The Corn Is Dying All Over America

[Ares]

All over America the corn is dying. If drought conditions persist in the middle part of the country, wheat and soybeans will be next. Weeks of intense heat combined with extraordinarily dry conditions have brought many U.S. corn farmers to the brink of total disaster. If there is not significant rainfall soon, many farmers will be financially ruined. This period of time is particularly important for corn because this is when pollination is supposed to happen. But the unprecedented heat and the extremely dry conditions are playing havoc with that process. With each passing day things get even worse. We have seen the price of a bushel of corn soar 41 percent since June 14th. That is an astounding rise. You may not eat much corn directly, but it is important to realize that corn or corn syrup is just about in everything these days. Just look at your food labels. In the United States today, approximately 75 percent of all processed foods contain corn. So a huge rise in the price of corn is going to be felt all over the supermarket. Corn is also widely used to feed livestock, and if this crisis continues we are going to see a significant rise in meat and dairy prices as well. Food prices in America have already been rising at a steady pace, and so this is definitely not welcome news.

The weather conditions in the middle part of the country during the last couple of months have been highly unusual. The following is from a recent article in the Los Angeles Times....

It's not that the Midwest hasn't been extremely hot before, and it's not that it hasn't been incredibly dry.

But it's unusual for a vast swath of the Midwest to be so very hot and so very dry for so very long -- particularly this early in the summer.

The current heat wave -- which is spurring comparisons to the catastrophic heat of 1936 -- is "out of whack," meteorologist Jim Keeney said Friday in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Corn crops typically pollinate and mature in June and early July. That is why this time of the year is so vitally important for corn. We have reached a make it or break it moment.

The following is how an Accuweather.com report described what is happening right now....

Either heat or drought can stress the stalks, but both can basically shut down the pollination process. When this happens few, small or no ears of corn form.

According to AccuWeather.com Agricultural Meteorologists, you can't raise a corn crop with less than an inch of rain over six weeks, combined with 100-degree and higher temperatures. However, these conditions have taken place in much of the southern corn belt through the week of July 4, 2012.

If pollination does not happen, corn farmers might as well give up.

Just check out what agricultural economist Chris Hurt said the other day....

"Pollination problems just can’t be overcome, even if the weather turns. There’s no turning back. There’s just failure."

At this point, half of all corn in the state of Indiana is already in poor shape.

With each passing day, the condition of the corn gets even worse.

As a recent article in the Chicago Tribune detailed, many farmers feel completely helpless at the moment....

Dave Kestel, who farms about 1,300 acres in Manhattan about 40 miles southwest of Chicago, said he feels helpless.

"Every day you get out there and it's the same heat and cloudless sky," he said. "You see your corn just withering out there, knowing you can't do anything about it."

The United States is suffering from a severe lack of rain. Just look at the chart posted below. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the country is experiencing drought conditions right now...

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/US-Drought-Monitor-July-2012-440x289.png

These drought conditions have also played a major role in the huge number of wildfires that we have seen lately.

There are a few northern states that are not feeling the drought right now, but otherwise the rest of the country is extremely dry.

So what does all of this mean for you and I?

A recent article by Holly Deyo summarized why we should all be praying for rain....

Since 75% of grocery store products use corn as a key ingredient, expect food prices to skyrocket. Corn is also a staple in many fast foods. Corn is in ethanol and the main food source or chickens. In addition to this, maize is in many things that aren't obvious like adhesives, aluminum, aspirin, clothing starch, cosmetics, cough syrup, dry cell batteries, envelopes, fiberglass insulation, gelatin capsules, ink, insecticides, paint, penicillin, powders, rugs and carpets, stamps, talcum, toothpaste, wallpaper, and vitamins. That's just for starters...

This is a huge heads up for you to purchase corn-using products NOW before these conditions reflect in grocery goods. It will be a narrow window of opportunity.

These thoughts are being echoed by many agricultural economists as well. According to Businessweek, the outlook for U.S. food prices is bleak....

"When people look at rising prices for hamburger, butter, eggs and other protein sources from higher corn costs, that’s when more money ends up in the food basket," said Minneapolis- based Michael Swanson, a senior agricultural economist at Wells Fargo & Co., the biggest U.S. farm lender. "We were hoping for a break, and we aren’t going to get it."

Unfortunately, the fact that the corn is dying all over America is not just a problem for the United States.

As Businessweek also recently noted, the fate of U.S. corn affects the entire globe....

When rain doesn’t fall in Iowa, it’s not just Des Moines that starts fretting. Food buyers from Addis Ababa to Beijing all are touched by the fate of the corn crop in the U.S., the world’s breadbasket in an era when crop shortages mean riots.

This year they have reason to be concerned. Stockpiles of corn in the U.S. tumbled 48 percent between March and June, the biggest drop since 1996, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said last week. And that was before drought hit the Midwest.

The United States is the world’s biggest exporter of corn by far, and if there is a massive corn crop failure in America it is going to be felt to the four corners of the earth.

Just check out what Abdolreza Abbassian, a senior economist with the U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization, said the other day....

"Everyone watches the U.S. because they can rely on it. Without it, the world would starve."

Back in February, I wrote an article that suggested that we could see dust bowl conditions return to the middle part of this country in the years ahead.

A lot of people were skeptical of that article.

Not quite as many people are skeptical today.

The following is from a recent article posted on MSNBC entitled "Fears of new Dust Bowl as heat, drought shrivel corn in Midwest"....

Crop insurance agents and agricultural economists are watching closely, a few comparing the situation with the devastating drought of 1988, when corn yields shriveled significantly, while some farmers have begun alluding, unhappily, to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Far more is at stake in the coming pivotal days: with the brief, delicate phase of pollination imminent in many states, miles and miles of corn will rise or fall on whether rain soon appears and temperatures moderate.

As I wrote about last week, if the weather does not turn around soon the implications are going to be staggering.

Even if we got some significant rainfall at this point a tremendous amount of damage has already been done according to the Washington Post....

