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NC Ag Department confirms 55-hundred swine losses

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture says 55-hundred swine losses have been reported from Hurricane Florence damage. That’s about twice the number from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but well under the 21-thousand pig deaths in Hurricane Floyd 22 years ago.

The North Carolina Pork Council says farmers have taken “extraordinary” measures ahead of the storm, moving thousands of animals to safe locations as Florence approached. Floodwaters continue to rise but the council says they don’t expect losses to greatly increase.

Nearly 9-Million hogs are raised in North Carolina on 21-hundred farms.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.