Heatwave hits U.S. farms, agriculture, livestock hit hard

　　China News Service, July 25 (Xinhua) According to Fox Business News TV in the United States, extreme heat and drought have put pressure on U.S. agriculture and animal husbandry, threatening crops such as corn and soybeans, as well as livestock such as cattle.

The meteorological community pointed out that the high temperature in the United States will continue this month, and the global food shortage may be difficult to alleviate.

On July 24, 2022, local time, in Mariposa County, California, the United States, the local wildfire continued to rage, thick smoke covered the sky, and the fire was burning into the sky.

　　The recent heat has been especially difficult for states that are experiencing drought, such as Oklahoma, the report said.

The drought has led to poor grass growth in the local pastures. Coupled with the hot weather, ranchers have increased their expenditures on feed, fertilizers, fuel and other expenses, so they can only sell their calves early.

　　Swanson, a local cattle breeder, said the current cost of feed per ton is about $100 higher than a year ago, so he sold 80 of his cattle to a beef processing plant in Texas.

　　If the heat persists, this year's corn production will take a hit, which could further drive up feed costs for livestock producers, the analysis said.

　　According to reports, it is currently the pollination period for crops such as corn grown in the US Midwest, which is the time when plants need the most water.

Severe drought and heat during corn pollination led to about 9 percent of daily yield losses, said Purdue University agronomist Quinn.

Nearly 30 percent of the U.S. corn and 26 percent of soybeans are located in dry regions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

　　In addition, high temperatures pose risks to the health of farm animals.

Thousands of cattle died from heat in Kansas in June.

In poultry farming, the heat in the southeast has forced farmers to constantly ventilate and cool their barns, fearing rolling blackouts or blackouts.

　　Food and agriculture officials have warned that global food supplies remain at risk, especially as severe weather also brings uncertainty to key crop-growing regions.