KEY TAKEAWAYS: Flooding from Tropical Storm Arthur caused an estimated $112 million in agricultural losses across Louisiana. More than 190,000 acres of crops were damaged or destroyed, with soybeans accounting for the largest losses at nearly $33 million. Avoyelles Parish suffered the most sev ere damage, representing more than 60% of the statewide economic impact. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain plans to seek federal disaster assistance, including a USDA disaster declaration and additional congressional funding.   Flooding from Tropical Storm Arthur on June 18-19 created more than $112 million in agriculture losses in Louisiana from row crops to beehives, where more than 800 queens were lost, according to an LSU AgCenter survey and Agriculture Commission Mike Strain. The most extensive damage occurred in Avoyelles Parish, where nearly 30 inches of rain in 24 hours drowned crops, animals, equipment and infrastructure, but producers in Catahoula, Concordia, Evangeline, Pointe Coupee, Rapides and St. Landry parishes also suffered losses. “The vast majority of losses were concentrated in Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides parishes, which together accounted for nearly 90% of the total estimated damages,” LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry said. “Avoyelles Parish alone represented more than 60% of the statewide impact, reflecting the extreme rainfall and flooding experienced within the parish.” Information collected from the survey along with insights from AgCenter crop production specialists were combined with production, market and cost data to estimate the economic impact of the storm on Louisiana agriculture, Guidry said. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain told USA Today Network he will use the data to make a case for federal aid. Strain toured the parishes during and after the storm. “There were times we had water up to the headlights,” Strain said. “This was a huge economic loss.” Strain said he is confident U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will issue a USDA disaster declaration that will unlock some federal programs. “But at the end of the day we’re going to have to seek additional funding through our congressional delegation,” Strain said. “We’ll be in Washington as soon as Congress returns from the August recess.” The AgCenter’s survey show more than 190,000 acres of row crops were damaged or destroyed, including soybeans, rice, grain sorghum, sugarcane and corn in addition to previously harvested and stored crops. Guidry also said machinery, storage facilities, farm buildings and fencing were damaged or destroyed and 56 livestock animals were lost. Strain told USA Today 1,100 bee hives were destroyed with 800 queens lost. “It was a devastating storm for agriculture,” he said. Soybeans accounted for the largest share of losses at nearly $33 million, followed by sugarcane ($23.1million), rice ($15.8 million) and corn ($14.7 million). Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Tropical Storm Arthur caused massive agriculture losses in Louisiana Reporting by Greg Hilburn, Shreveport Times / Shreveport Times USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less