Agriculture losses from the historic drought gripping Oklahoma are estimated at more than $2 billion and climbing. That figure was announced by Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Jim Reese during Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Drought Recovery Summit Aug. 30.
The figure includes losses for both livestock and grain producers. Reese said the number could grow substantially as the drought intensifies.
“The one billion dollars worth of cow crop that will not be harvested next year because we have sold those cows is significant,” said Reese.
Reese added his loss estimate did not include the higher cost of feed stocks as a result of the drought, but he remains optimistic the state’s agriculture industry will survive this natural disaster.
“It will rain again and it will get better,” Reese said. “The crop losses can be partially offset with crop insurance and there are programs to help livestock producers.”
More than 100 Oklahoma agriculture producers attended the drought summit. OFB President Mike Spradling said the conference focused on helping people recover from this on-going natural disaster.
“The information gained here today will help these guys cope with the stark realities of this severe drought,” Spradling said.
Dr. Duane Gill, Oklahoma State University Sociologist, told the group it is okay to ask for help.
“In stressful times like this it is hard to keep yourself in good mental health,” Gill said. “Droughts are one of the most miserable natural disasters that you can experience. It takes a toll mentally, physically, psychologically. You just need to be aware of those strains and reach out to others.”
That was good advice, especially considering the prediction by the state’s climatologist Gary McManus.
“There is better than a 50 percent chance of the La Nina effect returning this fall and winter and that could mean continued drought for Oklahoma,” McManus said.
If the drought continues into next spring, McManus said this would be a society changing event.
“This would be a shock to our system as many people today have not experienced this before,” McManus said.
The climatologist added a touch of good news, saying we are heading into our traditional second wet season of September and October. Also, a strong tropical storm could bring moisture into Oklahoma this fall.
