18.02.2014

Africa - Dry conditions weakens Ivorian cocoa mid-crop

Africa - Dry conditions weakens Ivorian cocoa mid-cropDry, hot conditions continued last week in some of Ivory Coast's principal cocoa growing regions, raising fears among farmers of a drop in output from the upcoming April-to-September mid-crop. However growing conditions elsewhere in the country, the world's top cocoa grower, were good. The West African nation is in its dry season, which runs from mid-November to March and generally features sporadic rain. Farmers say plantations need one significant shower per week from January to late February to ensure good bean development. Dry, hot conditions continued last week in some of Ivory Coast's principal cocoa growing regions, raising fears among farmers of a drop in output from the upcoming April-to-September mid-crop. However growing conditions elsewhere in the country, the world's top cocoa grower, were good. The West African nation is in its dry season, which runs from mid-November to March and generally features sporadic rain. Farmers say plantations need one significant shower per week from January to late February to ensure good bean development and prevent a quality drop in the first months of the mid-crop. Liffe cocoa futures held near 2-1/2 year highs on Monday, as a possible return of El Nino weather conditions coupled with solid global demand growth for chocolate products renewed worries about a global deficit. In the central western region of Daloa, responsible for a quarter of Ivory Coast's national output, farmers said no rain had fallen for a sixth consecutive week. "Many flowers have turned yellow and dropped off the trees because there is no moisture and it is very hot," said Attoungbre Kouame, who farms in the outskirts of Daloa. "Not only will the mid-crop start late here, but there will be fewer beans than last season," he said. In the coastal region of San Pedro, farmers said they were also worried by the dry conditions. "The soil is dry. Many leaves are drying on the trees. We won't have a good mid-crop harvest this year because there aren't enough cherelles (small pods)," said San Pedro farmer Tchorna Silue. In the eastern region of Abengourou, known for the quality of its beans, farmers reported one light shower with none the previous week. "It's better than nothing. It helps the trees resist the drought," said Lambert Aka, who farms near Abengourou. In the western region of Soubre, an analyst reported 5 mm of rain last week, down from 22 mm the previous week. "There are now many medium-size pods on the trees. Harvesting should begin towards the end of March. We'll have plenty of beans, like last year," said Soubre farmer and co-operative manager Emile Konan. Conditions were improving in the western regions of Meagui, Duekoue, Man and Gagnoa, where analysts reported 13 mm of rain. Source - http://www.brecorder.com/

17.02.2014

India - Farmers in region await bumper mango, cashew yield

India - Farmers in region await bumper mango, cashew yieldThe truant south west monsoon and the delayed yet abundant north east monsoon may have finally given mango and cashew farmers as well as traders of the three North Coastal Districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam finally something to smile about. With last year's monsoon conditions favouring cashew and mango crops in the region, they are hoping to reap a bumper harvest this year. While the mango crop has already gone past the flowering stage, with tiny fruit now visible in most places, the cashew plantations too have come good with most flowering profusely.The truant south west monsoon and the delayed yet abundant north east monsoon may have finally given mango and cashew farmers as well as traders of the three North Coastal Districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam finally something to smile about. With last year's monsoon conditions favouring cashew and mango crops in the region, they are hoping to reap a bumper harvest this year. While the mango crop has already gone past the flowering stage, with tiny fruit now visible in most places, the cashew plantations too have come good with most flowering profusely. Mango and cashew plantations in the three districts account for more than 1.5 lakh hectares and a bumper crop on such a scale would also mean a breather for the consumer, who has been battling rising prices. According to sources, while the average yield per annum in the region is 10 lakh tonnes per annum of mango and 30,000 tonnes of cashew (raw product including the kernel), this year the yield could be higher by 20-40% depending on the local conditions. Korada Appala Naidu, a trader who has taken a 100-acre farm on lease in Makkavaripalem Mandal, grudgingly admitted, "The prospects look good. However, for me to reap a bumper crop, I will have to keep my fingers crossed for anything going wrong locally. What if there is a hail storm or the temperatures suddenly shoot up. Till I get the crop in my hands I will not comment any more." In the case of mango, K Viswanatha Rao, a practicing horticulturist from Bapatla said, "This time we should have mango hitting the stalls by the end of April. Even varieties like Banaganapalli, that are late bloomers, are already in full bloom. This will definitely auger well for both the consumer as well as the farmer." He further added that the lack of high temperatures, combined with optimum humidity, ensured healthy flowering and said that the chances of the bloom withering in the heat would be very slim as by then the trees would be fruiting. Speaking on the reasons for the potentially good crop this year, G Prabhakar Rao, assistant director, horticulture department, Visakhapatnam, said, "One of the reasons the crop has come good is that in the case of cashew there have been two dry spells, one before the wet phase and one after. More importantly, the temperatures so far have been mild. Usually, on the east coast, the temperatures touch 35 degrees Celsius by this time of the year. But this has not been the case on the coastal belt this year. This factor, coupled with enough humidity will ensure good nut growth inside the kernel. We are definitely looking forward to a good cashew crop." On the mango front, he said the high moisture in the soil was mainly responsible for the mango blossom, while the lack of fog had helped things. When asked if the heavy inundation caused by recent cyclones had caused any major damage to the cashew crop, sources in the horticulture department said. "One of the main reasons why cashew cannot be damaged easily is because it is a tree that cannot be completed uprooted. More importantly, cashew and mango plantations are found in drier, upland areas on the east coast where most of the water is either drained out or sucked into the underground aquifers. In such a scenario it is not easy for long-term damage to happen to cashew plantations." However, many of the farmers have been left high and dry as it is mainly the wholesale merchants that are slated to take home all the moolah this year as they gave their farms on lease to the traders at lower rates because of the terrible crop in 2013. Challa Pydi Naidu, of Kasimkota Mandal, who leased out his 3-acre mixed cashew and mango plantation said, "I leased out my garden for a pittance at Rs 12,000. The merchant will take away all the profits this time. I had to cut down on my price this year as the merchant suffered losses last year. Both ways, the farmer loses as he never gets a chance to make a profit." Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

