U.S. declares drought-stricken states largest natural disaster area ever

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Quigley_Sharps, Jul 12, 2012.


  1. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    drought-map-lg. (USDA)

    The United States Department of Agriculture has declared natural disaster areas in more than 1,000 counties and 26 drought-stricken states, making it the largest natural disaster in America ever.
    The declaration—which covers roughly half of the country—gives farmers and ranchers devastated by drought access to federal aid, including low-interest emergency loans.
    "Agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsacksaid Wednesday while announcing the assistance program. "We need to be cognizant of the fact that drought and weather conditions have severely impacted farmers around the country."
    [Also read: First half of year hottest ever]
    According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half the country (56 percent) experienced drought conditions—the largest percentage in the 12-year history of the service. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the period from January through June was "the warmest first half of any year on record for the contiguous United States."
    The average temperature was 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.5 degrees above average, NOAA said on Monday. Twenty-eight states east of the Rockies set temperature records for the six-month period.
    A heat wave blistered most of the United States in June, with more than 170 all-time temperature records broken or tied during the month. On June 28 in Norton, Kan., for instance, the temperature reached 118 degrees, an all-time high. On June 26, Red Willow, Neb., set a temperature record of 115 degrees, eclipsing the 114-degree mark set in 1932.

     
  2. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    Just one more thing that will be driving hay prices through the roof for another year. Every time I look on Craigslist, there are broke horses being given away, or sold for a few hundred bucks. I'm tellin ya if I had any place to put them, and the money to feed them, I'd have an entire string of good, solid saddle horses right now. With square bales of bermuda going for $10-12 each, round bales at $100-125 already, I couldn't afford to feed them.
     
    Redneck Rebel likes this.
  3. Clyde

    Clyde Jet Set Tourer Administrator Founding Member

    Looks like the french are going to be happy this year. Lots of fresh horse meat heading across the northern border for slaughter. Think of all the jobs we exported to Canada.
     
  4. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    Wonder how the Kenyan is going to blame this on Bush and then promise to bring rain? "I"...his favorite word.
     
  5. bgner

    bgner Monkey

    Food prices will rise again.....corn products especially. Saw canned corn on sale for .58 at Kroger, gonna go buy 3 flats of 24. Time to stock up is NOW. Heard it will be Sept. of this year when prices start to rise. Corn syrup, corn oil, etc. What grocery/everyday items does everyone expect the price of corn to increase?
     
  6. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    http://www.agweb.com/article/is_the_corn_crop_beyond_recovery/
    http://www.agweb.com/article/grains_surge_higher_as_crop_conditions_continue_to_slide/
    http://www.bhpioneer.com/local_news/article_0a71af28-cd42-11e1-b86f-001a4bcf887a.html

    Everything I have read lately points to tough times in the market for anything and everything tied to corn= 75% of product on store shelves. Ranchers are selling off their cattle in advance on next year due to the high cost of feed anticipated. That will lead to lower cost this year for meat, but next year there are going to be shortages. I would recommend buying plenty of beef for the freezer now, next year is goig to get pricey for hamburger let alone a nice steak!!

    If Obummer stays in office, Bush tax extension expires and the health care cost are as bad as suspected- the list just goes on as we all know!! There is not going to be anyone out there not hurting due to cost of a simple meal to feed the family on a daily basis.
     
  7. bgner

    bgner Monkey

    Yes, I have stocked up on sugar for the last yr or so, I have quite a supply now. But Im confused about 75% of the food products in the grocery store contain corn or corn by products such as corn syrup. What else should we be stocking up on now that contains sugar? A few I'm sure of are:
    Syrup
    Cereals
    Canned Fruit
    Poptarts/breakfast bars
    Most canned Juices
    Cake, Brownie mixes, Cake frosting

    Most of the items Ive listed above have a year or less shelf life with the exception of the canned fruit. Anyone out there that can advise on other items that contain corn products or corn by products? I want to stock up before Sept. when the prices rise.
     
  8. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    If it isn't already in your storage, you don't use enough of it to worry about. So pull things out of the pantry and read the labels, it'll be self evident what you need to load up on.
     
  9. TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Monkey++

    It is a good time to wean yourself off corn anyway.

    Way too many empty carbohydrate calories, this is part of the diet that makes people fat and diabetic.
     
    TnAndy likes this.
  10. bgner

    bgner Monkey

    No way I can do away with CORNBREAD and beans. [OO]
     
    bountyhunter likes this.
  11. TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Monkey++

    I like that too.

    What I mean is corn is in everything or nearly so, it is used as cheap filler and sweetener.

    Time to eat more meat and vegetables, corn is not a vegetable.
     
  12. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    Some of the locals have irrigated corn fields and they're beautiful. I'm buying a bunch from them both for canning and storing whole for feed and cornmeal.

    Whatever isn't irrigated though, is burning up. The spring rains put a stall on planting cotton, and now it's looking stunted and sad. Saw some milo fields the other day that had huge dead patches all through it.
     
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