US disaster aid won't cover lost crops in Midwest floods, farmers out millions of dollars

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The flood disaster in the midwest rages on. Historic river flooding from rapid snow melt and ice jams is leaving parts of many states underwater.

Record flooding that has overwhelmed the midwestern United States this spring has taken a significant toll on farmers, and the U.S. disaster aid isn't covering crops lost by the floods.

The federal policy states that the grain damaged from flooded river water has to be destroyed, and according to Reuters there’s nothing the U.S. government can do about the millions of damaged crops under current laws or disaster-aid programs.

Reuters reports this is a problem the USDA has never seen on this scale before because U.S. farmers have never stored so much of their harvests.

Midwestern farmers have been storing their corn and soybeans in unprecedented amounts due to the U.S. and China trade war, according to the BBC.

This Monday, March 18, 2019 photo taken by the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol and provided by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, shows flooding along the Missouri River in rural Iowa north of Omaha, Neb. (Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management via AP)

Last year, the USDA made $12 billion in aid available to farmers who suffered trade-war losses, but there is no program to cover the catastrophic and largely uninsured stored-crop losses from the widespread flooding.

Nebraska's Gov. Pete Ricketts has estimated the losses to the agricultural sector alone at $1 billion. However, the damage doesn't stop there. States such as Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa were also greatly impacted.

AccuWeather estimated the total damage and economic loss caused by record-breaking flooding in the midwestern U.S. this spring will total $12.5 billion, based on an analysis of damages already inflicted and those expected by additional flooding, as well as the lingering health effects resulting from flooding and the disease caused by standing water.

Historic river flooding rages on throughout north-central US

The flooding erupted in the wake of a historic bomb cyclone, but Midwestern farmers remain on high alert for more rain and storms.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that above-average precipitation this spring could increase the flood risk across the country.

"The worst is probably over, but additional storms during the month of April may cause smaller-scale flooding. Of greater concern would be if the wet weather were to persist into May," AccuWeather Senior Commodity Forecaster Dale Mohler said.

A rapid snowmelt this spring has caused instances of stored grain being covered with floodwater which must be disposed of, according to a report released by Iowa State University (ISU).

“Flood-damaged grain is adulterated grain because of the potential for many contaminants to enter through the water. This grain should be destroyed, never blended. Contact local Department of Natural Resources officials for the best disposal process in your area. The recent Food Safety Modernization Act has increased public awareness of food and feed related hazards,” the ISU grain experts stated in the report.

On top of losing millions in crops, farmers are facing pricey facility damage. According to ISU experts, grains swell when wet, so bin damage is likely. Wood structures will be hard hit and may retain mold and contaminants.

ISU advises farmers to clean and disinfect facilities and grounds completely, then complete a careful food safety inspection before returning facilities to operation.

Not only does it impact their grain and facilities, but it also delays planting of this years crop, Mohler said.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau has launched relief efforts to aid Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities suffering from the natural disasters that have impacted the state. The relief efforts include the establishment of a disaster relief fund and launch of an online agriculture disaster exchange portal to connect those in need with those who can help.

NEFB has launched relief efforts to aid #Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities suffering from the natural disasters that have impacted the state, including the launch of an online agriculture disaster exchange portal. #Flood2019 #NebraskaStrong https://t.co/6gfbzIhsYY pic.twitter.com/TXhg4Kt8Ni — Nebraska Farm Bureau (@NEFarmBureau) March 15, 2019

Overall the storm in March was much more intense than the farmers expected, and they were not able to prepare in time.

"The storm caused more snow to melt quickly which contributed to a faster runoff and which increased the flooding. It can take days to move the grain to higher ground and there was only a few days' notice," Mohler said.

"Keep in mind the flooded acreage is only a small percentage of the overall acreage which will be planted this spring. Of bigger concern is grain harvested from last year which was thought to be in a safe place, but in reality it was not because it got flooded out, rendering it useless," Mohler said.

The overall price of grain has been depressed by multiple years of good to excellent crops.

"High supply without a large increase in demand led to a lot of grain being stored. Farmers want to get the highest price they can for their grain, so they have been waiting for higher prices to sell, now some it has been flooded out," Mohler said.

According to Mohler, another weather event that caused the farmers suffer was a drought in the summer of 2012. The drought caused significant corn and soybean losses across the Midwest.