17.02.2014

Australia - Drought conditions persist across most of QLD

Australia - Drought conditions persist across most of QLDExtraordinarily dry conditions in Queensland continue to push families and businesses to the brink, with 70 per cent of the state drought-declared and more than 6,500 farmers affected. All ten shires in north west Queensland are still officially drought-declared, despite flooding rains along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast in recent weeks. Most areas were drought-declared as early as April last year, but many have now been battling extremely dry conditions for almost two years.Extraordinarily dry conditions in Queensland continue to push families and businesses to the brink, with 70 per cent of the state drought-declared and more than 6,500 farmers affected. North West Queensland All ten shires in north west Queensland are still officially drought-declared, despite flooding rains along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast in recent weeks. Most areas were drought-declared as early as April last year, but many have now been battling extremely dry conditions for almost two years. While graziers hope rainfall over the weekend is a sign that the season is breaking, it will take more rain activity to start the long road to recovery. Roger Underwood from Eversleigh Station near Hughenden says they've stopped listening to the forecasts. "When you're searching the skies and hoping like hell it's going to rain, you take every forecast and you're looking for answers all the time; and of course when it doesn't happen you're doubly disappointed because you were hoping that was going to be the one." Mr Underwood says they still hold out hope for rain that will allow them to keep the last of their cattle herd. "Towards the end of February we've had rain before, and you've got half a season which means you can keep something; but you have to keep in the back of your mind the fact that it's maybe not going to happen." Western Queensland Over the weekend rain made its way down to western Queensland. It's the first decent widespread rain this wet season, and for some, it's the first rain for more than 12 months. Grazier Pat Hegarty from Colanya Station, 100 kilometres west of Longreach, says the rain they received overnight is double what they recorded for the whole year in 2013. "It started to rain yesterday morning, we had good steady rain on-and-off all day. "We've had a total of 125 millimetres since 10am Sunday morning, which is just magnificent, because we only had 63 millimetres last year," he says. Despite falls over the weekend, the rain has been very patchy and is certainly not drought-breaking. All of western Queensland is currently drought-declared, some areas since April last year. Many are calling it the worst drought in history because of financial impacts, poor livestock markets and dry conditions. John Hamilton from Denton Station, near Longreach, says they hadn't fully recovered from previous dry spells. "We've been at Denton for 12 years now, and this is the worst I have ever seen it, because it's an ongoing drought that hasn't been broken." This drought has also brought mental health issues to the surface. Jill Mobbs from Gowrie, near Charleville, explains the emotional side-effects. "It's been absolutely horrendous, the animals, men and women are all completely worn out." North Queensland and Far North Queensland It's quite a different situation in the far north of the state, compared with conditions in the West. Mick Curtis from Bowthorn Station, near the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, is looking forward to his best season in three years. "It's just looking like it's going to be a great year grass wise and water wise, this rain is a godsend." Further inland, cattle producers around places like Greenvale, Charters towers, Hughenden. Richmond and Georgetown are in drought, with many forced to destock and cart water. Some producers were able to take advantage of six-month temporary agistment permits for national parks in north Queensland, but that arrangement finished at the end of last year and the government has ruled out any extension. despite a plea from some drought-affected graziers. Sally Turley has cattle near Greenvale, and says a sense of optimism has developed following scattered storms, despite the past gruelling year of drought. "The grazier is an optimistic beast, it doesn't take much to get them back in the swing of things." Cane growers around Townsville are feeling the effects of dry weather. Water in the country's biggest canegrower region of the Burdekin has become perilously low, and local grower Phil Marano says it's causing problems. "Certainly we've a lot less rainfall than normal, for this time of year and it is making growers struggle a bit." North of Townsville, around the cane growing region of the Herbert, there has been soaking falls. Rico Cazzulino had salt water incursions on his property and is hoping that recent rain will flush out the soil. "I've got my fingers crossed, hope we've been looked after from up above." Central Coast In the central coast region around Mackay it hasn't been the usual heavy wet season, but there's been lots of light falls creating perfect grass growing conditions. Both coastal graziers and cane farmers have reaped the benefits. However, as you cross the range and head west towards the coal fields, it's a mixed situation. At the start of the month, several cattle farmers were planning to apply for individual drought declarations. Conditions were worsening around the Nebo, Moranbah and Valkyrie areas, but within the last week they've had some rain and relief. The water levels have been replenished following heavy rain from cyclone Dylan, which has run through the Fitzroy River system. While those farmers are breathing a sigh of relief, moving further west from Moranbah towards Clermont water is a growing concern. Part of the Isaac regional council is drought-declared, taking in the Clermont grazing region, where both water and pasture are in very short supplies. The expectation is there's more rain to come, but autumn weather won't deliver ideal conditions for growing grass, meaning feed may not last the rest of the year. Central Queensland In Central Queensland conditions are varied, with significant rain in some areas due to Cyclone Dylan. While its visibly greener around Rockhampton, further west towards the Central Highlands people are still doing it tough. Good sorghum prices saw growers on the highlands hold out hope for last minute rain to get a crop in. Producers north of Emerald received some rain at the eleventh hour and were able to plant a reasonable amount of sorghum, but those in the southern highlands weren't so lucky. Despite the situation in Central Queensland, there is mounting concern for those in the west. Students from the Cathedral College in Rockhampton used Valentine's Day as an opportunity to raise money for St Vincent de Paul's drought appeal, selling chocolates, flowers and even singing telegrams. There have been many kind gestures: one truck driver waived the freight fee when he delivered truck loads of hay and cotton seed to the McKinlay shire, while a group from Biloela is organising a special appeal, delivering donations to Windorah. Wide Bay Burnett Further south to the Wide Bay Burnett, areas that were in flood 12 months ago are now slipping into drought. Parts of the Gympie region are expected to be drought-declared in less than a fortnight, as the state's agriculture minister has pushed forward a meeting of the local drought committee. Hundreds of producers west of the Mary River haven't had decent rain since the floods and are dealing with their driest weather in decades. Deputy mayor and cattle producer Tony Perrett was drought declared late last week - believed to be the first in the region. He's supplement feeding 800 Brahman cross-breeders at his property at Kilkivan, and hopes the declaration helps with finances but also attracts wider support. "If the Federal Government decides that they're in a position to be able to support primary producers across Queensland and New South Wales and across Australia, then we might be eligible for further assistance." Meanwhile, several producers in the North and South Burnett are applying for individual drought declarations. Southern Queensland In Southern Queensland, the Maraona and Balonne Shire's are drought-declared. Further east the western and Darling Downs parched cropping belt isn't officially in drought but also desperately needs rain. Agronomist Paul McIntosh says he's astonished how well the crops have survived given the lack of rain. Now all eyes are on the sky in anticipation for rain predicted for most of Queensland this week. Source - http://www.abc.net.au/

