US agricultural land shrinkage
The number of farms in the US has declined by two-thirds over the past seven decades, from a historic high of 6,8 million in 1935. L ast year alone it fell by 0,6%, bringing the number of farms down to 2,08 million. The average farm size, however increased by 1,2ha to 191,7ha last year. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) report showed the total land use for farming fell by 607 000ha or 0,6% to 376,7 million hectares. “The decline in the number of farms and land on farms reflects a continuing consolidation in farming operations and the diversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses,” the USDA said. – Alan Harman
UK sheep farmers under pressure
UK ewe numbers are falling because farmers can’t afford to stay in business. This comes despite an increase in UK lamb consumption and retail prices. National Sheep Association chief executive Peter Morris said UK farmers received as little as 36% of the retail price, while processors are struggling to make money. He wondered where the rest of the money was going. Kewe numbers had fallen to as low as 14,5 million from 20 million in the late 1990s. – Alan Harman
Drought-stricken Aussies now hit by floods
The drought-breaking La Nina weather pattern has brought floods to central Queensland as well as central-west and northeast New South Wales, but Australia still needs a massive amount of rain to make up for 10 years of drought. In Queensland flooding caused crop, livestock and infrastructure losses of between A$70 million and 100 million. The bad news is that the La Nina phenomenon didn’t bring good rains to the Murray-Darling Basin and southern Victoria, as it has in the past. – Alan Harman
