Drought in Plains and Southeast, says NOAA’s winter forecast
Winter will be drier and warmer than usual for the central to southern Plains and the Southeast, said government forecasters on Thursday, suggesting there would be little drought relief in major wheat-growing states or precipitation to restore water levels in the Mississippi River.
Highest financing expenses since 2019 for farmers
Headwinds are intensifying for the farm sector, although high commodity prices support a positive outlook for farm finances through the end of this year, said a survey of ag bankers on Thursday. Alongside increased loan volume during the summer, “interest rates rose sharply and pushed financing expenses to the highest level since 2019.”
World grain stocks to fall for sixth straight year
With world corn production down 4 percent, the global stockpile of grain will shrink for the sixth year in a row, said the International Grains Council on Thursday. In a monthly report, the IGC said the 2022/23 global harvest would be 1 percent smaller than last season’s record output.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Wildfires erased emissions progress: The record-breaking 2020 wildfire season in California released nearly twice as many tons of greenhouse gases as were prevented during two decades of carbon dioxide reductions in the state, say researchers. (Los Angeles Times)
More food fraud charges: Two more Minneapolis-area residents were accused of fraudulently claiming to feed low-income children during the pandemic, part of the alleged $250 million “Feeding Our Future” conspiracy. (Department of Justice)
Bird flu slows: Losses to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic flocks have slowed during October, totaling 830,000 birds through Wednesday, compared to 6.15 million in September. (USDA)
Climate is the biggest threat: On the list of the 10 greatest challenges to food security in the world, “climate is one through five,” said Cary Fowler, U.S. special envoy for global food security, urging greater attention to crop adaptation. (Devex)