17.02.2014

Sri Lanka - Drought parches farms, threatens hydropower

Sri Lanka - Drought parches farms, threatens hydropowerIn mid-January, when a thick morning fog descended on some parts of Sri Lanka’s arid North Central province, the older generation was quick to take note. Local lore has it that unusually heavy fog is a harbinger of severe drought. In fact, the impact of dry weather is already clear to see. The island nation has had no significant rains since mid-November and its longest river, the Mahaweli, has been reduced to a trickle in some stretches. Experts in Sri Lanka fear that despite the increased frequency of extreme dry seasons, the country still lacks measures to ease the impact on vital sectors like agriculture.In mid-January, when a thick morning fog descended on some parts of Sri Lanka’s arid North Central province, the older generation was quick to take note. Local lore has it that unusually heavy fog is a harbinger of severe drought. In fact, the impact of dry weather is already clear to see. The island nation has had no significant rains since mid-November and its longest river, the Mahaweli, has been reduced to a trickle in some stretches. Experts in Sri Lanka fear that despite the increased frequency of extreme dry seasons, the country still lacks measures to ease the impact on vital sectors like agriculture, energy and water resources. Ranjith Punyawardena, chief climatologist at the Department of Agriculture, said that this year’s main paddy rice harvest was likely to shrink by 7-10 percent due to the shortage of rainfall. “The lack of rains from November meant that the planted extent was reduced,” Punyawardena said. The loss could be around 280,000 tonnes, he estimates, pushing the year’s yield below 4 million tonnes. But the shocks are unlikely to be limited to the main harvest. The secondary harvest, due mid-year, depends on residual irrigation from the main harvesting season, but Punyawardena said that the lack of rains means there is less water left over this season. “The water situation is very critical right now,” he said. Ranbanda Punchihewa, a farmer from Anuradhapura district in North Central Province, has limited his planting to about half his usual one-acre (0.4-hectare) extent as a result of the drought. “I did not want to take the risk of losing my full crop. I decided to plant half and make sure that I was able to save it,” he said. With warnings that the warming El Nino weather system may make a comeback later this year, the impact of the dry weather is likely to be felt across Sri Lanka’s farms. Ranga Pallawala, head of the Energy and Urban Programme at Practical Action, a non-governmental organisation that works on climate-related issues, said that last year, for the first time in a decade, there were reports that coconut trees had died due to severe dry weather. “There is increased intensity of the dry and wet weather experienced right now,” he said. “There are periods of very dry weather and then heavy rains.” The country’s vital tea sector, which according to Pallawala provides income for almost 10 percent of the country’s population of a little over 20 million, is also facing a heat-related threat. Tea exports are estimated to have reaped $1.5 billion in export revenues in 2013, but rising temperatures are likely to have a negative impact on the quality of the crop, Pallawala said, as heat affects the leaves. LESS HYDROPOWER The island’s power generators will also see costs rise if the rains fail. In normal years around 40 percent of Sri Lanka’s power demand is met through hydropower generation. If the rains are good, this share can even rise to more than 50 percent. But in years of poor rainfall the country is forced to rely heavily on expensive thermal power generation, as it was in 2012. That year, half of Sri Lanka’s $4.2 billion oil import bill was for furnace oil for the generators. Last year finance secretary Punchi Banda Jayasundera admitted that the country’sx balance of payments was adversely impacted by the high cost of importing oil. Asoka Abeygunawardana, executive director of the Sri Lanka Energy Forum and an advisor to the country’s technology ministry, said that Sri Lanka’s long-term energy plans rely on hydropower generation for at least 30 percent of the country’s power needs. He believes Sri Lanka must look at renewable energy and alternative energy sources to shake its dependency on oil and on rainfall. Agriculture department official Punyawardena said that if Sri Lanka was to meet the challenges posed by extended warm weather conditions, it also must change its attitude to water usage. “Water today is an expensive luxury good. It should be treated like one,” he said, adding that farmers needed to consider adopting climate-resistant crop varieties instead of depending on the current varieties. BUILDING AWARENESS While research is being conducted on the impact of climate change, he added, the same kind of intensity is lacking in building public awareness. “We train farmers on fertilizer use, likewise we need to train them on using water effectively,” he said. Pallawala, of Practical Action, said that newer and innovative technologies need to be used, such as drip irrigation in coconut plantations and beginning irritation in tea plantations. “There is some irrigation now being used in a small scale in the coconut sector,” he said. But the climate expert observed that building mass awareness on the impacts of changing climate patterns must involve those at the top as well as farmers. “When government officials are given basic administrative training, a component on changing climate and impact is now imperative. But this a process and will take time to bear results,” he said. “I think the policy initiatives are taking place, (but) what we lack is people’s knowledge on how the changing climate patterns are having an effect on their lives.” Source - http://www.trust.org/

17.02.2014

USA - Governor declares drought in four SE Oregon counties

USA - Governor declares drought in four SE Oregon countiesThe drought declaration applies to Klamath, Lake, Harney and Malheur counties. All applied for the state designation, which allows for greater flexibility in water management. There are no estimates of crop damage from drought, but there is great concern that crops will be impacted this year, with places like Malheur and Klamath counties specifically at risk. That's also causing some growers right now to make decisions to plant less acreage in order to have enough water for what is planted.Gov. John Kitzhaber on Friday declared a drought in four counties in the high desert of southeastern Oregon. More are likely to follow. The drought declaration applies to Klamath, Lake, Harney and Malheur counties. Kitzhaber said all applied for the state designation, which allows for greater flexibility in water management. "It's sobering having this conversation about drought declarations in four counties in February, and we've already had a couple wildfires," he said. "It looks to me like this is the tip of something long." Kitzhaber said he expected Jackson County to be next. A federal drought disaster declaration is needed to authorize federal aid, Oregon Department of Agriculture spokesman Bruce Pokarney said. Last month, agricultural producers in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties became eligible for federal low-interest loans because they border drought disaster areas in California designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Drought Monitor showed severe drought across all but the northernmost tier of counties in Oregon. Kitzhaber said he is considering bringing together mayors and watermasters to talk about voluntary water conservation measures, but he does not expect mandatory steps to be needed yet. He noted that snowpack has been as low as 20 percent and precipitation half of normal along the border with California, where a drought was declared last month. "The drought will not be resolved without prolonged, substantial snow and rainfall," Kitzhaber said in a statement. "Irrigators, ranchers, fisheries and communities are under severe stress form both water shortages and the risk of wildfires on top of last season's record conditions." Just what sort of federal help will be available is not clear. After last year's drought declaration, some farmers on the Klamath Reclamation Project, a federal irrigation project straddling the Oregon-California border, got money for idling land. But upper basin ranchers got nothing when they had to stop irrigating pasture out of rivers because the Klamath Tribes exercised newly recognized water rights to protect fish. After the shutoff, ranchers got together with the tribes to work out agreements for sharing water. Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallams said this summer will be worse than last, with the state shutting off irrigation wells, as well as withdrawals from rivers. There are no estimates of crop damage from drought, Pokarney said, but "there is great concern that crops will be impacted this year, with places like Malheur and Klamath counties specifically at risk. That's also causing some growers right now to make decisions to plant less acreage in order to have enough water for what is planted." Source - http://www.katu.com/

