TIP/PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPACT OF MIDWEST FLOODING
While southern Wisconsin may finally see a chance to dry out this week after waves of unprecedented rainfall and flooding, the larger impact on the region is only beginning to be assessed. Experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are available to discuss some of the economic and policy implications of the catastrophic floods.
(Media-Newswire.com) - While southern Wisconsin may finally see a chance to dry out this week after waves of unprecedented rainfall and flooding, the larger impact on the region is only beginning to be assessed. Experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are available to discuss some of the economic and policy implications of the catastrophic floods.
- What is the impact on crops? A number of faculty from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences can address this question. Joe Lauer is a professor of agronomy and an expert on the state's corn crop. Shawn Conley is an assistant professor of agronomy who studies soybeans and wheat. Both have followed the flooding situation closely and are advising farmers in affected regions of their options in the face of crop losses. A.J. Bussan, an associate professor of horticulture, is an expert on the state's vegetable crops and can address impacts for this sector.
Lauer can be reached at ( 608 ) 263-7438, jglauer@wisc.edu; Conley at ( 608 ) 262-7975, spconley@wisc.edu; and Bussan at ( 608 ) 262-3519, ajbussan@wisc.edu.
- Can affected fields be replanted? Chris Boerboom, a weed scientist for UW-Madison and UW-Extension, has looked at the effect of rain and flooding on herbicide applications and farmers' options for replanting.
Boerboom can be reached at ( 608 ) 262-1392, boerboom@facstaff.wisc.edu.
- Will flooding affect food prices? Brian Gould and Randy Fortenbery, both professors of agricultural and applied economics, study trends in food prices and demand. Gould's specialty is dairy, and Fortenbery looks at grain markets.
Gould can be reached at ( 608 ) 263-3212, bwgould@wisc.edu; Fortenbery at ( 608 ) 262-4908, trforten@wisc.edu.
- Is food that has been in contact with floodwaters safe to eat? UW-Madison food extension specialist Barb Ingham developed and maintains a Web site for consumers on food safety - http://www.wisc.edu/foodsafety/ - and can answer questions about which foods can be salvaged after flooding. To reach Ingham, please contact Michael Penn at ( 608 ) 262-2679, mpenn@wisc.edu.
- Where will farmers without crop insurance turn for aid? Paul Mitchell, an assistant professor and extension specialist in agricultural and applied economics, has written a document for UW-Extension about disaster assistance for farmers, available here: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/issues/documents/Disaster2008.pdf.
Mitchell can be reached at ( 608 ) 265-6514, pdmitchell@wisc.edu.
- What are the factors that increase flood damage? Geography professor James Knox can discuss some of the geographical and environmental factors that affect river floods, including land cover, land use changes and climate, and how they may influence water runoff patterns and flood recurrence intervals.
Knox can be reached at ( 608 ) 262-1804, knox@geography.wisc.edu.
- What are the infrastructure concerns that remain? Engineering professional development professor Patrick Eagan is an expert in stormwater management and the potential effects of climate change on water resources and infrastructure. Associate professor of civil and environmental engineering Michael Oliva is an expert in structural engineering, structural testing and development of structural design methods, particularly as they relate to bridge design. Civil and environmental engineering professor Kenneth Potter can discuss stormwater management and flooding-related infrastructure issues. Gary Whited, program manager for the UW-Madison Construction and Materials Support Center, is former Wisconsin Department of Transportation ( DOT ) administrator, director of the Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Highway Construction and state materials engineer.
Eagan can be reached at ( 608 ) 263-7429, eagan@engr.wisc.edu; Oliva at ( 608 ) 262-7241, oliva@engr.wisc.edu; Potter at ( 608 ) 262-0040, kwpotter@facstaff.wisc.edu; and Whited at ( 608 ) 262-7243, whited@engr.wisc.edu.
###
Related Content
Release Date
This story was released on 2008-06-17. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.