| Start Date: | 9/14/2012 | Start Time: | 12:00 AM | | End Date: | 9/14/2012 | End Time: | 11:59 PM |
Prolonged drought equals higher food prices
STATEHOUSE— Recently, Howard County was named one of the 50 counties in Indiana by the United States Department of Agriculture as a primary natural disaster area. Representative Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo), represents a portion of Howard County, which now qualifies as a primary natural disaster area.
“The record breaking temperatures combined with the prolonged period without significant rainfall has turned into the worst drought in recent memory,” said Rep. Karickhoff.
Howard County qualifies as a natural disaster area because of the eight or more consecutive weeks of extreme drought experienced by the community according to the USDA.
The oppressive heat and severe drought the community has recently experienced has made life difficult on all Hoosiers and the citizens and farmers of Howard County. The loss of crop is projected to be in the billion dollar range for Indiana farmers. Even worse, corn production is expected to be down as much as one fourth of last year’s yields.
Because of the loss of corn, food prices are expected to jump. In the past month, the price of corn has jumped to $7.79 a bushel. That’s a 40 percent jump in a month’s time.
The price of meat could increase as well as corn is the main feed for livestock. Prices of meat are expected to increase as much as 10 percent if the current weather conditions persist. Before the drought, only a 4-6 percent increase was expected.
A price jump at the supermarket will not be immediately noticed by the consumer. More than likely, consumers will not see a rise in prices until the farmers begin harvesting their fields later this year.
If an increase occurs, it will not be immediate. Instead, it would be more of a steady and gradual increase for several months to come.
“The current weather conditions affect everyone,” said Rep. Karickhoff. “Farmers are losing crops and livestock and everyone is likely to see an increase in food prices.”
Those farmers of Howard County affected by the severe weather conditions can visit the USDA’s website at www.usda.gov/disaster for more information.
-30- Rep. Karickhoff- Howard County Drought.docx | 