17.02.2014

India - Sporadic showers, cold wave pose threat to crops

India - Sporadic showers, cold wave pose threat to cropsIntermittent showers on Saturday posed a major threat to cash crops like grapes, wheat and onion. Most parts of the Nashik district witnessed sporadic showers or drizzles which raised the humidity levels very high at night. This forced the farmers to stop their activity of plucking fruits from plants and ensure that the grapes that were already plucked were kept in a dry place. This is also the time when diseases are likely to attack plants and fruits. Generally, plants develop fungus because of the prevailing conditions and farmers have to be quick in spraying insecticides to protect the yield.Intermittent showers on Saturday posed a major threat to cash crops like grapes, wheat and onion, officials from the agriculture department said. Most parts of the district witnessed sporadic showers or drizzles which raised the humidity levels very high at night. This forced the farmers to stop their activity of plucking fruits from plants and ensure that the grapes that were already plucked were kept in a dry place. "This is also the time when diseases are likely to attack plants and fruits. Generally, plants develop fungus because of the prevailing conditions and farmers have to be quick in spraying insecticides to protect the yield," an officer from the agriculture department of the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University said. At the same time, chilly weather is harmful for fruits (grapes) and bulbs (onions) which are likely to crack. "Once cracked, the crop cannot be saved. The time is very short and farmers have to be wary of the changing weather conditions. The chill is dangerous for the crops and farmers will have to use every opportunity that comes their way to remove the ready crop from plants," the officer said. "This is the time when grapes are being plucked and packed for transportation. Around this time the water supply to grapes is stopped and the sour fruit is on the verge of turning sweet. This requires ample amount of sunlight and good temperatures, around 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, and dry weather. The rains are playing spoilsport for the crops," Ganesh Dugaje, a grape farmer from Dindori, said. Rajaram Salunkhe, another farmer from Niphad, pointed out that the condition was similar for wheat and other crops. "The plants have to be watched very minutely. The rapid changes in temperature and weather conditions do not allow the farmers a chance to save their crops. The temperatures and humidity conditions cannot be managed and hence the crops are likely to be damaged. There are a number of farmers who have met the agriculture officers to look into the issue," Salunkhe said. An agriculture officer from the Superintendent of Agriculture's Office (SAO) said there were reports from the taluka agriculture officers about the possible damage of crops but the picture would be clearer on Monday. "Owing to Sunday, which was a holiday, we are unable to access the damage. The picture would be clear on Monday," the officer said. The revenue officials further said the orders of the panchanama would be given soon. "The district received around 1 mm of rainfall on Saturday, accompanied by cold winds which affected the crops. We are waiting for reports to get the picture of the situation. We will get some ideas from the tehsildars on Monday, after which, we will be able to order panchanamas to get the exact level of damage," the official from the district collectorate said. Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

17.02.2014

USA - California Drought Signals Dry Summer for Texas-to-Iowa Crops

USA - California Drought Signals Dry Summer for Texas-to-Iowa CropsThe same weather pattern that helped to cause drought in California and South America this year may migrate east into the central U.S. during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. A clash between cold air in the northern U.S. and warm weather in the south may bring extreme weather. Freezing temperatures in May will threaten wheat crops in the Great Plains. June rain may help to boost soil moisture from North Dakota to Illinois, while hot weather in July and August will increase crop stress.The same weather pattern that helped to cause drought in California and South America this year may migrate east into the central U.S. during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer, a climate forecaster said. A strong upper-atmosphere ridge anchored over Alaska and in the southeast South Pacific near Indonesia suggest that drought conditions from Texas to Iowa may intensify from June to August after a brief period of above-normal rain from May to early June, according to Scott Yuknis, the lead forecaster with Middleboro, Massachusetts-based Climate Impact Co. There will be “beneficial late spring, early summer rains in the northern Great Plains,” Yuknis said in an e-mail. “Otherwise, central U.S. drought strengthens this summer. Spring rains will be too spotty to ease central U.S. drought.” A clash between cold air in the northern U.S. and warm weather in the south may bring extreme weather, Yuknis said. Freezing temperatures in May will threaten wheat crops in the Great Plains, Yuknis said. June rain may help to boost soil moisture from North Dakota to Illinois, while hot weather in July and August will increase crop stress. About 22 percent of the Great Plains was rated in moderate-to-extreme drought on Feb. 11, while 17 percent of the Midwest was rated in drought, data from the U.S. Drought Monitor show. Cooler-than-normal water temperatures in the northern Pacific Ocean and warm waters across the northern Atlantic Ocean increase the risks for hot, dry weather from Texas to the Ohio River Valley this year, Yuknis said. The center of the excessive heat this year will be Oklahoma and spread over parts of Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. Source - http://www.businessweek.com/

14.02.2014

Good turns of the humble worm

Good turns of the humble wormThe humble earthworm is worth its weight in gold when it comes to on farm soil productivity and protecting waterways from the impacts of farming. Common earthworms introduced from Europe by pakeha settlers in the 1800s improve the general condition of farming soils, reduce surface runoff of contaminants from pasture and prevent soil erosion generally. These introduced earthworms are, in fact, essential to the development of fertile productive soil. They act as biological aerators and physical conditioners of the soil, improve soil porosity, structure, aggregate stability and water retention.The humble earthworm is worth its weight in gold when it comes to on farm soil productivity and protecting waterways from the impacts of farming. Common earthworms introduced from Europe by pakeha settlers in the 1800s improve the general condition of farming soils, reduce surface runoff of contaminants from pasture and prevent soil erosion generally. These introduced earthworms are, in fact, essential to the development of fertile productive soil. They act as biological aerators and physical conditioners of the soil, improve soil porosity, structure, aggregate stability and water retention. Earthworms also increase the population, activity and diversity of soil microbes, such as actinomycetes and mycorrhizal fungi. These microbes play a vital role in the supply of nutrients to pasture, digesting soil and fertiliser and unlocking nutrients such as phosphorus that are fixed by the soil. Soils without enough of the right type of earthworms are usually poorly structured and tend to develop a turf mat or thatch of slowly decomposing peat-like material at the surface. Old dung and dead plant material lie about the surface. These factors can naturally inhibit pasture and crop production. Lower producing grasses are often more evident than ryegrass on these types of soils as well. Pasture growth is slow to start in spring and stops early in autumn. Plant nutrients tend to remain locked in the organic layer and there is poor absorption of applied fertiliser. Plants roots in such soils are relatively shallow and pastures are therefore susceptible to drought. And, as indicated earlier, water runs off this type of pasture more easily rather than being absorbed into the soil, increasing water quality problems. To help avoid these types of problems, soils should have a good diversity of relevant earthworm species. The most common introduced earthworm in New Zealand is Aporrectodea calignosa, a topsoil dweller. This earthworm grows up to 90 millimetres long and may vary in colour from grey to pink or cream. Another very common introduced earthworm is Lumbricus rubellus, a surface dweller. Often found under cow pats, this earthworm will grow up to 150 mm long. It is reddish-brown or reddish-purple colouring with a pale underside and flattened tail. Aporrectodea longa live in burrows as deep as 2-3 metres below the surface. Undertaking an earthworm count will let farmers know if they have enough of the right type. Counts should preferably be done late winter to early spring when soil moisture and temperature conditions are ideal. Counts can be done by taking out a 20 centimetre cube of soil with a spade. Aim to have an earthworm number of between 30 and 35 in that cube. If soils are scoring way below that there is a range of ways to increase their populations: - Ensure soil calcium levels are near 7 as calcium promotes earthworm reproduction. - Maintain soil pH between 5.8 - 6.3. - Limit use of fumigants and other pesticides. - Reduce ammonium-based fertilisers as they make soils acidic. Also, moist soils promote earthworm spread and activity and more will remain active in topsoil during summer under irrigation. Direct drilling and no tillage cultivation methods is another way to promote help earthworm numbers. Use a mould board or disc plough rather than a rotary hoe. Cropping farms should include a phase of pasture in their cropping rotation to increase organic matter returns. Source - http://www.voxy.co.nz/

