Bacon-up while you can

[Jenise]

In a recent press release, the U.K.'s National Pig Association is warning that a "world shortage of pork and bacon next year is now unavoidable":

New data shows the European Union pig herd is declining at a significant rate, and this is a trend that is being mirrored around the world. Pig farmers have been plunged into loss by high pig-feed costs, caused by the global failure of maize and soya harvests. All main European pig-producing countries report shrinking sow herds.

Financial Times reports that this past season's droughts in North America and Russia are to blame for the spike in prices for grain crops, which are used to feed animals.

As of August, nearly half of all counties in the U.S. were considered disaster areas due to extreme dryness and heat.

Some U.S. farmers have taken to extreme measures to feed their livestock and save money at the same time, including one Kentucky farmer who fed his cattle candy "just to survive."

[Jeff Grossman/NYC]

Pfffffffffffffttttttttt. Hogwash.

[Mark Lipton]

Financial Times reports that this past season's droughts in North America and Russia are to blame for the spike in prices for grain crops, which are used to feed animals.

As of August, nearly half of all counties in the U.S. were considered disaster areas due to extreme dryness and heat.

Some U.S. farmers have taken to extreme measures to feed their livestock and save money at the same time, including one Kentucky farmer who fed his cattle candy "just to survive."[/i]

I can attest to this from here in Flyover country, Jenise. Many hog farms in my neck of the woods had to liquidate much of their stock this summer because of the searing hot temperatures coupled with the high costs of both water and feed. And I just heard a story on NPR yesterday about cattle ranchers feeding cattle candy and other cheap junk food ("They'll eat anything you feed them," according to one rancher, who also said "It fattens them up just like it does in people").

Mark Lipton

[Karen/NoCA]

Pfffffffffffffttttttttt. Hogwash.

Can you enlighten us as to why you think it is hogwash? If bacon left this world, it would not bother me at all, but I do use it, love pork chops and some by products. I'm just curious as to your statement.

[Mike Filigenzi]

Happened to see a story on the impending bacon shortage on the Today Show this morning. Man, first gasoline, now this.

[Mark Lipton]

Pfffffffffffffttttttttt. Hogwash.

Can you enlighten us as to why you think it is hogwash? If bacon left this world, it would not bother me at all, but I do use it, love pork chops and some by products. I'm just curious as to your statement.

I think you missed Jeff's humor, Karen.

Mark Lipton

[Jeff Grossman/NYC]

I also don't believe everything I read.

[Mike Filigenzi]

Stephen Colbert remarked on this tonight. His take:

"A bacon shortage??? WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE.... and later then we thought."

[Robert J.]

Maybe the 'bacon in everything' food trend can now die, finally.

rwj

[Jeff Grossman/NYC]

Not only food, Cowboy. I've seen video footage of a bacon flame-thrower, bacon clothing, etc. Nuts.

[David M. Bueker]

Competitive bacon rowing!

The team bacon row.jpg (85.08 KiB) Viewed 882 times

[Jim Cassidy]

So for years, I rail about global warming in F&F, likely to no effect whatsoever.

I'm thinking the bacon shortage will be a learning opportunity for a big chunk of the denier community...

[Mark Lipton]

So for years, I rail about global warming in F&F, likely to no effect whatsoever.

I'm thinking the bacon shortage will be a learning opportunity for a big chunk of the denier community...

Sorry, Jim. If the record shrinkage of Arctic pack ice and the long-term worldwide retreat of glaciers can't convince them, I don't think that a drought or bacon shortage will make much of an impact. Heck, I'm still trying to convince students that there might be some merit to Darwinian evolution.

Mark Lipton