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US Faces Worst Drought in 56 Years

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Corn stalks struggling from lack of rain and a heat in Farmingdale, Illinois

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07/24/2012

Correction attached
This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
The United States is suffering its worst drought in almost sixty years. Moderate to extreme
dry conditions spread to fifty-five percent of the continental United States in June. That was
the most since December of nineteen fifty-six.
The National Climatic Data Center also says high temperatures in June added to the warmest
twelve-month period on record. Recordkeeping began in eighteen ninety-five.
The drought map showed that conditions improved in the Southeast in June compared to
May. But they intensified from the Midwest to the Great Plains and much of the West.
Predictions through the end of October suggest that the drought is likely to improve in areas
of the Southwest and Southeast. But the drought is expected to continue or intensify in
large parts of the country.
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with President Obama. Mr. Vilsack says
the drought has severely affected corn and soybean crops. The United States is the world's
leading producer of maize and soybeans.
TOM VILASK: "Thirty-eight percent of our corn crop as of today is rated as poor to very
poor, thirty percent of our soybeans, poor to very poor."
Most of the affected states are in the southern half of the country. But officials said
farmlands in the north are now drying up as well.
The drought has pushed up prices for corn and soybeans. Both are used in food production
and for animal feed. Last week the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
reported a twenty percent jump in maize and wheat prices over the past three weeks.
Wheat prices are up as hot, dry weather affects production in the Black Sea region.
In the United States, ranchers may quickly reduce the size of their herds of animals rather
than pay higher feed prices to keep raising them. That increased supply of meat would
reduce meat prices in the short-term. But those prices could increase several months from
now.

Mr. Vilsack said the overall effect of the drought is hard to predict. Some areas are getting
rain, and drought-resistant seeds have helped crops grow well in some areas.
President Obama has cut the interest rate on disaster loans for farmers and made it easier
for affected areas to receive government financial assistance. At the same time, farmers are
waiting to see what Congress does with the farm bill, a major piece of legislation renewed
every five years.
The Senate has passed a version that would end direct payments to farmers but help pay
for crop insurance. The plan would save money. But the House of Representative has
passed different legislation, and Congress needs to reach a compromise. The current farm
bill ends at the end of September.
And that's the VOA Special English Agriculture Report. I'm Jim Tedder.
___
Contributing: Kane Farabaugh
Correction: The House of Representatives has not yet passed its version of the farm bill.
This story incorrectly said it has.

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by: Yoshi from: Sapporo

07/26/2012 12:59 AM

Report
I hope this extreme drought in America is not easily linked to climate change which has
been argued around the world for a log time because heavy rain has attacked China
recenty on the other hand.
I have heard high tech of making clouds and letting rain falls has been developed. But it
seems not yet avairable in practical use. Nobody can get win against weather as of today!?

Please enter the code shown on the image

In Response

by: Yoshi from: Sapporo

07/27/2012 10:50 PM

Report
Sorry,I made a mistake.
I hope this extreme drought in America SHOULD NOT BE easily linked to climate change
which has

Please enter the code shown on the image

by: BIJU.P.Y. from: SOUTH INDIA

07/24/2012 4:57 PM

Report
Like your country, our mother India has also been passing through a period of long drought.
The once farmers' friendly predictions about the weather has now turned to be out of hand.
Every country, esp. the super power America should reflect on why the climate has gone so
unpredictable. Man's greed for luxuary has dried many things including the milk of human
kindness. Oh Lord! where is dawn?; the God's own country? How long we have to wait for
the torrents of prosperity. Thank you.
Please enter the code shown on the image

by: Anonymous
07/24/2012 8:42 AM

Report
t's happening an ironic year as said a predictor about the 2012. Almost all economies
mostly in Europe have been suffering severe and serious financial crisis since the great
depression in 1929. In addition to that we witness clashes, fights, turmoils, eaetquakes,
floods,terrorist attacks and uprising in many countries especially in middle east. I think
Mankind prepares for its end by deteriorating the balance of nature and using dangerous
materials like chemicals, fatal weapons, shells etc. If we don't take necessary precautions to
prevent such terrible incidents, it is not likely to live for the next generations happily and
peaceful in this world.
Mr. Yilmaz from Istanbul
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In Response

by: Anonymous
07/26/2012 12:27 AM

Report
Now a day, the drought uccur much area of the world, not peculiar in United States
America. That possible is sig of climeted change which be interested in with everyone.

