ISAAC Landed in SE Louisiana, Heading Toward NO

Hurricane ISAAC landed in Louisiana with 80MPH winds

ISAAC has forced tens of thousands to evacuate, and is forecast to strike New Orleans. The storm triggered widespread  flooding and damage in the Caribbean, claiming at least 24 lives in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Hurricane ISAAC landing in SE Louisiana. Image source: UW-SSEC – Animate this image

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• California.  Yosemite National Park has warned about 2,000 visitors who stayed in its canvas and wood cabins in Curry Village this summer that they may have been exposed to the deadly hantavirus.
  • Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome has killed at least two campers who stayed at the park earlier this year.
  • Two other campers have acquired the infection.
  • Symptoms of hantavirus include aches, chills, dizziness and fever.
  • Hantavirus is carried in the feces, saliva and urine of infected deer mice, and has no specific treatment.
  • The virus has a 30% fatality rate.

• U.S. Corn and Soybean Crops. The U.S. corn and soybean conditions have both deteriorated by an additional one percent, according to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress for the week ending August 26, 2012.
  • The amount of corn crops considered to be in very poor or poor conditions increased to 52 percent, an increase of 1 percent from the previous week. It was 19 percent last year.
  • Soybean crops in very poor or poor conditions also increased by 1 percent to 38 percent since last week.   It was 15 percent last year.

Previous Corn Progress

• U.S. Corn Condition Continues Worsening Posted August 14, 2012
• More Corn Grilled on the Cob Posted on August 7, 2012
• Half U.S. Corn in Very Poor or Poor Condition Posted July 30, 2012
• Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions Posted July 24, 2012

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!

U.S. Corn Condition Continues Worsening

51 percent of the U.S. corn crop in very poor or poor condition

The amount of U.S. corn crops considered to be in very poor or poor conditions increased to 51 percent in the week ending August 12, 2012, a rise of one percent since previous week, according to the USDA Crop Progress released August 13, 2012.

• The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition remained unchanged at 23 percent. It was 60 percent last year.
• The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage:  Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Fukushima butterflies have mutated following exposure to radioactive material released into environment

Previous Corn Progress

• More Corn Grilled on the Cob Posted on August 7, 2012
• Half U.S. Corn in Very Poor or Poor Condition Posted July 30, 2012
• Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions Posted July 24, 2012

Related Links

• U.S. Disaster Impact Leaps 24 Folds Posted  August 1, 2012
• U.S. Disaster Areas Expand as Drought Deepens Posted August 1, 2012
• Extreme and Exceptional Drought Spread Across Midwest, South Posted August 2, 2012
• Wildfires Destroy Oklahoma Town Posted August 5, 2012

• Watching Events Unfold, Frame by Frame, Exactly as Forecast Posted July 20, 2012
• Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops Posted July 19, 2012

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S. Posted July 17, 2012
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought and deluge 

More Corn Grilled on the Cob

Popcorn Progress – August 6, 2012

The amount of U.S. corn considered to be in very poor and poor conditions increased to 50 percent in the week ending August 5, 2012, a rise of two percent since previous week.

Corn Condition

The amount of corn considered to be in very poor to poor condition increased to 50 percent, a rise of 2 percent since last week, while the crop rated as as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ fell to 23 percent, due to ongoing drought and lingering heat, according to the USDA Crop Progress released August 6, 2012.

• The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition fell to 23 percent for the week ending August 5, 2012, a further decline of 1 percent since previous week.  It was 60 percent last year.
• The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage:  Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Map of US Counties with Drought Level D0 and Above as of July 26, 2012. USDA

Soybean Condition

The amount of soybeans considered to be in very poor to poor condition was 39 percent, an increase of 2 percent since last week.

• The amount of soybean regarded as being in good or excellent condition remained at 29 percent. It was 61 percent this time last year.
• The statistics are based on 18 States that planted 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
  North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Pasture and Range Condition

Pasture and Range Condition for the lower 48 States which are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories, further deteriorated by 2 percent.

