Extreme heat and periods of drought this summer will likely lead to losses in several of Louisiana’s agricultural sectors, according to economists from the LSU AgCenter. The worst losses are expected in the beef cattle sector, they suggest, as reduced hay production, the forced downsizing of cattle herds and other factors could lead to estimated losses of $135 million to $290 million.
“Certainly, the entire agricultural industry is going to have some impacts from excessive heat and drought, but with beef cattle, they’re getting hit on several fronts,” said AgCenter economist Kurt…
