Early estimates from Louisiana State University Extension Service place revenue losses to Hurricane Gustav at more than $400 million for major crops and aquaculture; however, this estimate does not include damage to infrastructure and stored commodities.
Cotton was hit hardest with an estimated loss of US $112 million in lint and cottonseed. Yield losses are predicted to range from 30% to 65%, with reduced quality for much of the remaining crop. Sugarcane losses are placed at $72 million; soybeans, $61 million; corn, $46 million; and rice, $30 million. The sweet potato crop loss estimates are $27 million.
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