Jay Armstrong, owner and operator of Armstong Farms in Kansas, flew his small plane over a portion of the affected area and landed with the impression that the potential damage is far worse than is commonly understood.

“At this time of year, when you look down in a place like Indiana or Illinois, you should see just lush green fields,” Armstrong said. “I saw bare soil. I just thought to myself, the market has no idea what’s coming.”

So is there significant rain in the forecast?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

The National Weather Service says that the corn belt will experience "above-normal temperatures" and "below-normal rainfall" over the next week.

At this point it does not look like there will be any significant rainfall for the foreseeable future....

"We got a break in the temperatures over the weekend but no rain of significance is in sight for next seven days," said Jim Keeney, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service the US central region based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Needless to say, that is really bad news.

Right now we just have more heat and more dryness to look forward to. The skies are like iron and the earth is like brass. We like to think that we have conquered nature, but at moments such as these we see that is not true at all.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about all of the reasons why we should be concerned about the second half of 2012. In that article I did not even mention drought and crop failures. Sometimes major problems have a way of piling on top of themselves.

The U.S. economy is already in bad enough shape without adding major crop failures to the mix. This is something that we just don't need right now.

But it looks like we are going to have to deal with it. Unless there is a major change in the weather, food prices are going to go up even more and large numbers of farmers and ranchers are going to be absolutely devastated.

Let us all pray for rain. We desperately need it.

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Corn-2012.jpg

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-corn-is-dying-all-over-america

[Skirnir_]

May every one of those genetically modified yellow turd looking plants wither and die.

[StreetsOfGold]

God brings the rain. No doubt American (has been) and is being prepared for GREAT judgement. Things like this are only an early warning.

[old steel]

Sow the wind reap the whirlwind.

[General of Darkness]

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/002366251/food-65691213527_xlarge.jpeg

[iOWNme]

Interesting there was no mention of Chemtrails and their effect on weather, soil and food accumulation.

[PatColo]

Sept corn: http://www.crbtrader.com/data.asp?page=chart&sym=ZCU12&width=600&tblwidth=600

Corn ETF (ticker: CORN) (http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=CORN&insttype=&freq=1&show=&time=9&x=33&y=14)
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/kaavio.Webhost/charts/big.chart?nosettings=1&symb=CORN&uf=0&type=2&size=2&sid=5006857&style=320&freq=1&entitlementtoken=0c33378313484ba9b46b8e24ded87dd6&time=9&rand=964593082&compidx=&ma=0&maval=9&lf=1&lf2=0&lf3=0&height=335&width=579&mocktick=1

^ I've held a good deal of CORN for a couple years, and was dismayed when it didn't mirror the corn futures very well, and not in a good way! Glad to see it rallying now.

[beefsteak]

Drought in Northern Alaska? Who knew!!


beefsteak

[JohnQPublic]

God brings the rain. No doubt American (has been) and is being prepared for GREAT judgement. Things like this are only an early warning.

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. There have been many, many times throughout history where that could have been said. Remember, only the Father knows the time. I especially would disagree with THE great judgement. I think many judgements do occur though throughout history. So if this is what you mean, then it is possible.

I sometimes wonder if we are not entering "satan's little time", but again, throughout history there have been other times as awesome and scary as now.

[horseshoe3]

Sometimes people tend to forget that the worst thing that has happened in my recent memory is NOT the worst thing that has happened ever.

[osoab]

Have a gander at this board for a birds eye view of on the ground conditions. Crop Talk and Market Talk are the boards to watch

http://talk.newagtalk.com/category-view.asp?showall=true

The drought is real. The impact will be huge. Probably comparable to 1983 drought.

The biggest difference between 83, 88 and today is that there are no reserve grains. Stock piles are empty. I expect that all food prices will go up with the exception of meat. Culling of herds is going to occur because no one can afford to feed cattle, hogs, and chicken at high grain prices.

Watch out next year for meat prices though. They should go sky high after the first of the year.

A little more on meat prices.
Drought to take toll on hog producers (http://www.news-gazette.com/news/agriculture/2012-07-14/drought-take-toll-hog-producers.html)

[JDRock]

first, haarp causes draught...then family farms fail.....then monsanto, adm and large zio corps move in in a strategic chess match to snap up more farmland.... its my guess.

[osoab]

first, haarp causes draught...then family farms fail.....then monsanto, adm and large zio corps move in in a strategic chess match to snap up more farmland.... its my guess.

The failing of the family farms could also be attributed to stupidity. (I am not disregarding the recent failures of PFG and MFG.)

If farmers sold most of their grain forward in the winter/spring, like 50%-85% of expected harvest, they deserve to lose their asses.
It is a business cycle.

Were haarp and chemtrails going strong in 83 and 88? What about 34-36? Sometimes weather patterns do change. I am not discounting the possibility of intervention by TPTB. I have seen too many systems/fronts that just fizzle out for no reason in the past few years.

[old steel]

They don't need to own the farmland.

All seeds will be GMO soon enough and you need to pay a high premium to grow their patented seeds on your own land.

You don't pay you don't grow a crop.

[osoab]

From last week.

Photos of Illinois fields

http://www.michliggrain.com/images/E0188301/CorntourJuly2012.pdf

Now think that we basically went another week without moisture. Broad area that is. Local pockets of rain have popped up. I have gotten 6 tenths today. Most rain in 6 weeks.

[osoab]

Analysis: Rationing The Corn Crop – Are We There Yet? (http://agfax.com/2012/07/14/rationing-the-corn-crop-are-we-there-yet/)

[osoab]

They don't need to own the farmland.

All seeds will be GMO soon enough and you need to pay a high premium to grow their patented seeds on your own land.

You don't pay you don't grow a crop.


You are correct, farmers don't need to own the land. Cash rent is a big business. I know of two brothers that run 60,000 acres mostly in Illinois from North to South and East to West.

