NC Ag Commissioner

Just over a month ago at the Blackland Farm Managers Field Day in Hyde County, NC Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler offered a hundred dollar bill out of his own pocket to the first certified 400 bushel acre of corn. NC State Extension corn Specialist Dr. Ron Heiniger’s thoughts on the prospect of the Commissioner having to pay up:

“I have a feeling we won’t quite catch that number. I do know a few that will take a swipe at it at over 300 bushels, but I haven’t heard of any over that 400 mark.”
 

Economic Recover Still Slow
 

New economic reports show the recovery is still very slow going. Bob Fuss reports.

“Both manufacturing and construction are slowing down, a sign the economy is still struggling to keep the recovery going. Construction spending dropped in July by almost a full percent, the largest drop in a year. Factory activity went down for the third straight month in August. Factories made less product, got fewer orders, and slowed down their hiring.”

Lack of Water Due to Drought Means No More Beef?
 

As the worst drought in 50 years lingers on – the United Nations says we may have to eliminate meat from our diets because of a lack of fresh water. 

International Water Institute Director Jens Berggren says that's because it takes less water to produce fruits and veggies than it does to produce beef…

“When your neighbor is out grilling his one kilo steak on the grill, he is also grilling some 80 bathtubs full of water.”

To which Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Public Relations Director Carmen Fenton says bologna…

“We are continually working to decrease beef’s impact on the environment. Its something that today’s rancher has always tried to do.”

Fenton thinks that meat-eaters don't need to worry.

UN Food Program Calls for Help for Farmers
 

Three UN food agencies warn of a global food crisis because of rising prices sparked in part by the drought here in the US. Prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are going up. Bettina Luescher(LOOSH-uh) is with the UN World Food Program in New York:

“We live in a very rich country and we spend between 10-15% of our income on food. If you were a poor person in Africa, you spend 60-80% of your income on food.”

The groups are calling on government to do more to help farmers and for rich nations to help out poor ones.