Drought risk for US farmers

Not good news for already spiralling food costs and its potential impact on society and the economy in general.


World weather impacts
Drought risk for US farmers
25 Mar 2008
Drought is risked this summer by farmers in the mid-west and plains of the US, a new government forecast warns.

According to Reuters on March 25th, there is an "enhanced risk" of drought for the Corn Belt, Doug Lecomte, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Centre.

The dry conditions threatening farmers could be accompanied by heightened flood risks for the eastern half of the US, the forecast predicted.

A fading La Nina phenomenon has been cited as a key reason for the conditions.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey told the news agency that drier conditions could help farmers in mid-western states suffering from the extreme wetness.