Rationing My Birds
I like to do backyard bird feeding. But the birds congregating around my feeders are not getting the “harvest” of stuff they did in recent months. The price of black oil sunflower seed has doubled and I am afraid to look at the price of cracked corn.
Corn prices yesterday hit $6.16 per bushel, a thirty percent rise int he past three months. Indonesia, one of the world’s leading wheat exporters halted exports yesterday. Nations from Mexico to Egypt to Japan are adjusting to the rising price of rice, wheat and corn as well as the reduced levels available for their populations.
Mexico fears social unrest because of the rising price of maize. When tortillas, a Mexican staple get beyond the reach of the average person you know there is something wrong with world food supplies.
The reasons for the higher prices. There are many, including the diversion of crops to produce biofuels. There is also the rising demand from nations like China and India who have the money to import larger amounts of food. Weather patterns in Australia and the United States have also cut into production. One little mentioned factor is diminished farm land under cultivation due to the rise of the suburbs.
It is a growing crisis that has already led to riots in Egypt and several deaths. When people do not have food they get restless. If food shortages can occur during good times what might happen when a real catastrophe strikes? This is one to watch.
In the meantime, I see the cardinals are lining up for a turn at the feeding station. I better get out and fill the bin.
Corn prices yesterday hit $6.16 per bushel, a thirty percent rise int he past three months. Indonesia, one of the world’s leading wheat exporters halted exports yesterday. Nations from Mexico to Egypt to Japan are adjusting to the rising price of rice, wheat and corn as well as the reduced levels available for their populations.
Mexico fears social unrest because of the rising price of maize. When tortillas, a Mexican staple get beyond the reach of the average person you know there is something wrong with world food supplies.
The reasons for the higher prices. There are many, including the diversion of crops to produce biofuels. There is also the rising demand from nations like China and India who have the money to import larger amounts of food. Weather patterns in Australia and the United States have also cut into production. One little mentioned factor is diminished farm land under cultivation due to the rise of the suburbs.
It is a growing crisis that has already led to riots in Egypt and several deaths. When people do not have food they get restless. If food shortages can occur during good times what might happen when a real catastrophe strikes? This is one to watch.
In the meantime, I see the cardinals are lining up for a turn at the feeding station. I better get out and fill the bin.
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