TITILE
VOCABULARY
English-Thai: HOPE Dictionary [with local updates]
face

() {faced,facing,faces} n.
,,, ,,,,,
, ,,, vt.
,, , () -Phr. (in one's face
) vi.

worst

() adj.,adv.,n. ( ) ,, ,,,
,, -Phr. (get the worst of something
), Syn. vanquish,defeat,beat

drought

( , ) n. ,,

Translation

US Faces Worst Drought in 56 Years.

SECTION 1
VOCABULARY
English-Thai: HOPE Dictionary [with local updates]
suffering

(' ) n. ,, ,,, adj.

, ., Syn. agony

almost

(' ) adv. , , , (nearly, approximately)

moderate

(' ) adj. ,,,,, n.

v. , , , .,
See also: moderately adv. moderateness n., Syn. sparing

extreme

( ') adj.,n. ()
, , ,,,, ,, ,,
See also: extremeness n., Syn. final

condition

(') n. ,,,. vt. ,,,

vi.

spread

() {sprea,spread,spreading,spreads} vt.,vi.,n. ()
, ,,,,,,,,,,,
,, ,,, ., See also: spreadable adj. S...

continental

(') adj. n.

Translation
The United States is suffering its worst
drought in almost sixty years.
Moderate to extreme dry conditions spread
to fifty-five percent of the continental United
States in June.
That was the most since December of
nineteen fifty-six.

SECTION 2
VOCABULARY
Translation

The National Climatic Data Center also says

high temperatures in June added to the
warmest twelve-month period on record.
Recordkeeping began in eighteen ninetyfive.

SECTION 3
VOCABULARY

Translation
The drought map showed that conditions
improved in the Southeast in June
compared to May.
But they intensified from the Midwest to the
Great Plains and much of the West.
Predictions through the end of October
suggest that the drought is likely to improve
in areas of the Southwest and Southeast.
But the drought is expected to continue or
intensify in large parts of the country.

SECTION 4
VOCABULARY
Translation
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack met with President Obama.
Mr. Vilsack says the drought has severely
affected corn and soybean crops.
The United States is the world's leading
producer of maize and soybeans.

SECTION 5
VOCABULARY
Translation

TOM VILASK: "Thirty-eight percent of our corn crop as of today is rated as poor to very
poor, thirty percent of our soybeans, poor to very poor."

SECTION 6
VOCABULARY

Translation
Most of the affected states are in the
southern half of the country.
But officials said farmlands in the north are
now drying up as well.

SECTION 7
VOCABULARY

Translation

The drought has pushed up prices for corn and soybeans. Both are used in food production
and for animal feed. Last week the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
reported a twenty percent jump in maize and wheat prices over the past three weeks.

SECTION 8
VOCABULARY
Translation
Wheat prices are up as hot, dry weather
affects production in the Black Sea region.

SECTION 9
VOCABULARY
Translation
In the United States, ranchers may quickly reduce the size of their herds of animals rather
than pay higher feed prices to keep raising them. That increased supply of meat would
reduce meat prices in the short-term. But those prices could increase several months from
now.

SECTION 10
VOCABULARY
Translation

Mr. Vilsack said the overall effect of the drought is hard to predict. Some areas are getting
rain, and drought-resistant seeds have helped crops grow well in some areas.

SECTION 11
VOCABULARY

Translation
President Obama has cut the interest rate on disaster loans for farmers and made it easier
for affected areas to receive government financial assistance. At the same time, farmers are
waiting to see what Congress does with the farm bill, a major piece of legislation renewed
every five years.

SECTION 12

VOCABULARY
Translation
The Senate has passed a version that would end direct payments to farmers but help pay
for crop insurance. The plan would save money. But the House of Representative has
passed different legislation, and Congress needs to reach a compromise. The current farm
bill ends at the end of September.

SECTION 13
VOCABULARY
Translation
And that's the VOA Special English
Agriculture Report.
I'm Jim Tedder.