USDA's early estimates are that Hurricane Katrina did nearly
$900 million in damage to U.S. ag production. But the storm was
outdone by the summer drought in the central Corn Belt. Dry
conditions in this region were responsible for nearly $1.3
billion in corn and soybean crop losses alone. Corn losses were
concentrated in Illinois and Missouri, with no measurable losses
in Indiana or Ohio, USDA reports. The damage estimate for
Katrina covered only 2005 crop and livestock production losses
in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee and
did not include damage to infrastructure or long-term losses.
Corn and soybean losses were estimated at $31 million, with
short-term livestock losses at $30 million. Cotton losses in
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana were estimated at $40
million.