Governor Walker requests USDA Disaster Designation for crop losses in 10 counties

Losses due to freezing temperatures in May 2016

Today, Monday, November 28, 2016, Governor Scott Walker requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for producers in 10 Wisconsin counties, who suffered crop losses following freezing temperatures in May.

The counties included are Chippewa, Columbia, Eau Claire, Jackson, Jefferson, Pierce, Polk, Sauk, St. Croix, and Trempealeau.

The 10 counties experienced frost and freezing temperatures recorded on the nights of May 13 and 14, with temperatures reaching as low as 25 degrees.

Certain crops were affected greatly due to these low temperatures, such as apples and other perennial crops that had begun to blossom or bud.

All counties impacted have experienced harvest losses of 30 percent or greater for apples, asparagus, blueberries, hops, and strawberries.

Governor Walker asked USDA Secretary Vilsack for the disaster designation following the harvest so crop losses could be fully determined.