14.02.2014

Canada - AFSC reminds producers of Feb 28 deadline for hay and pasture insurance

Canada - AFSC reminds producers of Feb 28 deadline for hay and pasture insuranceAs the February 28 deadline approaches for Fairview-area farmers to insure their pasture and hay land this year, above-average to normal snow cover across the Peace region and much of the province has livestock producers feeling hopeful about the potential growth they’ll get on their hay and pasture once the snow melts this spring. Last year, dry conditions in early spring and late summer triggered more than $4.4 million in hay and pasture insurance in some areas across the province, including the M.D. of Fairview.As the February 28 deadline approaches for Fairview-area farmers to insure their pasture and hay land this year, above-average to normal snow cover across the Peace region and much of the province has livestock producers feeling hopeful about the potential growth they’ll get on their hay and pasture once the snow melts this spring. “We had a relatively dry fall so all of the snow we’ve gotten so far this winter should definitely help kick-start growth on forage crops in the spring – depending on how slow or fast it melts and how much of that moisture soaks in. There is very little frost in the ground so that should help in terms of snow melt moving into the ground this spring,” says Calvin Yoder, a forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) in the Peace region. He adds the thick blanket of snow should also help insulate perennial forage plants, reducing the risk of winterkill this year. Dry Soil Conditions Beneath the Snow In the M.D. of Fairview, provincial moisture maps show that soil moisture beneath the snow as of late January is generally moderately low to low. Snow cover is generally moderately high. Perennial hay and pasture crops depend on plenty of moisture early in the spring for healthy growth, says Yoder. “So in the end, it always comes down to spring moisture and rainfall in late May and early June. That’s what really makes or breaks our forage production across the region every year,” he says. Last year, dry conditions in early spring and late summer triggered more than $4.4 million in hay and pasture insurance in some areas across the province, including the M.D. of Fairview, says John Kresowaty, with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). AFSC is the Crown corporation that provides crop insurance to Alberta farmers on behalf of the provincial and federal governments. “When the rain finally came in late May and June, we ended up with strong growth on hay and pasture in most regions,” says Kresowaty. He notes last year’s total payout is among the lowest in more than a decade due to favourable precipitation and good growing conditions in June and July. The highest payout years for hay and pasture insurance were during the droughts of 2009 when $56 million was paid in claims, and 2002 when $89 million was paid out. Of course, nobody can predict what will happen this spring, says ARD provincial soil moisture specialist, Ralph Wright. “It could be wet or the snow could melt quickly and things could turn hot and dry. If it’s a cold spring, the snow could linger, delaying hay and pasture growth. There’s still two months of winter left. Anything’s possible. It’s really a wait-and-see game because weather is so random,” says Wright. 7.5 Million Acres Insured Unpredictable weather is the biggest reason Alberta producers insure about 7.5 million acres of hay and pasture across the province every year through AFSC Perennial Insurance programs, says Kresowaty. Cattle producer Glenn Leitch says deep snow on his cow-calf and backgrounder operation northeast of Fairview near Brownvale has him feeling reasonably positive about the outlook on his pastures this year. “We didn’t have a lot of fall moisture but the snow has really piled up so things are looking pretty good as long we get some rain through the growing season.” Leitch says he buys Perennial Insurance on his pasture every year so that when the rain doesn’t come, he has extra money to help cover the cost of replacement feed for his cattle. “At least you know you’re going to have that income to buy feed instead of having to liquidate the herd.” He says protecting his feed supply with pasture insurance is becoming more important as more farmers have been taking forage land out of production and seeding it to wheat or canola to cash in on commodity prices. “Not having those acres in hay or grass could be a big issue if we hit another dry spell and need to find extra forage for our cattle,” he says, explaining he had to ship hay from two and a half hours away during the last drought a few years ago. 12 New Weather Stations Added New to Perennial Insurance this year is the addition of 12 new weather stations to the provincial network AFSC uses to determine payouts on Perennial Insurance programs for hay and pasture. “We now have 238 weather stations across Alberta that measure precipitation and other weather data,” says Kresowaty, noting one of those stations is near Hazel, northeast of Fairview. “It’s important to have as many stations as possible so clients can select stations in close proximity to their land base that best represent weather conditions on their farm.” Farmers who take Moisture Deficiency Insurance on their pasture or include it as a rider on hay insurance select up to three weather stations, he explains. If accumulated moisture at these stations falls below normal over the growing season, a claim is triggered. Kresowaty says hay insurance also protects against yield losses caused by perils such as hail, flood, insects, disease, lightning, winterkill, and wildlife damage. Source - http://www.fairviewpost.com/

