Surveys of American agriculture released Tuesday showed higher than expected crop damage driving commodity prices to record highs.
Corn jumped 1.7% to $8.39 a bushel while soybeans finished up 2.8% at $17.30 a bushel. In the last three months, corn prices have jumped 68%. Soybeans have jumped 39%. Continue reading
Food prices worldwide have jumped due to unusual weather patterns. Prices jumped 6% in July. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization food price index measures price changes for a basket of food including cereals, dairy and meat. The July index, while higher, is still below the all-time record in February 2011.
The FAO released a report for July when they normally avoid issuing a report. The given reason was the “exceptional market conditions” that the drought in the USA, excessive rains in Brazil and production problems in Russia have caused in the world supply. Continue reading
The drought in the Midwest is taking a toll on more than just farmers as rivers are drying up & water temperatures have risen to levels as high as 100 degrees.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that about 40,000 shovelnose sturgeon were killed last week in water as hot at 97 degrees. Illinois biologists are reporting tens of thousands largemouth and smallmouth bass died due to the torrid conditions. Continue reading
Nearly 220 counties in a dozen drought-stricken states were added Wednesday to the U.S. government’s list of natural disaster areas as the nation’s agriculture chief unveiled new help for frustrated, cash-strapped farmers and ranchers grappling with extreme dryness and heat.
Source: Yahoo! News – Half of US counties now considered disaster areas
Pastor Jim & Lori Bakker welcome John Shorey for Day 2 as they discuss the Window of the Lord’s Return on The Jim Bakker Show. Continue reading
A double-barreled dose of bad news came out Thursday: Not only did the drought worsen over the last week, but it’s likely to widen and intensify through the end of October, according to the seasonal outlook prepared by government forecasters. Continue reading
Save The Children has issued a statement saying that drought and continuing conflicts in Somalia threatens the recovery from famine in the country.
The charity group says an “urgent increase” of aid is needed to the region because most families in Somalia are still unable to deal with the effects of the ongoing drought. East Africa had the worst drought in 60 years in 2011 and the drought conditions continue. Attacks by Islamic terrorist groups are also weakening the food supply. Continue reading