Extreme weather is presenting a unique and complicated problem to the nation’s farmers. With many decrying climate change as a scientific impossibility, famers have been left handling the issue of uncommonly severe weather without a place to put the blame. In fact, most farmers do not even mention climate change when discussing the issue, focusing their concerns more on the protection of their crops and mitigating any losses they experience. This has led to a rampant increase in demand for crop insurance throughout the nation. Crop insurance can help farmers…
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Agricultural groups support crop insurance, export promotion, and research
According to a North Dakota agricultural groups spokesperson, as the groups ready themselves for federal spending cutbacks, the next federal farm bill’s top priorities should be crop insurance, export promotion, and research. State director for U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Shane Goettle, explained that there will be fewer resources with which to work. He added that it is very important that they keep a steady communication regarding the farm bill’s priority as they will be responsible for deciding what will need to be cut and what must be maintained. Goettle…
Read MoreNM cattle ranchers battle new federal drought protection policy
Cattle ranchers in New Mexico are up in arms over a new federal insurance policy that they purchased under the belief that it would provide them with drought protection, but that isn’t helping them because satellites are reporting that there is still too much “greenness” in the state. The primary problem is that there isn’t any grass for the livestock to consume. In fact, this year the conditions are so devastating that cattle ranchers have been selling their animals in record numbers because they can’t afford to purchase their feed.…
Read MoreNo end in sight for severe drought in Texas
Drought continues to grip much of the Southern U.S. and there seems to be no end in sight. Texas was due for some mild relief from Tropical Storm Don as it made its way from the Gulf to bathe Southern Texas with rain. However, the storm vanished as it approached land, like an illusory oasis in the desert. What should have brought modest relief to a state that has struggled with drought since October of last year proved only to spur worry. Concerns regarding the drought are highest among ranchers…
Read MoreReinsurer takes on microinsurance project to provide drought insurance for Ethiopian farmers
Swiss Re, a global reinsure with a focus on risk transfer and asset management, is set to provide five years worth of reinsurance to a new microinsurance project in Ethiopia. The project was developed by the United Nations World Food Program, a branch of the U.N. that confronts worldwide hunger issues, and Oxfam America, an organization concerned with climate change adaptation, food security and aid reform. This project aims to provide Ethiopian farmers with drought insurance for their crops. Swiss Re will be funneling more than $1 million toward the…
Read MoreTexas drought costing billions in losses
While much of the South in inundated with water, Texas is suffering from one of the worst droughts in recent history. Last week, the level of drought rose a staggering 22%, putting the level at 48%. There have been more than 9,000 wildfires throughout the state, causing damage to some 400 homes and burning 2.2 million acres of land. Texas officials are seeking aid from the federal government to help mitigate the expected $3 billion in losses because of the severe drought. Farmers across the state are reporting damage to…
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