You actually get a premium for non-GMO crops. However I am suspect about distances that need to be maintained to prevent cross-pollination.

[osoab]

Another thing to consider about the drought is the amount of double cropped wheat/soybeans. I know of some fields that have been planted for weeks and have never sprouted. Too dry.

Two more things to consider. Talking corn here.

In drought years aflotoxin goes sky high. The corn could be rejected or more than likely heavily docked at the elevator when brought in.

Also in drought years, nitrates will increase in the corn stocks. The high nitrates cannot be used in silage. A lot of hurt for those feeding silage.

[Cebu_4_2]

Aflatoxin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Aflatoxin


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/%28%E2%80%93%29-Aflatoxin_B1_Structural_Formulae_V.1.svg/200px-%28%E2%80%93%29-Aflatoxin_B1_Structural_Formulae_V.1.svg.png (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%28%E2%80%93%29-Aflatoxin_B1_Structural_Formulae_V.1.svg)

Chemical structure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_structure) of (–)-Alflatoxin B1



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Aflatoxin_b1_3d_structure.png/200px-Aflatoxin_b1_3d_structure.png (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aflatoxin_b1_3d_structure.png)

3D Structure of aflatoxin B1




Other names[hide]

Aflatoxin B1




Identifiers


PubChem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PubChem)
14403 (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=14403)


ChemSpider (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChemSpider)
13758 (http://www.chemspider.com/13758) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png


ChEMBL (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChEMBL)
CHEMBL1697694 (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembldb/index.php/compound/inspect/CHEMBL1697694) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/X_mark.svg/7px-X_mark.svg.png


Jmol (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jmol)-3D images
Image 1 (http://chemapps.stolaf.edu/jmol/jmol.php?model=O%3DC5C%3D4C%28%3DO%29Oc3c1c%28OC2O %5CC%3DC%2FC12%29cc%28OC%29c3C%3D4CC5)




SMILES (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplified_molecular-input_line-entry_system)
[show]





InChI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Chemical_Identifier)
[show]



Properties


Molecular formula (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_formula)
C17H12O6


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/X_mark.svg/14px-X_mark.svg.png (verify) (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:ComparePages&rev1=477243340&page2=Aflatoxin) (what is: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Chemicals/Chembox_validation) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/10px-Yes_check.svg.png/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/X_mark.svg/10px-X_mark.svg.png?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_state)


Infobox references (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Chemical_infobox#References)




Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycotoxin) that are produced by many species of Aspergillus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus), a fungus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus), the most notable ones being Aspergillus flavus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_flavus) and Aspergillus parasiticus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_parasiticus). Their name is derived from the early work that discovered Aspergillus Flavus toxins. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogen) substances known.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-0) After entering the body, aflatoxins may be metabolized by the liver to a reactive epoxide (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxide) intermediate or hydroxylated to become the less harmful aflatoxin M1.


Contents




1 Contamination conditions (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Contamination_conditions)
2 Pathology (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Pathology)
3 Microbiology (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Microbiology)
4 Detection in humans (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Detection_in_humans)
5 Animals (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Animals)
6 Major types of aflatoxins and their metabolites (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Major_types_of_aflatoxins_and_their_meta bolites)
7 Biosynthetic pathway of Aflatoxin B1 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Biosynthetic_pathway_of_Aflatoxin_B1)
8 See also (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#See_also)
9 Notes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#Notes)
10 External links (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#External_links)




Contamination conditions

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Aspergillus.gif (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aspergillus.gif) https://bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf6/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aspergillus.gif)
Aspergillus fumigatus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_fumigatus) as seen under the electron microscope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_microscope)


Aflatoxin-producing members of Aspergillus are common and widespread in nature. They can colonize and contaminate grain before harvest or during storage. Host crops are particularly susceptible to infection by Aspergillus following prolonged exposure to a high-humidity environment, or damage from stressful conditions such as drought, a condition that lowers the barrier to entry.
The native habitat of Aspergillus is in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains undergoing microbiological deterioration, and it invades all types of organic substrates whenever conditions are favorable for its growth. Favorable conditions include high moisture content (at least 7%) and high temperature.
The toxin can also be found in the milk of animals that are fed contaminated feed.

International sources of commercial peanut butter, cooking oils (i.e. olive oil, etc.), and cosmetics have been identified as contaminated with aflatoxin. In some instances, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and other analytical methods, revealed anywhere from 48-80% of selected product samples as containing detectable quantities of aflatoxin. In many of these contaminated food products, the aflatoxin exceeded FDA, or other regulatory agency, safe limits.[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-1) [3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-2) [4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-3) [5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-4)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established action levels (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Elrd/fdaact.html#afla) for aflatoxin present in food or feed to protect human and animal health.
Levels must not exceed:


ppb (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parts-per_notation#Parts-per_expressions)
Criterion


20
For all food for human consumption and for corn and other grains intended for immature animals (including immature poultry) and for dairy animals, or when its destination is not known, and for animal feeds, other than corn or cottonseed meal


100
For corn and other grains intended for breeding beef cattle, breeding swine, or mature poultry


200
For corn and other grains intended for finishing swine of 100 pounds or greater


300
For corn and other grains intended for finishing (i.e., feedlot) beef cattle, and for cottonseed meal intended for beef cattle, swine or poultry.