14.02.2014

Extreme Weather Hits Hard Worldwide

Extreme Weather Hits Hard WorldwideFrom unprecedented storms and flooding in the UK to severe drought in California and Brazil, 2014 has kicked off with some exceptional and weird weather events. The UK is experiencing its most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years, with hundreds of flood alert warnings covering much of the country and hundreds of home left inundated. Like cities across Brazil, Sao Paulo is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years, with last month the hottest January on record. The Western U.S. is facing similar problems.From unprecedented storms and flooding in the UK to severe drought in California and Brazil, 2014 has kicked off with some exceptional and weird weather events. The UK is experiencing its most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years, with hundreds of flood alert warnings covering much of the country and hundreds of home left inundated. Scientists are increasingly able to link the upward trends in extreme weather to climate change and these latest examples are giving them even more evidence. The prolonged storms have played havoc across the country since December, with more than 130 severe flood risk warnings meaning a potential threat to life issued and more than 5,000 homes flooded. This week fourteen severe warnings remain in place, with no let up of the rain in sight. And as the country tries to get a grip on the situation, the UK Met Office has said that “all evidence suggests there is a link to climate change.” Julia Slingo, chief scientist at the Met Office said: Nobody has come forward to counter the basic premise that if you have a warmer world you are doing to get more intense heavy rain rates. We know that warmer air holds more water. Across the globe in Brazil, residents in Sao Paulo South America’s largest city are facing the opposite problem, as record heat and drought have sparked fears of water shortages. The city is on alert following warnings the system that provides half the its drinking water could run dry in the next 40 days. Like cities across Brazil, Sao Paulo is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years, with last month the hottest January on record. The combination of low precipitation and extreme heat right across the country are not only sparking fears of water shortages but also of crop damage and higher energy prices. The Western U.S. is facing similar problems, as the state of California is in the grips of what is likely to be the region’s worst drought in 500 years. Low snowpack in the mountains are leaving the state’s creeks, rivers and reservoirs which provide essential water and hydroelectric power for cities and the agricultural industry dry, putting food prices at risk. Meanwhile, wildfires continue to plague the region at increased rates. Brazil and California aren’t the only places experiencing record drought and heat. In Alaska, record high temperatures have triggered a series of extremely large avalanches, with debris piles more than 30 metres thick blocking off towns from highway access. Stifling heat in Australia is also causing havoc, after the country suffered through its hottest January in 13 years—the fourth hottest on record. The dry and hot conditions have left scores of wildfires raging across southeast Australia, and are threatening the country’s agriculture production, as farmers struggle to provide water for their cattle and crops. Scientists warn that “climate change is loading the dice” for more extreme heat, with a new Climate Council report warning that climate change’s influence on the doubling number of hot days Australia experienced in 2008 compared to 1971. A slew of deadly flooding events are also hitting communities around the world. In Bolivia flooding and landslides have so far claimed 42 lives this year, while flooding in northern Indonesia has killed 13 people and driven tens of thousands more from their homes, and in Mozambique 11 people have been killed in flooding. Extreme rainfall is also hitting countries across mainland Europe. Large parts of France and Italy are under flood alert, with hundreds of people being forced out of their homes. The heavy rain and flooding have also claimed three lives in Italy and two in France. In Romania heavy snowfall has been the problem, blocking roads and railways across the country and leaving schools closed and thousands stranded both in their homes and on the roads. Cold weather has also been playing havoc in Slovenia, where trees, buildings and cars have been encased in thick ice, causing perilous conditions as power lines and tress tumbling to the ground. The government estimates that around 40 percent of the country’s forests have been damaged by the cold snap. The latest examples of extreme weather come as research from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) showed that the planet continues to warm and that 2013 was among the ten warmest years since modern records began in 1850. Analyzing data from the three main global records of surface temperatures—the UK’s Met Office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA in the U.S. the WMO concluded that 2013 was the sixth warmest year since records began more than 160 years ago. Source - http://therealnews.com/

14.02.2014

India - Rs.50-crore for Tamil Nadu cotton mission

India - Rs.50-crore for Tamil Nadu cotton missionThe government will launch a Rs.50-crore Tamil Nadu Cotton Cultivation Mission to boost the cotton production in the State. Cotton was cultivated on 3.34 lakh acres with a production of four lakh bales. But all the 1,948 spinning mills in the State required 110 lakh bales per year. As part of the government’s efforts to improve on-farm productivity and farmer’s income, various sub-projects would be taken up. Moreover, the crop loan target for the co-operatives would be enhanced to an unprecedented level of Rs. 5,000 crore.The government will launch a Rs.50-crore Tamil Nadu Cotton Cultivation Mission to boost the cotton production in the State, said Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam in his budget speech on Thursday. The Minister said cotton was cultivated on 3.34 lakh acres with a production of four lakh bales. But all the 1,948 spinning mills in the State required 110 lakh bales per year. Under the mission, at least 3.70 lakh acres will be brought under cotton cultivation in 2014-15 and ultimately the cultivation will be expanded to 6 lakh acres in the next five years. He said as part of the government’s efforts to improve on-farm productivity and farmer’s income, various sub-projects would be taken up under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) at a cost of Rs. 323 crore. Moreover, the crop loan target for the co-operatives would be enhanced to an unprecedented level of Rs. 5,000 crore. The allocation for crop insurance was Rs 242.54 crore. Earlier, the DMK and its allies staged a walkout from the House alleging that the time of tabling the budget was changed without consulting them. Source - http://www.thehindu.com/

14.02.2014

Cold weather could have harmed fruit

Cold weather could have harmed fruitNo one doubts this winter has brought significantly lower temperatures than usual. Will this be a year without peaches, grapes and blackberries? There are many factors to consider. Not just the type of fruit, as in peaches vs. berries, but the variety of each fruit a grower is concerned with. Among grapes, for example, the imported French varieties are generally not as hardy as the natives such as Concord or Niagara. Grape damage may therefore vary widely, and some will have a little damage, but still produce a crop.No one doubts this winter has brought significantly lower temperatures than usual. Will this be a year without peaches, grapes and blackberries? There are many factors to consider. • Variety: Not just the type of fruit, as in peaches vs. berries, but the variety of each fruit a grower is concerned with. Among grapes, for example, the imported French varieties are generally not as hardy as the natives such as Concord or Niagara. Grape damage may therefore vary widely, and some will have a little damage, but still produce a crop. Wine vintners may have a less productive year. Wine prices should be interesting to watch because the California drought has altered expectations from producers in the Napa Valley area. Blackberries may survive the winter, but the new growth on which the berries are produced may collapse early in the season. Thornless blackberry cultivars expected to have good winter hardiness include Arapaho, Chester and Dirksen. Peach varieties Reliance and Belle of Georgia are listed as very hardy. A Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory paper says you start to see some bud kill on peaches at 10 degrees below zero; for every degree below that, 10 percent more buds are killed. At 20 degrees below zero or lower, there is complete mortality. Temperatures in this area have been as low as -15, so no doubt the peach crop will suffer. • Microclimate: Even within the same plot of ground or geographic area, temperatures and growing conditions may vary greatly. Most gardeners have learned that what will grow in one spot in their yard or garden may not grow in another. The site of the planting may well make a difference in whether some or all of a crop will be lost. A few years ago, the peach crop was fatally damaged by late spring frosts. In that year, few orchards had peaches for sale, but one local orchard had many. The growers attributed the crop to the location of the orchard (hilltop rather than valley). Frost and freezing air temperatures are different, so that may make a difference this year. • Duration: Hardiness varies from fruit to fruit, but in general subzero temperatures need to be in place for several hours to cause bud damage. On days when the temperature struggled to return to zero, damage would have been at its worst. Weather Underground reports no days in 2014 when the temperature has been below zero for 24 hours. We actually can’t tell until the growing season begins whether the crop damage will be significant. It may offer gardeners a chance for new varieties but woe to those who earn from their crops. To echo the Purdue paper, “Right now there’s nothing growers can do except stay inside, keep warm, and keep their fingers crossed.” Source - http://www.newarkadvocate.com/

