Climate and Ag in the news
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A recent article in the Athens Banner Herald discussed long-term changes in stream flow across northeast Georgia. In the past 50 years, the average stream flow in the Oconee River and other rivers in Georgia has declined about 20 percent. At the same time, more extreme rainfalls are causing localized flooding, with longer dry spells…
Posted in: Climate and Ag in the news -
You may remember the Cosmos television series hosted many years ago by Carl Sagan on the wonders of the universe. Recently Fox Television has been broadcasting a remake of the series with updated science and graphics that is really excellent. This week’s episode is an overview of how carbon dioxide affects climate and atmospheric temperatures…
Posted in: Climate and Ag in the news -
Contra Costa Times recently published an interesting story about what farmers in California think about climate change. You can access the article here. The article points out what most farmers already know, that their activities and viability are closely tied to weather and climate, and that it’s not just local climate changes that are impacting…
Posted in: Climate and Ag in the news -
As the heat ramps up in summer, producers are keeping a careful watch on the impacts of that heat on their animals. I’ve seen a couple of stories recently which describe ways to combat heat in dairy cattle and swine. AgriLife Today reported on research done at Texas A&M on improvements in comfort for dairy…
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A couple of recent news stories describe some of the impacts of El Nino on other parts of the country and the world. The High Country News explains the relationship between wetter conditions in New Mexico and less spicy chile peppers as well as other impacts on Western agricultural areas in an article found here.…
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The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported that pork prices are being impacted by drought-induced feed increases as well as a fatal disease for piglets. In the story, they note that up to 75 percent of the cost of a hog operation. Soybeans and corn, favored feed for swine, are grown in largest quantities in the Midwest and…
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NOAA issued its official forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season this morning. The number of storms is predicted to be less than normal, due mainly to the expected onset of El Nino later this summer, which usually tends to suppress hurricane activity. However, even one storm can have significant consequences if it makes landfall in…