Pathology

High-level aflatoxin exposure produces an acute hepatic necrosis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrosis), resulting later in cirrhosis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrhosis), and/or carcinoma of the liver (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_cancer). Acute hepatic failure is made manifest by hemorrhage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhage), edema (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edema), alteration in digestion, changes to the absorption and/or metabolism of nutrients, and mental changes and/or coma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma).[citation needed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
No animal species is immune to the acute toxic effects of aflatoxins including humans; however, adult humans have a high tolerance for aflatoxin exposure and rarely succumb to acute aflatoxicosis.[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-5)
Chronic, subclinical exposure does not lead to symptoms as dramatic as acute aflatoxicosis. Children, however, are particularly affected by aflatoxin exposure, which leads to stunted growth and delayed development.[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-6) Chronic exposure also leads to a high risk of developing liver cancer, as aflatoxin metabolites can intercalate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercalation_%28chemistry%29) into DNA and alkylate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkylation) the bases through its epoxide moiety (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moiety_%28chemistry%29). This is thought to cause mutations in the p53 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P53) gene, an important gene in preventing cell cycle progression when there are DNA mutations, or signaling apoptosis. These mutations seem to affect some base pair locations more than others — for example, the third base of codon 249 of the p53 gene appears to be more susceptible to aflatoxin-mediated mutations than nearby bases.[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-7)
Medical research indicates that a regular diet including apiaceous vegetables (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apiaceae) such as carrots (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot), parsnips (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip), celery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celery) and parsley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsley), reduces the carcinogenic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogenic) effects of aflatoxin.[9] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-8)
Microbiology

Aflatoxins are still recognized as the most important mycotoxins. They are synthesized by only a few Aspergillus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus) species of which A. flavus and A. parasiticus are the most problematic. The expression of aflatoxin-related diseases is influenced by factors such as species, age, nutrition, sex, and the possibility of concurrent exposure to other toxins. The main target organ in mammals is the liver, so aflatoxicosis is primarily a hepatic disease. Conditions increasing the likelihood of aflatoxicosis in humans include limited availability of food, environmental conditions that favour mould growth on foodstuffs, and lack of regulatory systems for aflatoxin monitoring and control.[10] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-MachidaMGomiK-9)
A. flavus and A. parasiticus are weedy molds that grow on a large number of substrates, in particular under high moisture conditions. Aflatoxins have been isolated from all major cereal crops, and from sources as diverse as peanut butter and marijuana. The staple commodities regularly contaminated with aflatoxins include cassava, chillies, corn, cotton seed, millet, peanuts, rice, sorghum, sunflower seeds, tree nuts, wheat, and a variety of spices intended for human or animal consumption. When processed, aflatoxins get into the general food supply where they have been found in both pet and human foods, as well as in feedstocks for agricultural animals. Aflatoxin transformation products are sometimes found in eggs, milk products and meat when animals are fed contaminated grains.[11] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Fratamicopm-10)
Detection in humans

There are two principal techniques that have been used most often to detect levels of aflatoxin in humans.
The first method is measuring the AFB1-guanine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanine) adduct (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adduct) in the urine of subjects. The presence of this breakdown product indicates exposure to aflatoxin B1 in the past 24 hours. However, this technique measures only recent exposure, and, due to the half-life (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-life) of this metabolite, the level of AFB1-guanine measured can vary from day to day, based on diet, and thus is not ideal for assessing long-term exposure.
Another technique that has been used is a measurement of the AFB1-albumin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serum_albumin) adduct level in the blood serum. This approach provides a more integrated measure of exposure over several weeks/months.
Animals

Aflatoxin has potential to lead to liver disease in dogs; however, not all dogs exposed to aflatoxin will develop liver disease. As with any toxic exposure, development of aflatoxicosis is a dose-related occurrence. Some dogs that develop liver disease will recover; those exposed to large doses for extended periods may not.
Low levels of aflatoxin exposure require continuous consumption for several weeks to months in order for signs of liver dysfunction to appear.[12] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-11) Some articles have suggested the toxic level in dog food is 100-300 ppb and requires continuous exposure/consumption for a few weeks to months to develop aflatoxicosis.[13] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-12) No information is available to suggest that recovered dogs will later succumb to an aflatoxin-induced disease.
There is no specific antidote for aflatoxicosis. Symptomatic and supportive care tailored to the severity of the liver disease may include intravenous fluids with dextrose, active vitamin K, B vitamins, and a restricted but high-quality protein diet with adequate carbohydrate content.
As a precautionary measure, both human and pet food recalls have occurred, casting a wide safety net to prevent exposure to potentially unsafe food. Recalled food products are subsequently sampled and tested for aflatoxin.
On December 20, 2005 (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2005/ucm111929.htm), Diamond Pet Food discovered aflatoxin in a product manufactured at their facility in Gaston, South Carolina.[14] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-13) Diamond voluntarily recalled in 23 states 19 products formulated with corn and manufactured in the Gaston facility. Testing of more than 2,700 finished product samples conducted by laboratories confirmed that only two date codes of two adult dog formulas with the "Best By" dates of April 3, April 4, April 5, and April 11 were potentially toxic.[15] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-14)
Major types of aflatoxins and their metabolites

At least 14 different types of aflatoxin are produced in nature.[16] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-15) Aflatoxin B1 is considered the most toxic and is produced by both Aspergillus flavus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_flavus) and Aspergillus parasiticus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_parasiticus). Aflatoxin G1 and G2 are produced exclusively by A. parasiticus. While the presence of Aspergillus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus) in food products does not always indicate harmful levels of aflatoxin are also present, it does imply a significant risk in consumption
Aflatoxins M1, M2 were originally discovered in the milk of cows that fed on moldy grain. These compounds are products of a conversion process in the animal's liver. However, aflatoxin M1 is present in the fermentation broth of Aspergillus parasiticus.


