Much Higher Cost of Food Ahead

[Brother Strange]

Our food supply is in trouble and that translates into a higher cost of produce and meat toward the end of this year and much higher cost next year. There is trouble in the world's bread basket.

The USDA confirmed this suspicion yesterday: Plantings are trailing well behind last year's pace:

3% of the corn crop was planted, down from 48% a year ago.
3% of the soybean crop was planted, down from 9% a year ago.
34% of the spring wheat crop was planted, down from 39% a year ago.
19% of the cotton crop was planted, down from 30% a year ago.
56% of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent, up from 54% the previous week.

Take a look at this chart.


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m318/RayStrange/PlantingGraftof06and07.gif

Farmers almost everywhere are complaining that they have not even planted their various commodites yet. There is no chance for corn to be knee high by July as it would normally be. The lack of expected harvest of corn is only made worse by the prospects of the many ethanol plants that have cropped up everywhere competing for the greatly diminished harvest.

Rain has been the main culprit for the lack of planting of many crops. The fields have been too wet for too long. Adding to this awful specter is the rapidly disappearing of the Honey Bee for the purpose of polination. Beehives everywhere are imploding from mite infestation.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell and all NATIONS that forget God."

I understand that many precious famlies, children of God, are facing pressures of finances while trying to raise their beloved children. I sense the pressure than many of God's people are under. I greive, but I pray too:

My prayer is always that of Abraham. "O Lord, spare the righteous."

[tamor]

It makes one wonder how long before we start praying, "Lord come quickly."

[Emma Bontrager]

Grow a garden! Seriously.

[rgcraig]

Grow a garden! Seriously.

Got any land we can come pitch a tent on? :nod

[Brother Strange]

Well...

for the opportunists with some spare cash, there will be money made in the Commodities Futures Market. That is inevitable.

[Carpenter]

http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Commentary/Chicken_Little/Chicken_Little.jpg :slaphappy

[Hoovie]

Got any land we can come pitch a tent on? :nod

Just give up 25% of your yard.

[Hoovie]

Our food supply is in trouble and that translates into a higher cost of produce and meat toward the end of this year and much higher cost next year. There is trouble in the world's bread basket.

The USDA confirmed this suspicion yesterday: Plantings are trailing well behind last year's pace:

3% of the corn crop was planted, down from 48% a year ago.
3% of the soybean crop was planted, down from 9% a year ago.
34% of the spring wheat crop was planted, down from 39% a year ago.
19% of the cotton crop was planted, down from 30% a year ago.
56% of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent, up from 54% the previous week.

Take a look at this chart.


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m318/RayStrange/PlantingGraftof06and07.gif

Farmers almost everywhere are complaining that they have not even planted their various commodites yet. There is no chance for corn to be knee high by July as it would normally be. The lack of expected harvest of corn is only made worse by the prospects of the many ethanol plants that have cropped up everywhere competing for the greatly diminished harvest.

Rain has been the main culprit for the lack of planting of many crops. The fields have been too wet for too long. Adding to this awful specter is the rapidly disappearing of the Honey Bee for the purpose of polination. Beehives everywhere are imploding from mite infestation.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell and all NATIONS that forget God."

I understand that many precious famlies, children of God, are facing pressures of finances while trying to raise their beloved children. I sense the pressure than many of God's people are under. I greive, but I pray too:

My prayer is always that of Abraham. "O Lord, spare the righteous."

Coming from a family of farmers I know delayed planting means delayed harvest, but does not always translate into any significant shortages.

[Digging4Truth]

Grow a garden! Seriously.

Indeed...

I tilled myself 621 sq ft of garden this year...

We have tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper, egg plant, corn, okra, luffa, lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, jalapenos and a few other things and we also planted an apple tree, a nectarine tree, a Valencia Orange tree, a blueberry bush, a blackberry bush and a grape vine.

I have decided that my land should feed me and that, for me, I consider it fool hearty to rely on the grocery stores for my food supply.

[Digging4Truth]

Coming from a family of farmers I know delayed planting means delayed harvest, but does not always translate into any significant shortages.

True...

But they will play it for all its worth though.

[Ron]

It makes one wonder how long before we start praying, "Lord come quickly."

I and others I know, already have!:thumbsup

[Brother Strange]

I don't know anyone who is playing "Chicken Little." Certainly the sky is not falling.

But this is for Carpenter anyway:

Now you can add timber to the list. According to the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics, wood prices have inflated 13 cents last month alone -- the highest rate in more than 10 years. China seems to be consuming mind-boggling amounts of wood right now. This is reported by David Sulman, head of the Scottish Timber Trade Association.

The result will be much higher prices for wood products, including fencing and decking, if not outright shortages of materials.

But there is no one running around yelling, "The sky is falling." Unless of course you perceive negative news as such. In that case, you might need to change perspectives.

[Chan]

I don't know anyone who is playing "Chicken Little." Certainly the sky is not falling.

But this is for Carpenter anyway:

Now you can add timber to the list. According to the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics, wood prices have inflated 13 cents last month alone -- the highest rate in more than 10 years. China seems to be consuming mind-boggling amounts of wood right now. This is reported by David Sulman, head of the Scottish Timber Trade Association.

The result will be much higher prices for wood products, including fencing and decking, if not outright shortages of materials.

But there is no one running around yelling, "The sky is falling." Unless of course you perceive negative news as such. In that case, you might need to change perspectives.Of course, the reason for the higher prices is nothing other than greed. Just because there is greater demand or less supply (or both) does not necessitate that the people who provide the supply raise their prices. There is no "law of supply and demand," it's nothing more than greed.

[Theresa]

Of course, the reason for the higher prices is nothing other than greed. Just because there is greater demand or less supply (or both) does not necessitate that the people who provide the supply raise their prices. There is no "law of supply and demand," it's nothing more than greed.

exactly...

same can be said for gas prices!!!

[Theresa]

Indeed...

I tilled myself 621 sq ft of garden this year...

We have tomatoes, potatoes, bell pepper, egg plant, corn, okra, luffa, lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, jalapenos and a few other things and we also planted an apple tree, a nectarine tree, a Valencia Orange tree, a blueberry bush, a blackberry bush and a grape vine.

I have decided that my land should feed me and that, for me, I consider it fool hearty to rely on the grocery stores for my food supply.

I planted a garden this year..

tomatoes, onions, bannana peppers, mild and hot, jalapenos, red chilis, lettuce, cabbage, various herbs, spinach, strawberries..something else, I'm forgetting...

but I'm so proud of my little garden, it was SO much work and still is, but hopefully I'll reap from my efforts :)

But I had to wait to put it out, rain and unseasonably cold weather kept everything in pots for 2 extra weeks....

[Digging4Truth]

I planted a garden this year..

tomatoes, onions, bannana peppers, mild and hot, jalapenos, red chilis, lettuce, cabbage, various herbs, spinach, strawberries..something else, I'm forgetting...

but I'm so proud of my little garden, it was SO much work and still is, but hopefully I'll reap from my efforts :)

But I had to wait to put it out, rain and unseasonably cold weather kept everything in pots for 2 extra weeks....

I am so excited about my garden. We also planted onions... forgot to list that...1015Y sweet onions.

I spent quite a bit more on transplants than I thought I would have to this year. I will definitely be going from seed next year and trying to master the art of saving seed from this years crop.

Also I planted Purple Hull Peas... forgot those too.

I like the site http://www.seedsavers.org

They have great old strains of seeds from way back that are not genetically manipulated.

[Theresa]

I am so excited about my garden. We also planted onions... forgot to list that...1015Y sweet onions.

I spent quite a bit more on transplants than I thought I would have to this year. I will definitely be going from seed next year and trying to master the art of saving seed from this years crop.

Also I planted Purple Hull Peas... forgot those too.

