Burke declared disaster area due to Easter freeze
By Anne Marie Kyzer

Burke County has been included in a disaster declaration due to freezing temperatures that struck Easter weekend.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's declaration makes producers in 158 counties in Georgia eligible for low-interest emergency loans.

Corn, wheat and blueberries took the hardest hit in Burke County, according to Cooperative Extension Coordinator Will Duffie.

Burke County Farm Service Agency Executive Director Tommy Bryan added that pecan trees suffered quite a bit of damage as well.

Much of the young corn crop that was planted just weeks before the early April freeze was burned and around 15 percent or 1,800 acres had to be replanted, Duffie said.

Among the small grains fields being harvested in Burke County, Duffie said growers are seeing losses between 40-50 percent.

Dick Byne's blueberry crop was wiped out when temperatures on his farm dipped down to 23 degrees Easter morning. Byne estimated losses to be around 95 percent.

Statewide, blueberry producers saw similar devastation, losing about 86 percent of Georgia's crop and nearly $70 million, according to a release from Governor Sonny Perdue's office. Georgia's small grains producers are expected to see about a 40 percent loss, and hay, forage and pasture losses totaled $47.8 million or 41 percent of their normal value.

Bryan said farmers may have to take advantage of the loans, depending on the size of their loss and their financial situation.

Producers must show a 30 percent loss to participate in the program.

"The farmers just don't want another loan…or can't afford another loan," Bryan said. "They're already strapped."

Given the dry conditions that have prevailed over the past several months, this may not be the only disaster declared for Burke County this year.

Bryan anticipates government officials will request a drought damage assessment report this year as well. Such a request must be made before any declarations are made.

"All they have to do is ask," Bryan said. "We're ready."