Aflatoxin B1 & B2, produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus
Aflatoxin G1 & G2, produced by Aspergillus parasiticus
Aflatoxin M1, metabolite of aflatoxin B1 in humans and animals (exposure in ng (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanogram) levels can come from a mother's milk)
Aflatoxin M2, metabolite of aflatoxin B2 in milk of cattle fed on contaminated foods[17] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-16)
Aflatoxicol
Aflatoxin Q1 (AFQ1), major metabolite of AFB1 in in vitro (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vitro) liver preparations of other higher vertebrates[18] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-17)

Biosynthetic pathway of Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 is derived from both a dedicated fatty acid synthase (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_synthase) (FAS) and a polyketide synthase (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyketide_synthase) (PKS), together known as norsolorinic acid synthase. The biosynthesis begins with the synthesis of hexanoate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexanoate) by the FAS, which then becomes the starter unit for the iterative type I PKS.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[20] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Singh-19)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) The PKS adds seven malonyl-CoA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malonyl-CoA) extenders to the hexanoate to form the C20 polyketide compound. The PKS folds the polyketide in a particular way to induce cyclization to form the anthraquinone norsolorinic acid. A reductase(E1) then catalyzes the reduction of the ketone on the norsolorinic acid (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norsolorinic_acid&action=edit&redlink=1) side-chain to yield averantin.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[20] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Singh-19)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) Averantin is converted to averufin via a two different enzymes, a hydroxylase (E2) and an alcohol dehydrogenase (E3). This will oxygenate and cyclize averantin's side chain to form the ketal in averufin.
From this point on the biosynthetic pathway of aflatoxin B1 becomes much more complicated, with several major skeletal changes. Most of the enzymes have not been characterized and there may be several more intermediates that are still unknown.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18) However, what is known is that averufin is oxidized by a P450 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P450)-oxidase, AvfA (E4), in a Baeyer-Villiger oxidation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baeyer-Villiger_oxidation). This opens the ether rings and upon rearrangement versiconal acetate is formed. Now an esterase, EstA (E5), catalyzes the hydrolysis of the acetyl, forming the primary alcohol in versiconal.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) The acetal in versicolorin A is formed from the cyclization of the side-chain in versiconal, which is catalyzed by VERB synthase (E6), and then VerB, a desaturase (E7), reduces versicolorin B to form the dihydrobisfuran.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20)
There are two more enzymes that catalyze the conversion of versicolorin A to demethylsterigmatocystin: AflN, an oxidase (E8) and AflM, a reductase (E9). These enzymes utilize both molecular oxygen and two NADPH's to dehydrate one of the hydroxyl groups on the anthraquinone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthraquinone) and open the quinine with the molecular oxygen.[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) Upon forming the aldehyde in the ring opening step, it is oxidized to form the carboxylic acid and subsequently a decarboxylation event occurs to close the ring, forming the six-member ether ring system seen in demethylsterigmatocystin. The next two steps in the biosynthetic pathway is the methylation by s-adenosylmethionine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-adenosylmethionine) (SAM) of the two hydroxyl groups on the xanthone part of demethysterigmatocystin by two different methyltransferases, OmtB (E10) and OmtA (E11).[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) This yields 'O'-methylsterigmatocystin. In the final steps there is an oxidative cleavage of the aromatic ring and loss of one carbon in O-methylsterigmatocystin, which is catalyzed by OrdA, an oxidoreductase (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidoreductase) (E12).[19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Dewick-18)[21] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin#cite_note-Yu-20) Then a final recyclization occurs to form aflatoxin B1.
See also



Aflatoxin total synthesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin_total_synthesis)
Foodborne illness (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodborne_illness)

[Horn]

From last week.

Photos of Illinois fields

http://www.michliggrain.com/images/E0188301/CorntourJuly2012.pdf

Now think that we basically went another week without moisture. Broad area that is. Local pockets of rain have popped up. I have gotten 6 tenths today. Most rain in 6 weeks.

Damaged file?

[osoab]

Damaged file?


Just worked for me. Try "right click, save as". See if that works.

[Horn]

Just worked for me. Try "right click, save as". See if that works.

Sure tried that, Dunno? maybe I'm not updated to the latest bug.

[Cebu_4_2]

Right click on it and save it, then open it up.

I had the same bug a while back in which I removed all traces of flash, shockwave and java and then rebooted and they asked to be automatically installed when I opened the browser.

^ nice sentence huh?

[osoab]

Sure tried that, Dunno? maybe I'm not updated to the latest bug.

I'll give you this link, but all the picks are for an atv. Text is there though.

http://www.farms.com/Commentaries/corn-tour-july-7-8-2012-53750.aspx

[Horn]

I'll give you this link, but all the picks are for an atv. Text is there though.

http://www.farms.com/Commentaries/corn-tour-july-7-8-2012-53750.aspx

Thanks man, I've never seen so many ATV's on one page

[BabushkaLady]

If farmers sold most of their grain forward in the winter/spring, like 50%-85% of expected harvest, they deserve to lose their asses.
It is a business cycle.


The farmers seems to be the only real people with skin in the game.

Of course they have to contract crops all throughout the season, it's not like they can show up at the elevator and just take whatever the price it is that day!

The only upside to a farmer on a really really bad crop is they won't be spending money and fuel on harvest.

[osoab]

Of course they have to contract crops all throughout the season, it's not like they can show up at the elevator and just take whatever the price it is that day!



Actually grain farmers can, it is normally under what is quoted @ CBOT. -.20+/- depending on a lot of factors.

The ones truly screwed are the livestock producers. They are held hostage to CBOT numbers and auction prices. Doesn't matter what their inputs are they are basically screwed when it comes time to sell.

[Santa]

Does this mean a bail out for those too big to fail, like Con Agra and Nabisco and Monsanto?

[BabushkaLady]

Of course they have to contract crops all throughout the season, it's not like they can show up at the elevator and just take whatever the price it is that day!


Actually grain farmers can, it is normally under what is quoted @ CBOT. -.20+/- depending on a lot of factors.

The ones truly screwed are the livestock producers. They are held hostage to CBOT numbers and auction prices. Doesn't matter what their inputs are they are basically screwed when it comes time to sell.

You are correct--the farmer CAN wait until delivery to sell. But most of them are trying to get an "average" price per bushel and contract some on the way up. (just like buying another commodity I can think of.)

Of course, region and many other factors play a part in all this. One of the bigger problems of waiting until harvest to sell is you now have the South American crop forecast factoring into the price. I haven't looked at historicals, but not contracting grain is almost unheard of from where I came from.

