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Food security and the coming storm

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Re: Food security and the coming storm

#51

Post by radford-neal »

No mention of the amount of food diverted to biofuels, such as corn being converted to ethanol. Stopping doing that would be the easiest way to increase food production.

Maybe this omission has something to do with their ritual invocation (on no evidence) of climate change as a cause of the food shortfall. Not mentioning biofuels may be a matter of solidarity with other climate alarmists. Even though biofuels are a total scam, that damage the environment rather than help, pointing that out might lead people to ask whether other aspects of the climate agenda are also dubious.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#52

Post by Der_Einzige »

usrn wrote: post #30
davio wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” — John F. Kennedy.

He might be our most underrated president.

No post body was provided.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#53

Post by starkd »

jillesvangurp wrote: post #15
sdoering wrote: post #4

I recently had a conversation with an organic farmer. While he is able to pass on at least some of his increased costs for energy and fuel through direct sales and cooperatively organized distribution channels, his conventionally farmed colleagues have a bigger problem. They have long-term purchase contracts that fix the prices for milk, meat or vegetables. In the case of milk and meat in particular, production costs…

I'm less pessimistic. People in the US, and increasingly the rest of the world are on a diet that just isn't good for them: lots of low quality carbs with cheap fat and artificial flavorings and not a whole lot of nutritional value. Arguably, a large part of the population is eating way more than is good for them and not enough good quality food. And it's not just a money issue: it's a skill and knowledge issue. Peop…

Not disputing any of this, but this has nothing to do with food security itself. All those cheap recipes still require grains and basic food stuffs whose supply are threatened. Whether you buy it locally or abroad, the supply is fungible enough to effect costs.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#54

Post by lotusmars »

throwaway5752 wrote: post #47
aftbit wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow I didn't realize the ruble has been strengthening despite the sanctions, but it is true.[1] 1: https://www.google.com/finance/quote/RUB-USD?window=6M

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2022/04/05/1090920442/how...

Important to note that this article is alread almost two months old.

Since then there was even more recovery. Interest rates while spiked briefly to 20% now lowered.

There was a brief capital control but now it's not neccessary: ordinary Russians can withdraw their dollars and even send them abroad (up to $50000 per month).

You don't need any kind of special financial magic when you've got billions from gas.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#55

Post by [deleted] »

sdoering wrote: post #4

I recently had a conversation with an organic farmer. While he is able to pass on at least some of his increased costs for energy and fuel through direct sales and cooperatively organized distribution channels, his conventionally farmed colleagues have a bigger problem. They have long-term purchase contracts that fix the prices for milk, meat or vegetables. In the case of milk and meat in particular, production costs…

[deleted]

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#56

Post by midhhhthrow »

pharmakom wrote: post #20
jillesvangurp wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm less pessimistic. People in the US, and increasingly the rest of the world are on a diet that just isn't good for them: lots of low quality carbs with cheap fat and artificial flavorings and not a whole lot of nutritional value. Arguably, a large part of the population is eating way more than is good for them and not enough good quality food. And it's not just a money issue: it's a skill and knowledge issue. Peop…

Time for me is by far the limiting factor. Short of a personal chef (too expensive) all the quick options are unhealthy. Edit: Loads of people suggesting cooking - I know how to cook, I just don’t have the time or energy. It’s not just preparation time but also the planning aspect. Meal prep delivery services suggestions are interesting. I have tried a few and found them expensive and low quality. Open to trying more…

So eat a diet of mostly fruit (comes premAde from nature) and boiled potatoes. It’ll e x10 more healthy than the alternative nd save time

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#57

Post by elevation »

eatonphil wrote: post #40
usrn wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He might be our most underrated president.

I don't think he was, at least based on what he actually did in life. He only barely beat Nixon in 1960, caused Cuban crisis through his own making by bad defense policy in the middle east, gridlocked congress. His people turned him into a legend after he was killed. LBJ did the real work in implementing the ideas JFK wanted (but couldn't implement). Yes JFK's death may have made some of this more possible but how mu…

> based on what he actually did in life.

Don't forget about Mimi Alford.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#58

Post by starkd »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #41
Throwawayaerlei wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Baby formula isn't some magical combination of ingredients. Some of it is for those with metabolic problems. Abbott makes one type which very recently the government has taken action about, but each recipient has be vetted to get it, I believe it's from non-FDA regulated production in Europe.

I mean, that's fine, but how many babies need that kind of formula? And parents with babies that do need that kind of formula are probably well aware of that. If you Google "how to make homemade baby formula", basically every article is how experts strongly recommend against it. And there are articles like "Why following TikTok influencers' baby formula recipes is a terrible idea." No shit following TikTok baby formu…

A baby dying of starvation is probably much worse than the risk of giving it wrong formula. And have you ever heard a hungry baby crying? It's not something you can wait long for.

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#59

Post by XorNot »

aftbit wrote: post #21
lotusmars wrote: post #10

Putin already hinted that in exchange of lifting sanctions he will ship grain from occupied Ukraine. I'm pretty sure that Western politicans will scream "no way" initially but will quietly give in later. Just they way they gave in to Putin's demands to pay for gas in rubles. Whole rush on occopying south Ukraine (and levelling cities like Mariupol) was for Putin to have grains shortage as yet another leverage on Euro…

Wow I didn't realize the ruble has been strengthening despite the sanctions, but it is true.[1] 1: https://www.google.com/finance/quote/RUB-USD?window=6M

The Russian government has extremely limited avenues to trade Rubles publicly, and exercises dictatorial control over those within its borders who attempt to do so.

The rate is essentially fictional - you theoretical seller, cannot get that rate. [1]

[1] https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russias-rouble-rebo...

Re: Food security and the coming storm

#60

Post by FpUser »

lotusmars wrote: post #27
aftbit wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow I didn't realize the ruble has been strengthening despite the sanctions, but it is true.[1] 1: https://www.google.com/finance/quote/RUB-USD?window=6M

I was shocked to learn that most Westerners (especially Americans) believe that sanctions actually worked. Most believe that SWIFT was cut for Russian banks (most are working fine). That you can't buy USD in Russia (it's absolutely available both in banks and on the street, actually there's overabundance of hard currency due to gas and oil prices). Yes, McDonald's took down its logo. But it's already opening under ne…

McDonald's and iPhones and other branded crap are not strategic. Who really gives a fuck about their existence. Russians could always get cheaper Android phone from China and do just fine. They would not loose their sleep over McBurger being replaced with something else either.

Ability to produce advanced microchips, high end machinery etc on the other hand is. When the existing stock (all bought from the West) is depleted / wears down Russia might start to really feel the sanctions. This has a chance of permanently damaging Russia.

If however over the time Russia can manage to restart the ability to manufacture those things (possibly by banding with non Western world initially) then yes - it could then show middle finger to the West and get on with its business.

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