Walker's World: New food crisis looms
By MARTIN WALKER, UPI Editor EmeritusPublished: April 6, 2009
Alarm bells are starting to ring about another food crisis this summer. Last week's acreage report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that 7 million fewer acres were being planted for all crops. This came after the USDA's January report that noted that winter wheat acreage was down 7 percent.
This means lower output from the United States, the world's top food producer, at a time when world stocks are already low, and farmers are blaming the difficulty in getting credit and the high costs of key inputs like fertilizer.( see my post on manure!)
Mother Nature is making things worse, with the worst drought in almost 70 years hitting northern China and devastating the winter wheat crop. More than 200 million acres in China's top six grain-producing provinces have been hit, and yields are down by as much as 40 percent.
The problem is not just hitting grains. With world soybean stocks 9 percent lower than they were this time last year, a further drought in Latin America is a new concern. Yields in southern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina are also running at 40 percent of last year's levels. All this is triggering concern in the markets, where analysts are warning that price hikes are looming, and the speculators coming into the market could drive prices even higher.
Here are some more disturbing news items!
South Florida Suffering From Drought! Crops Could Suffer!
North Florida Suffering From Flooding! Crops Could Suffer!
Tornados EF-3 reported near Mena..homes, electricity, crops(?) affected
Worst flooding predicted for Georgia. Crops Could Suffer!
Farmers Scramble in the Carolinas due to latest cold snap! Crops Could Suffer!
Wintry Weather Slams Plains Wheat; Will The Crop Recover?
Drought, Cold Devastating Texas Crops
One needs to connect the dots...there is a very great and grim potential for food shortages starting this summer. You need to prepare. Whether you grow your own garden (please see our heirloom seed providers...Survival Seeds or TomatoFest..simply click on either banner located to the right) begin a home canning program (for home canning videos see Be prepared for the coming food shortage.
), or want to stock up on freeze dried food (see Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
CLICK HERE or American Family Safety)
I have also written several posts on how you can prepare, store and put up bulk food. Please peruse this blog to get more information. Take action and take care.
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