Cristobal Threatens Louisiana Agriculture

By Avery Davidson

The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture

Less than one week into the 2020 hurricane season Louisiana farmers and ranchers are facing a tropical system. Forecasters predict Cristobal will make landfall somewhere along the Louisiana Gulf coast as a strong tropical storm after intensifying on its trek northward.

“It appears this is going to be a Louisiana problem,” said WAFB Chief Meteorologist and LSU AgCenter Climatologist Jay Grymes. “The taller, more developed crops could certainly have impacts in terms of the winds.”

Tropical storm force winds from Cristobal could reach as far north as Alexandria, according to Grymes, and rain bands could spawn damaging tornadoes.

“I really think the biggest concern with this storm is going to be rainfall,” said Grymes. “Depending upon where rain bands set up, especially in the southeastern parishes, we could easily see some localized totals topping ten inches.”

For ranchers along the coast, storm surge is the threat, according to Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, DVM.

“Find the highest spot that you can move (cattle) and move them before the flooding starts,” said Strain. “Go ahead and put some water troughs and some feed troughs on that high ground. Normally if you feed them and you water them there, they will congregate there and you’ll be prepared if we get six feet of surge along the coast.”

Even after the storm is over, there is still a threat to livestock. According to Strain, cattle can show signs of anaplasmosis, liver fluke disease and anthrax.

“If your cattle are getting sick, call your veterinarian,” Strain said. “You know, after the storm, you really have to watch your cattle over the next six to eight months.”