I like the site http://www.seedsavers.org

They have great old strains of seeds from way back that are not genetically manipulated.


yeah, I have that catalogue - I didnt order anything this year, I may next year..see how well this year goes.

I have sweet onions and yellow Vidalia onions.

[jillian]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/honeybee_die_off

This is interesting ..

Also there was something on the news yesterday concerning the use of corn in the making of Ethanol. How it will affect our food production, because it will cause a shortage of corn. Corn is used in so many different foods, which is why they said the cost of food will go up by $50 per person, per week.

I caught the end of the report so I don't remember the exact details...

[Digging4Truth]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/honeybee_die_off

This is interesting ..

Also there was something on the news yesterday concerning the use of corn in the making of Ethanol. How it will affect our food production, because it will cause a shortage of corn. Corn is used in so many different foods, which is why they said the cost of food will go up by $50 per person, per week.

I caught the end of the report so I don't remember the exact details...

These statements (shortage of corn because of ethanol) are generally static stats.

If there is a market there is money to be made. If there is money to be made then there will be those who will meet that demand.

The corn we have now cannot support the emerging ethanol market but the supply level will change when the potential for profit is there.

The real reason to ask if there is a shortage is how many farmers are being paid to NOT produce corn while we deal with this "shortage".

Shortage scares like this are the propaganda people use to send more industry other countries.

[Brother Strange]

These statements (shortage of corn because of ethanol) are generally static stats.

If there is a market there is money to be made. If there is money to be made then there will be those who will meet that demand.

The corn we have now cannot support the emerging ethanol market but the supply level will change when the potential for profit is there.

The real reason to ask if there is a shortage is how many farmers are being paid to NOT produce corn while we deal with this "shortage".

Shortage scares like this are the propaganda people use to send more industry other countries.

As far as I know there is no shortage scare. As far as I know, there is no sky getting ready to fall. There is however, the spectre of considerable price in food price increases for many reasons, not the least of which is late planting, competing interests, and the falling dollar against almost every major currency. In fact, the falling dollar against the Euro is one of the main reason for the escalating gas price. However, there is some recent good news about the dollar as of yesterday.

Further, the inevitable spike in food price is no propaganda. It is a fact. But don't run for the hills just yet. The sky is not falling and there is no scare. No sense in people getting strung out with tension and become suicidal. It is not THAT bad. In fact, we are living in the best times in recorded history, as far as I know.

[Digging4Truth]

As far as I know there is no shortage scare. As far as I know, there is no sky getting ready to fall. There is however, the spectre of considerable price in food price increases for many reasons, not the least of which is late planting, competing interests, and the falling dollar against almost every major currency. In fact, the falling dollar against the Euro is one of the main reason for the escalating gas price. However, there is some recent good news about the dollar as of yesterday.

Further, the inevitable spike in food price is no propaganda. It is a fact. But don't run for the hills just yet. The sky is not falling and there is no scare. No sense in people getting strung out with tension and become suicidal. It is not THAT bad. In fact, we are living in the best times in recorded history, as far as I know.

As I noted in the opening sentence of my post... My references were concerning the mention in Jillians post about there being a possible shortage of corn in the future due to higher demand with the increasing popularity of ethanol as a fuel.

[Brother Strange]

Of course, the reason for the higher prices is nothing other than greed. Just because there is greater demand or less supply (or both) does not necessitate that the people who provide the supply raise their prices. There is no "law of supply and demand," it's nothing more than greed.

Of course it is "greed." That is the nature of the beast.

Every publicly traded equity is carefully examined by investors for many fundamentals of the Corporation. What is the business, how much does it earn, what is its debt/equity ratio, what is its price/earnings, what is its stock history, on and on. Foolish is the investor that does not do his research before investing in any industry.

When that business is not run effeciently with the bottom line in mind, the stockholders are going to shake it up and bring in new management to either reduce cost, raise prices or streamline the company to be more profitable for their shareholders. Management is charged with the responsibility to show a ever increasing bottom line.