• Very poor to poor pasture and range areas rose to 59 percent, from 57 percent last week. It was 38 percent this time last year.
• Total acreage in ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition fell to 16 percent.  It was 39 percent last year.

[Source: Crop Progress, USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Report released August 6, 2012.]

“If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.” Tom Vilsack

U.S. Drought Map – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, shows a map of the drought.  Copyright The Iowa Soybean Association.

“I get on my knees everyday and I’m saying an extra prayer right now,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after briefing with the Disaster President  Obama. “If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”

Previous reports

• Half U.S. Corn in Very Poor or Poor Condition Posted July 30, 2012
• Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions Posted July 24, 2012

Related Links

• U.S. Disaster Impact Leaps 24 Folds Posted  August 1, 2012
• U.S. Disaster Areas Expand as Drought Deepens Posted August 1, 2012
• Extreme and Exceptional Drought Spread Across Midwest, South Posted August 2, 2012
• Wildfires Destroy Oklahoma Town Posted August 5, 2012

• Watching Events Unfold, Frame by Frame, Exactly as Forecast Posted July 20, 2012
• Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops Posted July 19, 2012

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S. Posted July 17, 2012
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought and deluge 

Half U.S. Corn in Very Poor or Poor Condition

Corn rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ falls to 24 percent

The amount of corn considered to be in very poor to poor condition increased to 48 percent, a rise of 3 percent since last week, while the crop rated as as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ fell to 24 percent, due to ongoing drought and lingering heat wave, according to the USDA Crop Progress.

• The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition fell to 24 percent for the week ending July 29, a further drop of 2 percent since previous week. It was 62 percent last year.
• The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Soybean Condition

The amount of soybeans considered to be in very poor to poor condition was 37 percent, an increase of 2 percent since last week.

• The amount of soybean regarded as being in good or excellent condition fell to 29 percent, a drop of 2 percent since last week. It was 60 percent this time last year.
• The statistics are based on 18 States that planted 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
  North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Pasture and Range Condition

Pasture and Range Condition for the lower 48 States which are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories, further deteriorated by 2 percent.

• Very poor to poor pasture and range areas rose to 57 percent, from 55 percent last week. It was 36 percent this time last year.
• Total acreage in ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition fell to 17 percent.  It was 41 percent last year.

[Source: Crop Progress (July 2012) USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Report released July 30, 2012.]

• Previous report: Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions Posted July 24, 2012

Percentage of Corn Located in Drought

About 89 percent of the U.S. corn crops were located in drought areas as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.

Approximate percentage of corn located in drought areas. USDA

The U.S. Cattle Map

About 73% of the U.S. domestic cattle inventory is within drought stricken areas, as of July 24, 2012, USDA reported.

This graphic depicts the U.S. cattle areas experiencing drought from data accrued through the U. S. Drought Monitor on July 24, 2012. Approximately 73% of the domestic cattle inventory is within a drought stricken area, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2007 Census of Agriculture data. Source: USDA

Related Links

• Watching Events Unfold, Frame by Frame, Exactly as Forecast Posted July 20, 2012
• Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops Posted July 19, 2012

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S. Posted July 17, 2012
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought and deluge 

Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions

Corn in v. poor or poor condition increases to 45 percent: USDA

The amount of corn considered to be in very poor to poor condition has increased by 7 percent since last week due to ongoing drought and lingering heat wave, according to the USDA Crop Progress report.

• The amount of corn regarded as being in good or excellent condition was 26 percent for the week ending July 22, a drop of 5 percent since previous week. It was 62 percent last year.
• The USDA statistics are based on 18 States which planted 92% of the 2011 corn acreage: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

U.S. Corn Condition by State Map as of July 22, 2012. Source: USDA/AWA

Soybean Condition

The amount of soybeans considered to be in very poor to poor condition was 35 percent, an increase of 5 percent since last week.

