Hurt by rain, U.S. corn crop to fall short of demand

[phantom power]

WASHINGTON — Torrential rains and flooding in the Midwest could soon mean consumers face even higher prices for meat, eggs, dairy and other foods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday slashed its estimate for the volume of this year's corn crop because of wet and flooded fields, prompting corn prices to surge to new records on Chicago futures exchanges. Contracts for July delivery hit $6.73 a bushel, with prices for later months soaring above $7.25 per bushel, more than double 2006 levels.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-06-10-corn-food_N.htm

[kestrel91316]

1. This, plus the US selling off ALL its wheat reserves, does not bode well.

I am glad I have 25 lb of cornmeal set aside, and a bunch of rice and flour and beans.

[Zachstar]

2. Fuck just fuck

All I can say. Food banks are already almost bare....

This situation is a disaster waiting to happen. I look forward to the day we rely on hydroponics.

[Nihil]

3. It looks like the race is on then ...

In the red lane we have

> This situation is a disaster waiting to happen.

whilst in the blue lane we have

> I look forward to the day we rely on hydroponics.

They're under starter's orders and ... they're off!
:popcorn:

[Zachstar]

4. This is not a joke Nihil!

People are going to die due to malnutrition if you think that is funny then you can piss off.

Hydroponics is what we need because it can effectively grow large amounts of food in smaller areas less affected by surrounding climate.

[Nihil]

5. Oh yes it is!

You've pointed out that there is a race condition active at
this very moment:

> This situation is a disaster waiting to happen. I look forward
> to the day we rely on hydroponics.

I know that there is a food shortage disaster "waiting to happen".
I know that hydroponics is a good idea and am in favour of its use.
I also know that it too is still "waiting to happen" (i.e., at scales
large enough to help the numbers under thread of food shortages).

It is the helplessness that I feel in being able to influence either
side of the race that makes me say "Fuck it" then laugh because the
alternative is to work oneself into a panic-stricken state then cry.

> People are going to die due to malnutrition if you think that is
> funny then you can piss off.

People are going to die due to malnutrition full stop. No news there.
They have been doing since before you posted, are still doing during
our "conversation" and will continue to do so for long after this
forum has gone to the Elysian fields of the data world.

If you think that my gallows humour will make any difference to this
situation then you are just as wrong as if you think that your "piss off"
will change my outlook on life.

:popcorn:

You might find this hard to believe but you are *not* the only person
who cares about the future.