I am sure most of you have seen what is happening in NE. with all the flooding, but are you watching what has happened in the Eastern Dakotas with all the snow? Do you know there are over 16 states that have been affected by the winter weather and the flooding? WA state lost over 18000 dairy cows to a blizzard. There have been a lot of cattle lost in these states in addition to all that has been lost in CO. and WY.. CO. alone has lost over a million calves this winter. And in the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota, more than 20 inches of snow remains on the ground which still has to melt. This is absolutely devastating and the sad part is it isn’t even over yet.
Add this to all the cattle that had to be sold this past summer and fall because of the drought. It takes several years to rebuild a herd and that is if a person is willing to start over ( I know it is going to take us a while to rebuild and not sure we will get back to the old numbers). Couple this with all the farmland that is under water right now that will probably delay planting and that is if they are able to plant at all this season. In addition to all the small farms and ranches that are quitting because they can’t afford to farm or ranch anymore.
Farmers have lost massive amounts of corn, wheat, and soybeans to the flooding. Thousands of acres of farmland are still underwater and they won’t be able to plant them in time this year. In addition to seed grains for animal feed.
I found this on FB
Nebraska is the #1 state in the US for state percentage of agland (91% of NE land is farm/ranch). Nebraska is the #2 state for beef production (just behind Texas) and ethanol. It’s #3 in corn, and 50% of our wheat crops are exported. And it’s #4 in the US for contributed Ag exports to the world market.
Nebraska Ag made the US 7.2 Billion dollars in sales of goods on the global market, 25 Billion dollars to the Nebraskan economy, and 104 Billion dollars to the United States GDP last year.
This is just NE. That doesn’t even account for all the food production from all the other affected states. All these affected states produce a massive amount of our food and grains to feed us and our animals with.
And if it isn’t bad enough the National Weather Service is now telling us that it is just the beginning. With the massive amount of snow, we have had this winter once it starts to melt off the flooding is going to get way worse. They are also saying we are going to also have above normal perception for the next three months. Added to the rain we are already getting.
With all these cattle gone, the farmland gone or unplantable, and if you add in all the regulations that N.M. & Co are trying to put on the oil and gas industry I feel like we are headed for some very hard times The food production is going to be way down this year ( and likely for a few years to come). Prices at the store are going to start to rising and more than likely will keep rising for some time. And in addition to food, I think fuel prices are going to start going up ( I hope I am wrong). Please get stocked up as much as you can while you can at lower prices. (and if by some chance it doesn’t happen you just don’t have to go to the store for a while).
Please if you can even if it is a bare minimum start stocking up on food get that deep pantry filled while you can still halfway afford to. I have a very bad feeling that things are going to get real ugly soon. So for the sake of your family put back a little and as I said above it turns out to be nothing the worst thing that will happen is you won’t have to go to the store for a while.
If money is tight here are some ways to save money 201 ways to save money so you will have a little extra for some extra food and this is how to fill a pantry on a tight budget Deep Pantry on a tight budget. Also here is a list of basics to have on hand if you have these you can cook just about anything Basics of a well-stocked Pantry.
What is happening right now is heartbreaking please keep all the people affected by all this in your prayers.
I am going to edit this to add a comment that was made when I first posted this.I really want you all to see just how dire things are going to get. Thanks NRP for commenting this
Rancher’s Wife;
Very well written and important Article.
For those that read this, please make preparations for your family and loved ones, this is so easy and worthwhile insurance.
I could think of nothing more horrible than to watch your family go hungry, especially your children.
I realize there are a lot of you that might say “well FEMA will be there for us”, really? How is that working out for places like Nebraska and Porta Rico? Can one really think that the millions that are being affected in Neb are being supported by FEMA; The .gov agency that tells us to have 3 days of food stored?
I truly believe there are hard times ahead as Rancher’s Wife does, but I see wayyyyyy worse coming than most do. I think several things are heading this way, an Economic Crash, Food shortages, more and MORE .gov intervention, and yes even the possibility of the Grid failing somewhat. AND no I’m not a doom and gloomer, but a Realist that has parents that lived the Great Depression, and was raised to keep my eyes open to the ‘flavor’ of the country.
As Connie has suggested, get some “stuff” stored up, do an imaginary senior of no Grocery Stores for 2 months, what will it take to feed your family? How much water will that take, how about heat in the winter and ways to cook that food.
There is a world of information out there and HERE on this BLOG. AND guess what, if TSHTF does not happen, you have it for later…….
One last thing, I have a friend that’s in the “Food Business” that’s saying 20-30% increase in some foods in the next 6-10 months. I sure as heck hope he is wrong, but my bet is he is correct.
Remember Venezuela? How are things working out for them right now?
NRP,
Thanks, I went ahead and added your comment to the post sice it does have some good info. Hope you don”t mind 🙂
OMG – It certainly is heartbreaking to hear of folks losing their livelihood and worse. In addition to doing our best to stock up, it is important to make new and strengthen existing ties in the community. We all need each other as well as stowed food and medical supplies. I would love to have some way of being able to help those families that have been so devastated. I hope they get the support they so desperately need. What can someone who is so far away do to help?
Best wishes always,
Toni (in Niagara)