 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
Flooding in the state has not only wreaked havoc on homes and businesses, but is destroying thousands of acres of Arkansas crops.
Wheat fields in counties throughout eastern and central Arkansas have been under water for days.
This time last year, wheat farmers were hit with a big freeze. Now, it's the high water.
(Bob Schaeffers, Farmer) "The water has gotten down here and just covered the whole wheat field."
Bob Schaeffers looks out over his neighbor's wheat field. Just like several of his own, it's been flooded by runoff that would normally flow into the nearby Arkansas River.
(Schaeffers) "This water's going to be here for a few days, and it's already been here for a week. It's probably not salvageable."
Tens of thousands of acres of wheat across the state are under water. The UA Cooperative Extension Service says much of it will be ruined.
(Jason Kelley, UA Cooperative Extension Wheat Specialist) "What we're going to see is wheat under water just a couple of days. Where water gets off, it will be ok. But with the fields where water's been on it a week or more, wheat's going downhill pretty quick."
The blow comes just as the price of wheat hits an historic $10 a bushel. It will mean a loss of millions of dollars in the state.
(Kelley) "You've got 5-10 dollar wheat already sold a bushel, and a 50, 60, 70 bushel potential. That's quite a bit of money out there."
Bob expects to lose about $50,000, but says he'll just shift gears and plant soybeans once the water finally goes down.
(Schaeffers) "It's not easy, but you can't just sit there and worry yourself to death with it. You've got to go on."
Most farmers have crop insurance, but it's still too early to tell what federal aid might become available.
Channel 7 News to leave comments on news stories.