As South Carolinians awoke to strong winds, downed trees, flooded streets, and power outages on Friday, the effects of Hurricane Helene will also be felt throughout the state’s agricultural industry, particularly with its cotton and soy crops.
“Most fields have open bolls at this time, so the storm will be an issue,” said Michael Jones, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service cotton specialist. The service notes that cotton fiber degrades with water produced by storms, with many farmers waiting to defoliate until after the storm passes. Jones says that wet ground and tangled plants will also make it difficult to use heavy equipment while harvesting.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 225,000 acres of cotton were planted in South Carolina in 2024.
South Carolina’s soybean crops are also at risk for damage. Clemson Extension corn and soybean specialist Michael Plumblee says that about 25% of the state’s soybean crop has reached maturity, with most of the crop beginning to drop leaves.
The good news is that Hurricane Helene will help alleviate drought-like conditions in some areas, but the heavy winds could accelerate leaf drop on mature soybeans, impacting harvest efficiency.
The USDA reports that 390,000 acres of soybeans were planted in South Carolina in 2024.
