With continued rain in southern Wisconsin, families and farmers need resources to deal with flooding, power outages, and general disaster assistance.
General Flooding Information
The Disaster Handbook for Extension Agents includes a section of factsheets on drought and excessive heat. The Handbook was developed Wisconsin Cooperative Extension in 1994.
Additional resources can be found at the UW-Extension Disaster Management and Recovery website.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Wisconsin Farm Center features a number of support services for farmers and their families.
The EDEN website provides information on drought and other disaster and security issues.
North Dakota, which has a history of flooding problems, has an excellent web site with valuable response information.
Purdue University has also produced a
concise flood response handout.
Kansas State University provides information on salvaging and cleaning items in the home.
Food and Water Safety
USDA, CDC and other Government agencies provide information on this website.
Wisconsin provides food and safety information at this website.
The Red Cross website can be accessed here.
As a result of recent flooding, questions have been raised about the safety of consuming produce from gardens that were under water for a day or two. Find answers to those questions here.
Help for Farmers
Federal disaster assistance for vegetable
growers affected by recent floods and droughts. Many
conventional and organic fresh market vegetable growers were hit especially hard by recent flooding and heavy rainfall in parts of Wisconsin, while droughts have hit similar growers in other parts of Wisconsin. Given the federal
disaster declaration for some Wisconsin counties, many vegetable farmers are wondering about
the availability of federal assistance for their crop losses. This bulletin is a quick summary of
current federal programs available for these and other farmers and some basic recommendations.
The heavy August rains not only saturated soils in the regions, but in many cases floodwater deposited sediment on crop fields. This event brings into sight a potential for soil compaction from subsequent vehicular traffic used for agricultural operations. The following article discusses the soil compaction process and steps producers can take to limit its effects.
Given the lingering drought in the north and now flooding in the southwest and south, many producers will be looking at whether they have a crop insurance claim. This bulletin is a quick summary of things to
remember for farmers who bought crop insurance for their corn and/or soybeans.
Difficult alfalfa harvesting conditions sometimes result in farmers being off schedule for late summer harvesting alfalfa. Here is information about late summer cutting management of alfalfa.
The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provides information about state resources for families and farmers dealing with the current flooding.
Equipment for Harvesting Lodged "Down" Corn. Lots of down corn from the August storms. Here is a list of manufacturers that sell equipment for picking up downed corn.
The quick transition from extremely dry to very wet conditions poses some challenges for fruit growers. Here is some information about working with these challenges.
Flood 2004 Archives
In May 2004, heavy late spring rains left fields in some parts of the state underwater, delaying planting and damaging crops already in the ground. University of Wisconsin-Extension responded with assessments of the damage and advice for farmers.
Forage Emergency
Dairy farmers face a winter with short forage supplies. In a “forage emergency,” it’s important to plan now to have enough feed for the winter.
Crop Insurance
William Edwards, economist at Iowa State University , provides details about crop insurance coverage when planting is delayed: Delayed and Prevented Planting Provisions for Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MS Word)
More information about crop insurance can be found at these two web sites:
http://www.agmanager.info/crops/insurance/default.asp
http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/
Additional information
Did recent heavy rains damage your fields and recently planted crops?
Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection encourages farmers to participate in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to reduce runoff damage and improve water quality. Read the news release.
What do you do if standing water has damaged alfalfa that was cut and left in the field?
UW-Extension forage specialists Dennis Cosgrove and Dan Undersander explain how to assess the damage and how to handle the material.
Harvesting Wet Alfalfa Fields (PDF)
Here's how to evaluate the condition of flooded alfalfa crops.
Evaluating Alfalfa Stands for Water Damage (PDF)
The recent "monsoon season" will affect the weeds we see on the landscape.
Weeds of Wet Weather (PDF)
Jerry Doll, UW-Extension Weed Scientist
What happened to herbicides applied before the rains came? You need to know the answer if you want to replant drowned fields.
Herbicides, Rain and Replanting (PDF)
Chris Boerboom, UW-Extension Weed Scientist
If floodwaters invaded homes and offices, it can be difficult to figure out what can be salvaged. This PowerPoint provides a set of "decision trees" for making these decisions. Marilyn Herman, now family living educator for UW-Extension in Waupaca County, developed this resource while working for Extension in Minnesota.
Flood Damage
If flooding has delayed corn planting, farmers may be thinking of planting soybeans instead this year. Here's the rundown on when to make that decision.
When Could Grain Farmers Switch Fields from Corn to Soybean? (PDF)
Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist
Agricultural economist, Bruce Jones, created a spreadsheet to help farmers figure on the economics of the decision about planting corn late or switching to soybeans.
Corn Yield Needed on Re-Planted Acres to Achieve Returns Equal to an Alternative Crop
How to assess the damage to young crops now and what to look for later in the season if the flooded crop survives:
Flooding Impacts on Corn Growth and Yield (PDF)
Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist
Whether you are replanting or late planting, here are guidelines for making management decisions:
Things to Consider for Late- or Re-Planting Corn (PDF)
Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist
Did the rains wash or leach nitrogen from the soil? Here's how to determine if you need to apply additional nitrogen:
Evaluating Nitrogen Losses Following Excessive Rainfall (PDF)
Larry G. Bundy, UW-Extension Soil Scientist
Soybean farmers have lots of questions when wet fields delay planting or damage crops already in the ground. Here are some answers from:
Soybean management and excess soil moisture (PDF)
Roger Borges, Extension Soybean and Small Grain Specialist
