In response to the four back-to-back hurricanes that pummeled Florida over the past six weeks, the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has established a Hurricane Recovery Task Force to assess damage in the state's $64 billion agriculture and natural resource industries and develop strategies for rapid recovery.

Richard Jones, UF interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said preliminary estimates by the task force indicate total losses from the storms will require months - and in some cases, years - for full recovery.

The task force includes UF/IFAS faculty and staff experts for every agricultural commodity produced in the state as well as related program areas such as infrastructure and support industries, natural resources and the environment.

"By early October, we will have a more complete assessment of the statewide situation, including the scope and geographic distribution of major damage, and response steps that are being initiated," Jones said.

"The task force will develop priorities for immediate response during the next six months, followed by long-term strategies for dealing with these and future hurricanes or disasters - both natural and man-made," he said.

The task force, which is headed by Larry Arrington, UF/IFAS dean for extension, and Wayne Smith, UF/IFAS interim dean for research, will use all available resources, including other state and federal agencies, trade associations and private organizations.

Early estimates from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services indicate total agricultural losses from hurricanes Charley and Frances exceed $2 billion. Losses from Ivan or Jeanne are not fully reported at this time.

Losses in the horticulture industry, including structural damage, exceed $600 million. In the citrus industry, crop losses and damage to packinghouses and related businesses, totaled more than $500 million. Crop loss in the vegetable industry exceeds $35 million while losses in the timber industry top $150 million. The dairy industry in South Florida and North Florida was hit hard, with an estimated $12 million in losses.

Specialized industries also suffered. For example, crop losses in the sod industry exceed $300 million, and losses in the honeybee industry are expected to range between $8 million and $13 million.

While almost every agricultural commodity had damage, early reports indicate minimal animal losses in the beef cattle industry. However, there is a tremendous need for debris removal and fence replacement that, when lumped with the rest of the agricultural infrastructure needs, tops the $200 million mark.