LITTLE ROCK — Researchers say the economic impact of the drought on Arkansas beef cattle producers is estimated at $128 million.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture released a study Thursday that states the estimate is a conservative one and that losses are greater when community impact is taken into account.
The summer of 2011 was a dry one too, and this summer’s drought was a continuation of the dry conditions for many ranchers.
Extension officials said examining the reasons and the costs is the first step to helping the industry recover.
The study states the losses are equal to $141 per cow in Arkansas. Most Arkansas ranches have about three dozen head, which comes to a loss of about $5,000 per producer.
Read more in Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.