Climate and food production is a subject that needs more study in coming years but for now even the U.S. Agriculture Department finds it almost impossible to estimate the effects of one on the other. “They are very elaborate models,” said USDA’s chief economist Joseph Glauber. “Take into account all the fundamentals on crops and
Effect Of Climate Change Hard To Predict
Pasta Makers Fret As U.S. Durum Area Hits 50-Yr. Low
The U.S. wheat industry is bracing for a tight supply of premium pasta wheat this year after the USDA projected durum acres this week to be the lowest in 50 years as heavy rains and flooding prevented planting. Some industry specialists expect the number to get even smaller as the U.S. Department of Agriculture surveyed
U.S. to seek Canadian durum as U.S. acres plummet
The U.S. wheat industry is bracing for a tight supply of premium pasta wheat this year after the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected durum acres this week to be the lowest in 50 years as heavy rains and flooding prevented seeding. Some industry specialists expect the number to get even smaller as the U.S. Department
U.S. Corn Farmers At Crunch Time On Planting
U.S. farmers who lag planting corn due to a soggy spring will still opt to seed corn rather than take an insurance payout or plant soy if their farms usually run high yields, a University of Illinois economist said June 3. “Farms with higher expected yields will find planting corn more attractive than taking the
Seed Maker Pioneer Races For Crops As Climate Changes
Achanging climate that many scientists fear will hurt global crop production means seed makers must work harder to meet food needs as world population grows by 30 per cent by 2050, a top world seed executive said. “Agriculture production is moving to the North because those climates are becoming warmer. Some of those environments are
N.D. wheat, corn acres losing to soy, sunflower
Farmers in the top wheat state of North Dakota will not get all their intended wheat, corn and canola acres seeded this spring due to heavy rains and flooding, an executive of a U.S. wheat group said Friday. “No question the increased intentions on wheat, corn and canola will not be met in North Dakota
Analyst Says Demand To Keep U.S. Wheat Prices High
U.S. wheat prices will stay at historically high levels this year given strong global food demand but they will not top the record highs seen in 2008, a top commodities market analyst said Feb. 9. “The trend is clearly up. I don’t think under any circumstance are we going to see anything close to what
U.S. Biodiesel On Life Support, But Smiling
Biodiesel, still a moneylosing proposition in the United States compared to oil-based diesel, is about to have its best year ever thanks to government tax credits and usage mandates. But it will take months for the biodiesel industry to bounce back after being stranded last year, when the government let its six-year subs idy expi
La Niña Seen Keeping U.S. And Argentina Dry
The U.S. Plains and Argentina, two of the world’s top grain-production areas, will remain dry for the foreseeable future due to a strong La Nińa which is likely to hang on for months, a forecaster said Jan 5. “The southern plains dryness is of real concern. We see no sign of that changing anytime soon,”
Vilsack Says E15 Decision Underscores U. S. Support
U. S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Oct. 13 the government’s decision to boost the amount of ethanol allowed in U. S. gasoline was a strong signal the Obama administration will establish a strong U. S. ethanol industry. “Today’s announcement on E15 for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond is a positive signal that we
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