14.02.2014

Storm, floods and high winds threaten to batter Great Britain

Storm, floods and high winds threaten to batter Great BritainFlooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds on Wednesday, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. Gusts approaching 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London. More than 1,100 properties along the Thames have been flooded since January 29.Flooded communities in Britain faced a fresh battering from storms and high winds on Wednesday, with hundreds more homes threatened by the advancing waters. Gusts approaching 100 miles (160 kilometres) per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London. One man died after being electrocuted while attempting to move a fallen tree in Wiltshire, south west England, police announced. More than 1,100 properties along the Thames have been flooded since January 29, authorities said. More soldiers were drafted in to rescue residents and lay sandbags in deluged villages where primary schools have been transformed into makeshift emergency centres. The Met Office national weather service issued a red warning -- the highest threat level -- for “exceptionally strong winds” in western parts of Wales and northwest England. Coastal areas in western England could also be flooded after being pounded by high waves. Fourteen severe flood warnings -- indicating a danger to life -- were in place in Berkshire and Surrey to the west of London, while two remain in Somerset in southwest England, the first area to be badly hit. Forecasters said 70 millimetres (2.75 inches) of rain would fall by Friday in southwest England. Emergency efforts were picking up following criticism of a sluggish response, and the military said 2,000 soldiers were available to help, with hundreds pressed into action already. In Wraysbury, the Thameside village that has been submerged since the weekend, 83-year-old Jennie Francis’s house has flooded and her hallway was filled with water. Source - http://manilastandardtoday.com/

13.02.2014

USA - Winter adjustments guard against loss

USA - Winter adjustments guard against lossWinter weather conditions have certainly hit with a vengeance this year in a wide swath of the cattle-producing areas of the United States. While you can’t change the weather, there are some things that can be done from a management standpoint to improve cattle comfort and reduce the impacts on cattle performance and efficiency during the winter.Winter weather conditions have certainly hit with a vengeance this year in a wide swath of the cattle-producing areas of the United States. While we can’t change the weather, there are some things that can be done from a management standpoint to improve cattle comfort and reduce the impacts on cattle performance and efficiency during the winter, said South Dakota State University Extension cow/calf field specialist Warren Rusche. Wind protection One of the most effective methods to reduce the impact of cold stress on cattle is to provide protection from the wind. Reducing the wind speed from 20 miles per hour to 5 miles per hour or less will reduce maintenance energy requirements by as much as 30 percent. “Temporary windbreaks are very well suited for feedlots as they could be removed during the summer months when maximum air movement is desirable,” Rusche said in a news release. Bedding Several research trials have shown advantages to providing bedding during extreme winter weather conditions. Researchers from the Carrington Research Extension Center in North Dakota found cattle that were provided bedding gained faster (0.86 pounds increased average daily gain) and more efficiently than their non-bedded counterparts. These cattle also had increased carcass weights and a greater percentage grading Choice. “These researchers also found that the type of crop residue used can affect performance,” Rusche said. He explained there was a tendency for calves bedded with corn stalks to consume less dry matter from the ration compared to cattle bedded with wheat straw, resulting in slower gains in those calves. “If cattle producers have both straw and corn stover available, there may be an economic benefit to dedicating straw supplies to bedding and using the corn stover as a roughage source,” he said. Water and feed delivery Extreme cold temperatures can test the limits of both people and machines like very few other weather conditions. “Consequently, delivering feed and keeping water available can be a challenge. Successfully accomplishing both tasks is critically important to maintaining acceptable animal performance. Being prepared as much as possible ahead of forecasted winter storms will help keep storm-related disruptions to a minimum,” he said. Managing feed intake Managing feed intake is another challenge in the winter. Cold temperatures generally tend to increase feed intake. However, intakes can be reduced during severe cold stress and wind chill because cattle become reluctant to leave shelter to come up to the bunk or feeder. Any adjustments made to feed deliveries should be made conservatively to avoid digestive upset. Rations that are based on large amounts of low-quality roughage may need to be adjusted or supplemented with higher-quality feedstuffs to ensure that energy intake is adequate. A ration that may work under “normal” conditions might not be sufficient during severe cold stress. Pen maintenance As much as possible, snow that accumulates in the pen or lot should be removed. This winter’s snow becomes next spring’s mud, so reducing the amount that builds up in the pen will correspond to faster drying when the snow melts. Removing snow and ice from around waterers and bunk lines will provide better footing for the cattle and easier access to feed and water. Source - http://www.iowafarmertoday.com/

