How Bad Is It

One of the things that always catches my eye is talk of a drought. I know and understand the problems this situation causes. Australia is experiencing one this year and it is pretty bad. How bad is it?<br />n<br />n<blockquote>EMERGENCY supplies of grain will be imported to feed drought-stricken stock, as forecasts for Australia's winter crops and livestock are slashed by $6.2billion.<br />n<br />nThe downturn is so severe it could knock 0.7per cent off national economic growth. The Government's commodities forecaster yesterday issued its third downgrade of crop estimates in seven months.<br />n<br />nThe Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Rural Economics predicted the smallest wheat crop in more than a decade and massive falls in barley and canola crops. Grazing stock will suffer "severe consequences". </blockquote><br />n<br />n<a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20658254-2702,00.html">This article</a> from down under has the particulars but what strikes me is the .7% downturn in economic growth being forecasted. I bet it turns out to be even bigger than that. This just goes to show you how important agriculture can be to a country.<br />n<br />n<strong>Weep not that the world changes – did it keep a stable, changeless state, it were a cause indeed to weep. William C. Bryant</strong>