How does flood affect agriculture

Jun 7, Blog , Water Trends. Flood damage can impact an agricultural operation in many ways. Not only can a flood make a field unsuitable for planting, but it can also ruin crops that have already been harvested. As floods grow more common in many parts of the country due to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, ag professionals will have to find ways to mitigate the risk of flood damage to their crops and farmland investments.

This article will take a look at the impact of flood damage in agriculture, as well as ways that ag lenders can use data-driven intelligence to address these risks.

In the U. But the American West is also at risk of increased flooding, as changing rainfall patterns lead to less snowpack and more streamflow in the spring. These areas may experience increased runoff and soil depletion, diminishing their value as farmland. In the Midwest , flooding can lead to submerged fields, damaged crops, and drowned livestock. Not only are floods expected to become more frequent due to climate change, but the swings between wet and dry seasons can exacerbate the risk of flood damage.

Droughts can make farmland more susceptible to subsequent flooding when the two weather extremes happen one after the other. According to this study :. Flash floods represent a particular challenge because they can be hard to prepare for. The Journal of Hydrology looked at the impacts of flash flooding in the period between and Farmers need an extra dose of patience and persistence in these times.

The first step is to clean up the land by removing debris and draining water from the fields. Crops must also be evaluated for damage and disease and then separated from other plants that are healthy. To reverse nitrogen loss, estimate the amount of loss and then apply fertilizers or plant crops such as legumes. Diseases may also be managed with fungicides but this can also increase production costs.

Choose weed control with caution as some could cause further damage or simply be ineffective depending on the season it is applied. Farmers must work diligently to restore the health of their soil in order for agricultural productivity to flourish after a flood. Research from both the Met Office and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that rainfall is becoming more extreme in the UK and this will continue in years to come. DEFRA has responded by insisting that flood management is still a high priority.

Furthermore the budget for the next couple years allows for a further , households to be protected in the near future. For instance, Yorkshire farmers have complained that their livelihoods are at risk because maintenance will stop on the River Swale and Ure due of lack of EA funding.

The concern is this will significantly increase chance of farmland flooding and severely impact business.