It is the nature of the beast in the free markets.

[Praxeas]

Well...

for the opportunists with some spare cash, there will be money made in the Commodities Futures Market. That is inevitable.
Gee that was what I was thinking

[Scott Hutchinson]

Here is the thing times might get bad ,but God can still feed folks from a raven's mouth.

[ILG]

Here is the thing times might get bad ,but God can still feed folks from a raven's mouth.

Good point, Scott. Sometimes your simplicity gets to me....in a good way, I mean. You state the obvious in a way that people often overlook. I appreciate it!

[Brother Strange]

Good point, Scott. Sometimes your simplicity gets to me....in a good way, I mean. You state the obvious in a way that people often overlook. I appreciate it!

Does it mean that you are going to let the weeds have your garden?

[ILG]

Does it mean that you are going to let the weeds have your garden?

LOL! No, there are other good reasons to have a garden.

[Brother Strange]

LOL! No, there are other good reasons to have a garden.

Right!

Exercise!

[ILG]

Right!

Exercise!

Good fresh vegetables!

[Brother Strange]

Good fresh vegetables!

Oh!

But wouldn't you prefer good fresh vegetables via Ravens?

[ILG]

Oh!

But wouldn't you prefer good fresh vegetables via Ravens?

I think out of the garden is more reliable. :)

[Brother Strange]

I think out of the garden is more reliable. :)

I know.

Can't trust God, huh?

[SarahElizabeth]

DO NOT PANIC, EAT ORGANIC!

Organic foods are more expensive than nonorganic, but they are so much better for you!..Try eating organic for just ONE week and see if you don't feel better and lose weight!

http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html

http://www.diamondorganics.com/

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/indepth.food/organic/index.html

http://www.naturalcures.com/

[ILG]

I know.

Can't trust God, huh?

Well, God CAN feed people from ravens, BUT! he also helps those who help themselves.

[Brother Strange]

While still living in Houston, I planted a nice garden about 40 X 80 feet. I would go up on the week end and tend to it. I was very proud to survey my garden because I had every thing in it except potatoes. I had really worked hard. I even planted Heritage seed.

I had an enormous sense of pride as I watched the young sprouts coming up. I attected the weeds and insects with vengenace every week end.

I missed one week end. The next week end that I went to survey my beautiful garden, I arrived just in time to see the last twig being carried away by cutter ants.

You can't imagine how upset I was.

I did NOT cuss. :D

[ILG]

While still living in Houston, I planted a nice garden about 40 X 80 feet. I would go up on the week end and tend to it. I was very proud to survey my garden because I had every thing in it except potatoes. I had really worked hard. I even planted Heritage seed.

I had an enormous sense of pride as I watched the young sprouts coming up. I attected the weeds and insects with vengenace every week end.

I missed one week end. The next week end that I went to survey my beautiful garden, I arrived just in time to see the last twig being carried away by cutter ants.

You can't imagine how upset I was.

I did NOT cuss. :D

EEKS! That's horrible! So, do you do anything preventative now?

[Brother Strange]

EEKS! That's horrible! So, do you do anything preventative now?

Yeah.

I finally wiped out that species of ant. But, I've not had the energy to start all over again.

I had bought cases of pint and quart Mason and Kerr jars to put up everything in an root cellar that I was going to build. I sure had a lot of ambition but so far I've not been inspired to that extent since. Shortly afterwards all of my energies was spent on building a house. I had hoped to get my disc hooked up behind my tractor and go to work again, but that inspiration has not returned.

PRAY FOR ME! I am really a farmer by heart. :D

[Brother Strange]

However,

I did plant a lot of fruit trees that I'm proud of.

I set out five fig trees. I also palnted 4 peach trees, two Japanese Persimmons, a Loquat, 5 different species of Plumbs, two Apple trees, two Manderines, and something ese that skips my mind for the moment. I'm very proud of those trees.