13.02.2014

Brazil's coffee belt grapples with rare threat: dry heat

Brazil's coffee belt grapples with rare threat: dry heatIn Brazil's coffee belt, frost has long been the biggest risk for farmers and commodities traders alike. But after years of migrating to warmer regions, farmers here now find themselves scrambling to overcome an unusual phenomenon: blistering heat. January was the hottest and driest month on record in much of southeastern Brazil, punishing crops in the country's agricultural heartland and sending commodities prices sharply higher in global markets. In Brazil's coffee belt, frost has long been the biggest risk for farmers and commodities traders alike. But after years of migrating to warmer regions, farmers here now find themselves scrambling to overcome an unusual phenomenon: blistering heat. January was the hottest and driest month on record in much of southeastern Brazil, punishing crops in the country's agricultural heartland and sending commodities prices sharply higher in global markets. As signs emerged that the world's largest coffee crop was withering, futures prices shot up 26 percent over a seven-day stretch to a nine-month high. The heat wave has thrust many Brazilian coffee farmers into the unknown. January, typically the wettest month for the coffee belt, caught most farmers off guard, leaving them with few options but to count their losses. A few, such as Marcio Diogo, a third generation coffee farmer in Espirito Santo do Pinhal in Sao Paulo state, are scrambling to install irrigation lines to limit those losses, which may have reached 30 percent of output on his 75-hectare (185.2-acre) farm, according to his count. "My grandfather started here 80 years ago ... never seen a January like this," Diogo said walking through a field of 25,000 freshly planted coffee trees that he ordered six months ago. "I've had to water this field six times by tractor," he went on, something he normally doesn't have to do. The drought couldn't come at a worse time for Diogo and other farmers, who have struggled with weak global coffee prices over the past two years. It's still unclear whether the recent spike in prices, in part driven by Brazil's drought, will eventually offset the loss in output from the dry weather. Celso Scanavachi, an agronomist at the local coffee cooperative Coopinhal, said farms in the region got only 10-12 centimeters (3.9-4.7 inches) of rainfall in January, less than half the month's average precipitation. Espirito Santo do Pinhal, nestled along the border between two of Brazil's biggest arabica growing states, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo, is not alone. Two hours to the north in southern Minas Gerais, which produces 25 percent of Brazil's coffee crop, between 4.5 and 8.6 centimeters of rainfall fell last month, when 26.5-30.1 centimeters are average. No doubt, 2014 will go down as the worst drought in recent history in Brazil's coffee belt. The impact, however, is still hard to gauge. The government estimated the crop at up to 50 million 60-kg bags before the drought, while market estimates put it at 60 million bags. Future estimates will likely fall for several months as analysts and farmers get a more precise understanding of the damage. "It's clear there will be losses but nobody knows yet how big because this has never happened. We are in uncharted territory," Lucio Dias said. Whatever the damage, the world is unlikely to run out of coffee anytime soon, thanks to the large stockpiles of beans amassed in recent years. RELIEF ON THE HORIZON Some short-term relief appears to be on its way. A cold front moved over southern Brazil on Wednesday and should bring some moisture to agricultural crops in the coming days, though widespread rainfall in the coffee belt is not expected until Feb. 20. Still, it's unlikely the rains will be heavy enough to reverse the damage to the crops or make up for the rainfall lost in January and early February. "Those are the peak months for the rainy season and they are over," said Celso Custodio, a senior meteorologist at forecaster Somar Meteorologia. To be sure, Brazil's coffee belt has suffered droughts before, but rarely in January, when the Southern Hemisphere summer heat is offset by tropical downpours almost daily. The dry season runs from April through September, and can sometimes stretch into November but temperatures are lower then. Volatility in coffee futures prices has traditionally come with frost, hints of which can send contract prices up 10 percent in a matter of minutes. The cold snaps of 1975 and 1999, the worst in recent history, prompted farmers to migrate from the southernmost growing regions most exposed to polar air blasts in winter, into the warmer states of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Espirito Santo. Subsequently, frost has had less of an impact on the coffee belt since. For more than a decade, coffee has only traded mildly on weather threats. But this year's heat wave has changed that. Because a majority of Brazil's coffee farms are heavily reliant on rainfall, the first signs of a serious drought put markets on edge. Coffee futures prices in New York started January at just under $1.12/lb and now are pushing $1.41/lb. "Although irrigation is common in areas like the Cerrado or Espirito Santo or western Bahia where it is more arid, nobody has invested in it in South Minas because it has always rained in January here. TALLYING THE LOSSES Accurately estimating the losses to the entire crop in Brazil, the world's main supplier of natural - or sun-patio cured - arabicas, is a monumental task fraught with complexity. Overseeing a crew installing an irrigation line to a slope of three-year-old trees that are particularly at risk to dry weather due to their less developed roots and foliage, Diogo surveyed the young trees deceptively full of coffee fruit. He reached down and stripped a bow full of unripe coffee fruit and cut cross sections through several of the fruit with his pocket knife showing voids inside where pale green beans would normally be forming if there had been rain. After testing coffee fruit on several trees of varying ages, Diogo estimated that he would harvest less than 40 bags a hectare this year, if he's lucky, and not anywhere close to the 65 bags a hectare he brought in last season. "The flowering of this crop was nearly perfect. Our hopes were high," Diogo said as he pinched coffee cherries to test if they had succumbed to the drought. Coffee trees are commercially productive for a little more than 25 years but must then be ripped out and replanted. The youngest trees, or about 25 percent of Brazil's crop, are most at risk to hot, dry weather. As much as 50 percent of the beans on trees up to two years old in Espirito Santo do Pinhal are likely lost without hope of recovery, even if rains came today, according to Scanavachi, the agronomist. Older trees of more than 10 years showed only minor losses of less than 10 percent to the drought. Most trees, young and old, showed very little growth in their branches and foliage, which will hold and shade the fruit in the coming crop. "Trees have lost productive potential for the next year, too," Scanavachi said. Source - http://www.trust.org/

13.02.2014

USA - Growth of biotech crops

The growth of biotech crops in the United States appears to have hit a plateau, but farmers are accelerating plantings of genetically modified corn and rice in Asia, notably China, although it still remains a much smaller market. Farmers around the world grew a record 175.2 million hectares (433 million acres) of biotech crops in 2013, up 3 percent from 2012, with American and Brazilian farmers continuing to be the dominant users.The growth of biotech crops in the United States appears to have hit a plateau, but farmers are accelerating plantings of genetically modified corn and rice in Asia, notably China, although it still remains a much smaller market, according to an industry report issued Thursday. Farmers around the world grew a record 175.2 million hectares (433 million acres) of biotech crops in 2013, up 3 percent from 2012, with American and Brazilian farmers continuing to be the dominant users, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), a pro-biotech industry organization. Critics of GMO crops accuse the ISAAA of inflating figures in the European Union and developing countries to show growing support for biotech crops. Particularly in the European Union, opponents of biotech crops say they lead to increased pesticide use and environmental damage and have not been proven safe for human and animal consumption. Backers say the crops are no different to normal crops. "Biotech crops are demonstrating their global value as a tool for resource-poor farmers who face decreased water supplies and increased weed and pest pressures - and the effects of climate change will only continue to expand the need for this technology," said ISAAA Chairman Clive James in a statement. Farmers in the United States planted an estimated 70.1 million hectares, or 173 million acres, last year with corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa and other crops that have all been genetically altered, the report said. That was up less than 1 percent over 2012 plantings. In Brazil, farmers planted 40.3 million hectares, or 99.5 million acres to biotech soy, corn and cotton, up 10 percent over 2012, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA), a pro-biotech industry organization that annually releases a survey of biotech crop plantings around the world. GMO GROWTH IN CHINA, EU While growth was hitting a plateau in the United States, where biotech crops were first introduced in 1996, plantings in China grew 5 percent in 2013 to 4.2 million hectares (10 million acres), the report said. Overall, ISAAA said the global value of biotech crops was estimated at $15.6 billion in 2013, up from $14.6 billion in 2012. Monsanto Co, DuPont, Syngenta and other global chemical and seed companies have over the last 18 years rolled out a variety of genetic traits for agricultural seeds. The most popular genetically modified (GM) traits alter crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton so that they can be sprayed with weed killer and still thrive, or resist damaging pests. The European Union continued to be a difficult market for biotech crop. Five European Union countries planted a record 148,013 hectares, or 365,000 acres, of biotech corn last year, up 15 percent from 2012, the ISAAA report said. Farmers in Spain were the largest users of the biotech seed referred to as "Bt," planting 94 percent of the total biotech corn in the EU. Not all countries where farmers have been trying biotech crops were expanding their use. Biotech crop plantings dropped 7 percent in Canada in 2013 compared to 2012; and plantings held steady or dropped in South Africa, Australia and Mexico. CRITICS SAY NUMBERS DOUBTFUL Some critics of biotech crops say the numbers are dubious and the report is more promotional than factual. "The numbers are incredibly doubtful... totally doctored," said Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland Institute, a California-based think tank and policy group that focuses on global agriculture. "It is an industry publication and they use fake numbers to show a groundswell of use of GMO crops," she said. "But the evidence is coming in around the world that shows the crops are failing and farmers are turning away." Last year the Africa Centre for Biosafety accused ISAAA of inflating plantings in South Africa and said that ISAAA's numbers were at odds with a trend there away from GMO plantings. Also in 2009, critics accused ISAAA of inflating numbers for crop plantings in the European Union. ISAAA spokesman John Dutcher said the group would not comment on the complaints. Source- http://www.reuters.com/USA - Growth of biotech crops