BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A recent study by the University of Florida is helping to paint a more detailed picture of the impact Hurricane Helene had on the state' agricultural lane.

What You Need To Know

  • A study by the University of Florida is helping determine which areas of agriculture across the state were hit the hardest from Hurricane Helene

  • The study found that more than 6 million acres of land were affected, including one popular Brooksville farm
  • JG Ranch was hit hard by Helene, which left about 130 acres of land sitting under water
  • Those with the farm say crops have been set back by 30 to 45 days and it will be middle of December before they have anything to sell

The study collected responses from farmers to help determine which areas of the state were hit the hardest. Findings found that more than 6 million acres of agricultural land were affected by the storm.

Flooding from Helene was a setback that is continuing to be felt at a popular Brooksville farm.

Taking a ride in his golf cart across acreages of farmland, farmer Jeff Casey takes in the view.

“The first time is a shock. The second time is ‘Here we go again.' And the third time is, ‘Well, I wonder when the neighbor’s stuff is going to float in?’'” he said.

JG Ranch sits on 160 acres of farmland in Hernando County. In September, Hurricane Helene took a sizeable chunk for herself, leaving about 130 acres sitting under water.

“All the plants died and drowned," Casey said. "We replanted the whole entire garden.”

The most damage, he said, happened to the grass used to feed the cows. Cattle have also been forced to make-do with living on 10 acres.

“The cows have nothing to eat for the winter," he said. "So we started hay 45 days earlier than normal and with this El Nino that’s coming, we’re going to be 45 days longer at the other end during the spring drought. So instead of 120 days, we’re looking at almost 200 days of feeding hay.”

The storm has changed the way Casey operates on the farm, as Helene wiped out a good portion of crops, including strawberries. He says his crops have been set back by 30 to 45 days, so it will be middle of December before they have anything to sell.

“The east side of the field is trees, which shaded the wind force of the plants," Casey said. "So when you look from the east to the west, you can see good plants and it just goes down to almost nothing left.”

While Helene has left a considerable mark on the ranch, it hasn’t discouraged Casey, or the rest of the farm, from completing the task at hand.

“You just keep going forward and next season, is always what’s next," he said. "You have hope that you’re going to make it bigger next year.”

The University of Florida study also found the estimated annual production of impacted lands to be about $8.7 billion per year.