As far as livestock producers being screwed . . . they have the same issues. Somebody else sets the price of their inputs, and somebody else set the price they get for their livestock. And by the way, most livestock operations, hedge their production the exact same way as grain farmers.

[k-os]

Does this mean a bail out for those too big to fail, like Con Agra and Nabisco and Monsanto?

Probably.

[osoab]

Does this mean a bail out for those too big to fail, like Con Agra and Nabisco and Monsanto?


Naw, they get their money up front. Also expect seed prices next year to go to the moon due to a decreased supply, even if the supply is there.

[horseshoe3]

Got mine chopped and piled today. But it's KS, so it's not like I expected a big yield anyway. Around here, corn is just something to play with. We plant a few acres hoping to make it big but expecting it to go in the silo. "Never plant more corn than you can feed your cattle." It's really a great crop - worst case, you get some fairly inexpensive feed, and best case you get a nice cash grain crop.

High nitrate corn can be fed as silage. You just need to mix it with something to dilute the nitrates to a safe level.

[BrewTech]

May every one of those genetically modified yellow turd looking plants wither and die.

You just redeemed yourself a little with that post.

I have no use for GM corn and soy. Better that it all dies off.

Malting barley FTW! (Of course that will take a hit too).

[osoab]

This is for Nebraska irrigators that pull water out of rivers and streams. Not the well types, so far...

Still can't be good for yields with high temps this week.State orders irrigators to stop pumping water (http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/state-orders-irrigators-to-stop-pumping-water/article_98391404-9487-50b1-9820-323a19f94f42.html)



More than 1,000 irrigators across Nebraska have been ordered by the state to stop pumping from rivers and streams until drought conditions improve.

As of Friday, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources issued 1,106 shut-off notices to farmers and ranchers in every river basin in the state with the exception of the Little Blue in southeast Nebraska and smaller tributaries along the Missouri River.


rest at link.

[osoab]

Using cached google to read the article. FT requires registration.

Comparison of 08 to today's run up is a joke. That was when all commodities were exploding on the heals of Fannie, Freddie and AIG blowing up. 149 WTI then too. Then everything crashed in late fall.



Food crisis fears as US corn soars (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:9lqRfeDymfcJ:www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad1ec426-cd07-11e1-92c1-00144feabdc0.html+Food+crisis+fears+as+US+corn+soa rs&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a#axzz20hO9bHic)

[Horn]

Food crisis fears as US corn soars (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:9lqRfeDymfcJ:www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad1ec426-cd07-11e1-92c1-00144feabdc0.html+Food+crisis+fears+as+US+corn+soa rs&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a#axzz20hO9bHic)

I could see how this would put pressure on some of the "Free" Trade Agreements.

If there is a plus side, that would be it & all.

The current meme you hear from the bankers is for emerging markets to open their doors. (protectionistas no more)

Food trade helps them do that.

[Horn]

Need the jet stream to reform (is broken) and drop a bit, basically you're living in Mexico's weather.

http://icons-ak.wxug.com/data/640x480/2xcn_jt.gif

[mick silver]

we got over two inchs of rain last night . the rain came down so hard and fast it just ran off the ground and it didnt have time to go down in the dirt . so it didnt help us here .

[Bigjon]

Southern MN has had a lot of rain in May and June so anyone who got their corn in early will get about 100 bu/acre. If they get another 2-3 inches in the next 2 weeks that will raise the yield to average which is about 140-150 bu/acre. I believe MN is 4th in corn production after IA, IL and NB. The southern 3rd of the state is half corn half soybeans, not much else is grown here.

[Uncle Salty]

All your corn are belong to us.

[osoab]

Nice start to trading for the week. The meat going down is something to watch too.

http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zc.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZC)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zs.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZS)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zw.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZW)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?fc.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=FC)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?lh.png&rev=634779854103317500


(http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=LH)

[Bigjon]

Nice start to trading for the week. The meat going down is something to watch too.

http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zc.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZC)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zs.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZS)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?zw.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ZW)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?fc.png&rev=634779854103317500 (http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=FC)http://www.finviz.com/fut_image.ashx?lh.png&rev=634779854103317500


(http://www.finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=LH)

Time to buy a pressure cooker and preserve some meat. Canned beef is a real treat.

[Mouse]

It's messed up that the feed goes up and the beef goes down. The ranchers are weak hands. I have been trying to get my neighbor to quit shitting himself about his herd as he has an extra years worth of feed stashed away. Once this crop is done coming in Beef is going to be gold on the hoof.

[Skirnir_]

Grass-fed meats may also be depressed by this trend via the halo effect.

[osoab]

Does corn break 8.00 tonight?

http://www.finviz.com/fut_chart.ashx?t=ZC&cot=002602&p=m5

[old steel]

It's messed up that the feed goes up and the beef goes down. The ranchers are weak hands. I have been trying to get my neighbor to quit shitting himself about his herd as he has an extra years worth of feed stashed away. Once this crop is done coming in Beef is going to be gold on the hoof.

The heck with eating high priced beef put some pork on your fork!

[Mouse]

Our pigs are mostly eating grain. Put some petroleum on your fork.

[osoab]

This is July 17th sat photo.

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=78553&src=imgrss

http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/78000/78553/usndvia_tmo_2012177.jpg
http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/78000/78553/usndvia_tmo_2012177_palette.png

[osoab]

Corn closed around 8.25 today. This is at or very near all time highs. Beans and bean meal did well. Indexes, oil all fell hard with EUR. Au and Ag held firm with the strengthening bucky. Kind of weird there.

Drought is going to get worse. Calling for around a 90-100 for the next 10 days with no precip at this time for my area. I have been seeing some pretty sorry pics of crops. Corn being mowed off. Corn cut into silage where it never has. Corn being baled. Corn that looks like it is mid September. 4' tall corn.

It is bad folks. Beans are next. Good rains in within the next week or two will probably save em for most.

[LuckyStrike]

I sometimes wonder if we are not entering "satan's little time",

Entering?