• The amount of soybean regarded as being in good or excellent condition was 31 percent, a drop of 3 percent since last week. It was 62 percent last year.
• The statistics are based on 18 States that planted 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina,
  North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Pasture and Range Condition

Pasture and Range Condition for the lower 48 States which are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories, further deteriorated by 1 percent.

• V. poor to poor category rose to 55 percent. It was 33 percent last year.

[Source: Crop Progress (July 2012) USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Report released July 23, 2012.]

Drought and Deluge Double Whammy

The historic drought could finally end in an epic deluge, in which case what is already extreme stress on the topsoil would be incalculable.

Corn in Drought Map. Latest available map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas. This map depicts drought-affected areas of the U.S. corn producing farmland as of July 17, 2012. Approximately 88% of the corn grown in the U.S. is within an area-experiencing drought, based on historical U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop production data.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• China. Typhoon VICENTE has grown into a monstrous category 4A stormwith sustained winds of more than 215kmph.  The storm has landed  in southern China.
  • The Hong Kong Observatory has raised its storm warning signal to the highest level 10, while local media reported at least 70 people  injured, as of posting.

Typhoon VICENTE – NHC Enhanced IR Sat Image. Source: CIMSS

• China.  Extreme Rain Events have buffeted 17 provinces in China since July 20, leaving hundreds dead or missing.
  • Rainstorm related disasters have affected up to 10 million people in thousands of towns and villages across 264 counties in 17 provinces, forcing about a million residents to flee their homes.
  • Rainstorms also destroyed or damaged about 100,000 homes.
  • “In Sichuan province, water levels in several rivers have exceeded the warning levels and the Luzhou section in the upper reach of the Yangtze River has witnessed the biggest flooding since 1949, according to the provincial flood control headquarters,” said a report.
    
  • Dozens of cities and villages are submerged under about 2m of water.
  • The influx of floodwater into the Three Gorges Reservoir, upstream of the gigantic Three Gorges hydropower project in Yichang, Hubei province, is expected to reach 70,000 cubic meters per second, the report said.
    

Original Caption: The pivot of Three Gorges releases flood water in seven spillways in Yichang, central China’s Hubei Province, July 23, 2012. The Three Gorges Dam will experience its largest flood peak this year on Tuesday, the Yangtze River flood control and drought relief headquarters said Monday. (Xinhua/Zheng Jiayu)

Related Links

• Watching Events Unfold, Frame by Frame, Exactly as Forecast Posted July 20, 2012
• Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops Posted July 19, 2012

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S. Posted July 17, 2012
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought and deluge 

Drought Disaster Declared in 26 States

Half of the U.S. declared agricultural disaster area due to worsening drought

Drought conditions have sparked disaster declarations in more than 1,300 counties (1,016 primary, 278 contiguous) across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.

U.S. drought has been intensified by the driest June in history and triple-digit temperatures on 10 out of 11 days recently.

• As of last week, Moderate to Extreme drought conditions prevailed in 52.56 percent of the Midwest, and 68.39 percent of the South. Moderate to Exceptional drought conditions covered 73.87% of High Plains, 64.15% of the West and 35.46% of the Southeast.

• The declaration covers 26 states across the country: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and Hawaii.

Map of U.S. counties declared as agricultural disaster areas.

In addition to the 1,016 primary disaster areas, 278 other counties have been designated as contiguous disaster areas (see map above).

[NOTE: There are 3,033 organized county or county-equivalent governments in the U.S. Source:   U.S. Department of Commerce –Census Bureau]

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (July 5 to September 30, 2012)

Corn Conditions

Thirty percent of the corn in the 18 states that produce most of the U.S. crop is now  in poor or very poor condition, up from 22% last week, USDA reported.

• The amount of corn considered to be in excellent or good condition has dropped to 40 percent this week down from 48 percent last week.

