Governor Ernie Fletcher’s Communications Office
Governor Fletcher Requests Disaster Assistance for Kentucky Farmers
Lower than normal temperatures destroyed many crops, letter states
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher has sent a request to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns requesting that USDA disaster assistance be made available to the farmers across the state due to the crop losses resulting from extremely cold temperatures that occurred April 5-10, 2007.
“Kentucky experienced lower than normal temperatures which destroyed many of the Commonwealth’s crops,” Governor Fletcher’s letter states. “From April 5-10, 2007 the average low temperature reported for the Bluegrass Area was 25 degrees. In early reports, it appears crops with a loss greater than thirty percent include: strawberries, alfalfa, wheat, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, blueberries and barley.”
“This damage was increased by the unseasonably warm temperatures in late March. The devastation was widespread throughout the state from Ashland to the Mississippi River. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture specialists estimate that winter wheat yields could be reduced at least 50 percent. Wheat accounted for $66 million in farmgate receipts to Kentucky growers in 2005. Early estimates report close to a 100 percent loss on orchards and first cuttings of alfalfa.”
Copy of the letter