Where have you been?

[osoab]

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t191/147thst/93701040-drought.jpg

[osoab]

New All-time Highs for Grain Prices (http://www.agweb.com/article/new_all-time_highs_for_grain_prices/)



This information is provided by Archer Financial Services, Inc., 800-933-3996.


It was yet another explosive week on LaSalle Street, as grain prices continued their surge to higher levels.
The September contract led corn values higher this week closing $.84 higher. Bull spreading was also a feature in the soybean market this week as August soybeans closed $1.62 ¾ higher.

September corn traded to new all-time highs this week for any corn contract when it made a high at 8.28 ¾ on Friday. This surpassed the previous highest trade ever when the July 2009 corn contract traded to $8.26 in the summer of 2008. See current grain prices (http://www.agweb.com/markets/futures.aspx).

It is not surprising that the market would search out historically high levels in a year in which historically hot and dry conditions have plagued the Corn Belt. Demand destruction is clearly occurring at current price levels as ethanol production this week was reported at a two year low, while corn export demand remains largely non-existent.

One function of this market is to destroy that demand in order to protect adequate supplies of corn stocks, just as the function of the market will be to one day buy that demand back with lower values once the supplies become more comfortable.

Picking a top in the grain markets has been an act of futility over the past month and it may prove equally challenging over the next month. Producers should be looking at lower risk option strategies to protect this year’s inventory. At the same time they should be looking to extend 2013 hedges as December 13 corn trades near $6.50.

[mick silver]

it time to go to the big store and buy with both hands as much can food you can . whats the best way to remove people off of the earth

[Neuro]

it time to go to the big store and buy with both hands as much can food you can . whats the best way to remove people off of the earth
You are correct. Starvation is very efficient! It also leads to violence and epidemics, and if you control the supply in times of scarcity you make the rules. North America is of course very important in agricultural output, but it is not all the world. Does anyone know the world situation re harvests. Here in northern Europe the Summer has been cold and rainy, not very good for harvests either. South Eastern Europe has been very hot, but lots of rain in the winter and spring, could be a good harvest...

[MNeagle]

Animated Drought Monitor – Last 12 WeeksJuly 23, 2012 11:13 am

The drought is definitely getting worse. Now corn prices are close to a record and Soybeans hit a record just yesterday.
Ranchers are going outside the U.S. to buy their feed and food costs are rising. Watch out for restaurant stocks off of earnings.
The image below will cycle through 12 weeks of data and show how the drought conditions are becoming increasingly worse.
From http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
http://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/12_week.gif (http://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/12_week.gif)



http://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/blog/2012/07/23/animated-drought-monitor-last-12-weeks/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thedisciplinedinvestor%2FEBHR +%28The+Disciplined+Investor%29

[Dick_Stabber]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x18hrNp--NM


Tick tock.....

[osoab]

From today's crop report. Just showing a few select states.


http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-07-23-2012.txt


Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending July 22, 2012 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2011 planted acreage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

: percent :
Colorado .......: 21 23 26 27 3
Illinois .......: 36 30 27 7 -
Indiana ........: 38 33 22 6 1
Iowa ...........: 14 26 37 21 2
Kansas .........: 28 31 29 11 1
Kentucky .......: 43 34 17 5 1
Michigan .......: 27 24 26 21 2
Minnesota ......: 3 8 28 53 8
Missouri .......: 48 31 16 4 1
Nebraska .......: 14 19 30 32 5

From last Monday's crop report.

http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2012/CropProg-07-16-2012.txt



Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending July 15, 2012 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2011 planted acreage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

: percent :
Colorado .......: 17 21 29 29 4
Illinois .......: 26 30 33 10 1
Indiana ........: 37 34 21 7 1
Iowa ...........: 8 19 37 32 4
Kansas .........: 21 30 34 14 1
Kentucky .......: 38 39 17 5 1
Michigan .......: 27 29 26 16 2
Minnesota ......: 2 7 24 56 11
Missouri .......: 38 34 21 6 1
Nebraska .......: 9 18 30 39 4


Beans for this week.


Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending July 22, 2012 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2011 planted acreage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

: percent :
Arkansas .......: 4 17 31 40 8
Illinois .......: 24 25 38 12 1
Indiana ........: 23 30 35 11 1
Iowa ...........: 10 20 42 25 3
Kansas .........: 20 31 35 14 -
Kentucky .......: 23 33 28 14 2
Louisiana ......: - 6 30 53 11
Michigan .......: 13 27 31 27 2
Minnesota ......: 3 9 28 54 6
Mississippi ....: 3 4 22 50 21
Missouri .......: 31 37 24 7 1
Nebraska .......: 10 22 40 26 2

Beans from last week.



Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending July 15, 2012 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2011 planted acreage

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

: percent :
Arkansas .......: 3 16 34 39 8
Illinois .......: 16 25 42 16 1
Indiana ........: 25 32 32 10 1
Iowa ...........: 5 15 42 34 4
Kansas .........: 14 27 39 19 1
Kentucky .......: 21 31 32 15 1
Louisiana ......: 1 7 31 51 10
Michigan .......: 16 34 28 21 1
Minnesota ......: 1 8 26 57 8
Mississippi ....: 2 5 20 50 23
Missouri .......: 25 34 31 9 1
Nebraska .......: 7 16 43 33 1

[Horn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x18hrNp--NM


Tick tock.....

Strange place for that graphic, but notice the relatively "O.K." area that surrounds D.C.

[osoab]

For some reason the text didn't stay to show the years. The one that gets me is 1983, central ill. We had a drought in my area. Map says no drought anywhere basically.


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/07/20/us/drought-footprint.html?ref=earth

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/newsgraphics/2012/0720-drought/0720-drought1.png

[PatColo]

first 1/2 hour of yesterday's Rense show they discussed the drought situation, how it's worldwide (Russia, Oz....) and the wider implications to expect.