• Sixty percent or more of the crop has been rated poor to very poor in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Corn Condition – Selected States: Week Ending July 8, 2012. The 18 states planted 92% of 2011 acreage. Source: Crop Progress – Released July 9, 2012, by NASS/USDA.

For details of corn and soybean condition see Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition Posted on July 11, 2012

• Kansas. A list of 82 Kansas counties that will be declared disaster areas is posted HERE.

Links to Recent Related Entries

• Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition Posted on July 11, 2012
• Continental US Experienced Warmest 12 Months in 117 Years Posted  on July 10, 2012
• Drought: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Posted on July 10, 2012
• U.S. Corn Belt Hit by Drought, Heat Wave Posted on July 9, 2012

• Record Heatwave Kills Dozens in U.S. Posted on July 8, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in Montana Posted on July 5, 2012
• Colorado Declared Agri Disaster Area Posted on July 4, 2012

• Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States Posted on July 3, 2012
• Deadly Heat Blankets Eastern U.S. Posted on July 2, 2012
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States and DC as Storm Death Toll Rises Posted  on July 1, 2012
• Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population Posted on June 30, 2012
• The record-setting heat wave continues to expand Posted on June 30, 2012
• Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S. Posted on June 29, 2012
• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado Posted on June 28, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012

Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition

Corn and soybean prices surge following USDA report on extent of damage to crops

Thirty percent of the corn in the 18 states that produce most of the U.S. crop is now  in poor or very poor condition, up from 22% last week, USDA reported.

The amount of corn considered to be in excellent or good condition has dropped to 40 percent this week down from 48 percent last week.

Sixty percent or more of the crop has been rated poor to very poor in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Corn Condition – Selected States: Week Ending July 8, 2012. The 18 states planted 92% of 2011 acreage. Source: Crop Progress – Released July 9, 2012, by NASS/USDA.

Poor, Incomplete Kernel Set. Poor pollination of ear due to asynchronous pollen shed and silking (poor “nick”) due to severe drought and high temperatures; inadequate pollen supply due to uneven crop development, herbicides, insect feeding and silk clipping. Phosphorus shortages also interfere with pollination. Late applications of Lightning on Clearfield corn. Source: OSU-Extension. Image may be subject to copyright.

Corn futures surged 37 cents to $7.74 per bushel in afternoon trading Monday, up by more than $1 in a week.

Soybean Crop

The damage report also drove up soybean prices to a new record on Monday. Prices peaked at $16.79 per bushel before closing at $16.65, up 45 cents.

The USDA reported that 27 percent of soybeans were in poor or very poor condition in the 18 states that grow 95 percent of the crop, up 5 percent from last week.

Only 40 percent of the soybean crop was rated in good or excellent condition,  down from 45 percent last week.

Soybean Condition – Selected States: Week Ending July 8, 2012. Source: Crop Progress – Released July 9, 2012, by NASS/USDA.

Chain Reaction

The poor crops in the U.S., world’s top producer of corn (maize) and soybean, will cause a chain reaction in the global food market, dictating higher prices across the board including beef, chicken, pork, eggs, milk, bread, and causing global food crisis …

Links to Recent Related Entries

• Continental US Experienced Warmest 12 Months in 117 Years Posted  on July 10, 2012
• Drought: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Posted on July 10, 2012
• U.S. Corn Belt Hit by Drought, Heat Wave Posted on July 9, 2012

• Record Heatwave Kills Dozens in U.S. Posted on July 8, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in Montana Posted on July 5, 2012
• Colorado Declared Agri Disaster Area Posted on July 4, 2012

• Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States Posted on July 3, 2012
• Deadly Heat Blankets Eastern U.S. Posted on July 2, 2012
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States and DC as Storm Death Toll Rises Posted  on July 1, 2012
• Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population Posted on June 30, 2012
• The record-setting heat wave continues to expand Posted on June 30, 2012
• Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S. Posted on June 29, 2012
• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado Posted on June 28, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012