Depending upon where you live, over 65% of Americans will be financially negatively affected by the drought of 2012. Ranchers in the Mid-West have been amongst some of the hardest hit by the drought due to the skyrocketing cost of grain to feed their livestock.
The Mississippi River has dropped to the lowest water table levels since July, 1988, when the St. Louis portion of the river hit -1.0, producing another problem for grain farmers who use this major transportation method when delivering their products across the country.
The even more grim news is that late summer to early fall are the typically expected seasons for low water table levels in the river, but are now being hit with an even longer drought problem due to the unusually dry season of 2012.
Chicken farmers are paying in excess $9/bushel for corn (compared to $5 or less/bushel in the spring), driving up their costs to feed/produce chickens and other livestock. Within 6 to 9 weeks, we could be seeing the costs rising dramatically at the grocery stores. While chicken growers could use other products in their feed, corn is still a primary ingredient in the majority of food products we consume.
Corn touches just about everything humans and animals (including our pets) consume. The far reaching effects hit our pocket books more than we realize. From high fructose corn syrup, to animal feed and dinner on the table, corn is a stable in our daily diet.
Toxic corn
The scariest problem we face isn’t just the increased costs of corn but the potential for higher levels of toxins found in the crops produced in the Mid-West during the drought. From testing for toxic nitrate levels potentially found in feed raised during a drought to throwing tons of toxic feed away, the corn industry is already taking a hit and will undoubtedly pass it onto their customers.
If you live in the East, you’re amongst the blessed by one of the best corn seasons in years. Record high corn sales and profits have been exceptional for farmers in North Carolina, mostly due to the drought. However, the blessing will be a highly sought after commodity, once the final figures are tallied and we see the onslaught of the drought hit our local marketplace in late fall.
Even though, current samples haven’t revealed high levels of toxins, late-season rains could cause already mature plants to draw nitrogen out of the soil and into the stalks. Dry seasons cause nitrogen to build up chemically toxic levels in the bottom of the stalk. When it does rain, the plant naturally draws from the nitrogen in the soil, passing upward through the stalks making the outcome much more toxic from the build-up than what is acceptable. Testing is the only way to keep a watchful eye on the produce before it comes to market. Not since the late ‘80s have farmers had to test their products due to a drought.
So far, so good but stay tuned. Two months of dry weather and high heat that stunted plants and shriveled ears likely caused the absorption of excessive amounts of nitrogen, experts say. Instead of being distributed safely through the plant, the chemical builds up in the lower portions of the stalk at potentially toxic levels. Not since the drought of 1988 have farmers had to be concerned with toxic build up and testing of their crops.
Silage, made to feed cows and sheep, also presents another problem should it become toxic from high levels of nitrates due to their being easily absorbed into the animals blood stream. Should these levels rise the cost of feed will increase driving the meat costs upward, as well.
If you are able, start freezing fresh produce now and stock up for a long winter on meat and other items affected by the corn crops. Waiting too late may drive your food bill higher in the upcoming fall and winter months.
Quick Tips for Wellness: Store now for later. Your pocketbook will thank you in the long winter ahead.
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