It may be tempting to ignore tree stumps and tree debris left over from hurricanes because of the expense of removal. But if let go long enough, this can lead to a nuisance far more expensive to clean up – carpenter ants.

File contains a copy of the letter Governor Jindal sent to Congress requesting aid for Louisiana in the wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Louisiana’s sweet potato harvest had not really begun before the storm – with only a few producers conducting any part of their harvest.

Commercial timber and forest damage associated with Hurricane Gustav in 2008 was neither as widespread nor as acute as was damage associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

The pecan industry in the state was extremely hard hit by Hurricane Gustav.

Before Hurricane Gustav, the Louisiana rice crop was looking to be one of the best ever – although input costs also were the highest farmers had seen.

Only a small percentage of the state’s soybean crop was harvested prior to Hurricane Gustav, and damage to the crop so far is estimated at more than $115 million or nearly 28 percent of this year’s anticipated value.

Most of the state’s corn crop was harvested prior to Hurricane Gustav, but damage still is $45.8 million or nearly 11 percent of the crop value.

Estimates of losses to Louisiana agriculture, forestry and fisheries resulting from Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike now place the totals as high as $950-plus million and climbing. The totals include up to $763 million in lost revenue to Louisiana farmers, ranchers, foresters and fishers, as well as another $175 million to $200 million in damage to the industries’ infrastructure – farm equipment, barns, processing facilities and so forth.

The link below takes you to the USDA-FSA Disaster Assistance Page which lists information and links to all current USDA disaster assistance programs.