Hour 3 - David Sibley (http://www.readyreservefoods.com/) - Drought And Food - Michael Murphy (http://www.whyintheworldaretheyspraying.com/) - Why In The World Are They Spraying? - Photos (http://rense.com/general95/chemhotos.html)

Listen (http://www.talkshoe.com/resources/talkshoe/images/swf/lastEpisodePlayer.swf?fileUrl=http://k005.kiwi6.com/hotlink/9sb0qa168i/rense_20120724_3of3.mp3)

Download (http://k005.kiwi6.com/hotlink/9sb0qa168i/rense_20120724_3of3.mp3)

[osoab]

Some pics from a thread I was reading.


http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=321810&posts=8&start=1


This is some corn that we chopped on friday. it looks really good from a distance but as u can see there is absolutly no ear. there is going to be a lot of surprises this fall!!!!!!

pic # 1 is from a distance to show u how the corn looks from the road

pic #2 is my niece and nephew to show u the height of this corn and no ears


http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/get-attachment.asp?action=view&attachmentid=149997
(DSCF0005 (Small).jpg)



http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/get-attachment.asp?action=view&attachmentid=149998

[Dogman]

In my area the corn would be popping on the stalk right now. 107°F

[osoab]

In my area the corn would be popping on the stalk right now. 107°F

We had that during peak pollination.

[Horn]

During Drought China Turns to Ukraine as Food Source
http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-drought-china-food/1448171.html

[Horn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFzKhzT1HiU

[Horn]

In my area the corn would be popping on the stalk right now. 107°F

Its 51f in London currently, 54f in Mexico city.

[old steel]

WTF is going on?

2012 for real??

[mick silver]

back up for more to add to . just how bad will the crops be this year around the world

[Horn]

back up for more to add to . just how bad will the crops be this year around the world

Spoke to a Canadian this evening, he says its the same story if not worse up there.

[Dogman]

On an related subject is what this drought is doing to the wheat crops, which is the other important grain.

It does not look so good, with the corn and wheat production being burnt out by the drought.

Wonder what a world wide famine looks like? Or big chunks of it anyway!

[horseshoe3]

The wheat in my part of the country is not in any danger at all. We cut last year's crop in June and will plant the next one in late September. As long as we get some rain before planting to make a seedbed and bring it up good, we will have a good chance at a crop. Wheat goes dormant over the winter and does most of it's growing in the spring when the temperatures are cooler and most of the winter precipitation is still available.

Last year summer was a carbon copy of this year for us and we ended up cutting a really good wheat crop this summer.

[old steel]

Spoke to a Canadian this evening, he says its the same story if not worse up there.

Depends on the area most of the problems are back east in central Canada Ontario/Quebec whre it's been unseasonably hot and dry.

Out west we have good crops lots of rain sans the hail storms.

[BrewTech]

Depends on the area most of the problems are back east in central Canada Ontario/Quebec whre it's been unseasonably hot and dry.

Out west we have good crops lots of rain sans the hail storms.

Looks like malting barley is gonna be hella expensive in the near future (why would it be spared?). Look for your beer (and alcohol in general) prices to rise.

[osoab]

Anecdotally, I saw one cornfield that had been shelled (not mowed down or silage) between Windsor and Shelbyville on Rte 16 in Illinois a few days ago. I don't think I have ever seen corn shelled in July.

On another note...
Mississippi River traffic halted as vessels run aground (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/02/us-usa-drought-barges-idUSBRE8711KC20120802)

[MNeagle]

Cows eating candy during the drought

Updated: Thursday, 16 Aug 2012, 7:53 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 16 Aug 2012, 7:53 AM EDT



MAYFIELD, Ky. (CNN/WPSD) - Ranchers have struggled with skyrocketing corn prices, because the drought has made feeding their livestock very expensive. But one rancher has turned to a very sweet solution.

At Mayfield's United Livestock Commodities, owner Joseph Watson is tweaking the recipe for success.

"Just to be able to survive, we have to look for other sources of nutrition," he said.

His 1,400 cattle are no longer feeding off corn. The prices, Watson says, are too high to keep corn in stock. So earlier this year, he began to buy second-hand candy.

"It has a higher ratio of fat than actually feeding straight corn," Watson explained. "It's hard to believe it will work but we've already seen the results of it now."

Watson mixes the candy with an ethanol by-product and a mineral nutrient. He says the cows have not shown any health problems from eating the candy, and they are gaining weight as they should.

"This ration is balanced to have not too much fat in it," he said.

The packaged candy comes from various companies at a discounted rate because it is not fit for store shelves.

"Salvage is a problem for a lot of these companies and they're proud to have a place to go with it," said Watson.




http://www.wpri.com/dpps/entertainment/must_see_video/cows-eating-candy-during-the-drought-nd12-jgr_4323303

[PatColo]

corn more/less leveled off @ $8/bushel past 2 months, weekly chart: http://futures.tradingcharts.com/chart/CN/W

Preface here by Jenna Orkin:

The era of cheap food may be over


"Price increases in both oil and food provide textbook examples of market forces. Rapid expansion in the big emerging markets, especially China, has led to an increase in demand at a time when there have been supply constraints. For crude, these have included the war in Iraq, the embargo imposed on Iran, and the fact that some of the older fields are starting to run dry before new sources of crude are opened up.


The same demand dynamics affect food. It is not just that the world's population is rising by 1% a year. Nor is it simply that China has been growing at 9% a year on average; it is that consumers in the big developing countries have developed an appetite for higher protein western diets. Meat consumption is rising in China, India and Brazil, and since it takes 7kg of grain to produce 1kg of beef (and 4kg to produce 1kg of pork), this is adding to global demand."
Peak food. – JO


Guardian UK article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/02/era-of-cheap-food-over)
The era of cheap food may be over
A spike in prices caused by poor harvests and rising demand is an apt moment for the west to reassess the wisdom of biofuels

[gunDriller]

my corn isn't dying but my 8th store-bought sprinkler died yesterday.