Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 3, 2008 2:15:53 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

'Big Dry' Killing Aussie Farms

Posted May 2, 08 8:33 AM CDT in Business,  World 

(Newser) – The worst drought in a century has forced a tenth of Australian farmers off the land, reports the BBC. The "Big Dry" has led to parched farmland across the nation over the last seven years, accelerating the exodus from rural areas. The number of farming families in Australia has dropped by a third over the last 20 years.

High interest rates have added to woes for Australia's farmers, with many borrowing heavily to plant their crops, only to face bankruptcy when the water-starved land fails to yield a sufficient harvest. The drought is one of the major reasons why the world's wheat stocks are at their lowest level in decades, with harvests millions of tons below their usual levels.

Source BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Midwest Awaits Bumper Corn Crop

    Aug 13, 08 8:19 AM CDT
    Midwest Awaits Bumper Corn Crop America's farmers are on track to deliver the second-biggest corn harvest ever despite June floods, according to the Department of Agriculture. Shortages were predicted after severe flooding swamped fields, but the Midwest has had ideal corn-growing weather since, the New York Times reports. A healthy soybean crop is also expected.
    More »

  • Forget the Farmers Market: Buy the Farm

    Jul 10, 08 3:45 AM CDT
    Forget the Farmers Market: Buy the Farm Consumers wanting food straight from the source are buying up shares of farms in growing numbers, the New York Times reports. For a set annual fee, shareholders buy access to the land and a guaranteed share of the harvest income. The number of community-supported farms in America has mushroomed from 100 in the early '90s to almost 1,500 today. More »

  • Poor Crops Threaten to Worsen Food Crisis

    Jun 10, 08 7:14 AM CDT
    Poor Crops Threaten to Worsen Food Crisis Amid fears of looming food shortages around the world, this year’s crops aren’t providing much hope, the New York Times reports. While farmers in America have been hit with too much rain, Australian farmers are battling the effects of drought. US farmers planted 4 million more acres this year than last, but drenched fields are preventing good results. “The anxiety level is increasing,” says a grains analyst. More »

  • Farmers Fight to Legalize Pot's Cousin

    Jul 21, 07 5:39 PM CDT
    Farmers Fight to Legalize Pot's Cousin The push to legalize hemp—marijuana’s less potent cousin—has some unlikely supporters: North Dakota farmers who couldn't be more conservative in every other respect, the New York Times reports. Hemp, used in clothing, lotions and even snack bars, has become especially attractive to North Dakota because of a fungus that has decimated wheat crops. More »

The worst drought in a century is driving Australian farmers off their land.   (Getty Images)
The worst drought in a century has led to greatly reduced harvests in Australia and has forced many farmers off their land.   (Getty Images)
Am Australian cattle rancher inspects the dried-up spillway of a dam on his land.   (Getty Images)
Farmer Andrew Higham looks over his parched land on his Gunnedah property in northwestern New South Wales, Australia,.   (AP Photo/Peter Lorimer, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Australia • farming • farmer • food shortage • drought • wheat • farm


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »