Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[murphysranch]

FJ: how do you think the pending dock strike will affect the beef market. Not only will imports be halted, but beef, chicken and egg EXPORTS will stop.

Do you think it will apply downward pressure on protein prices or will product be discarded due to rules/regulations/inspection qualification difference for US consumption vs foreign consumption.

 

[Baymule]

Good questions.

 

[Mini Horses]

Personally -- I think it won't affect prices until it goes beyond a week. Then perishables will be withheld from prep to even ship out from USA. Prices will increase. Incoming prices are set now but, no product at stores will be the issue for some items. A lot of cargo will sit on ships, ports won't unload them.

Supposed to start tomorrow. No one wants it to happen! All sides will work to resolve it. I'm thinking within a week they'll hug & make up. . Another month and it will be forgotten.

 

[Baymule]

I went and stocked up on sugar and coffee. I don’t use much sugar, but I do go through coffee. If the strike doesn’t happen, I’m good. I didn’t run out and panic buy a bunch of stuff.

 

[farmerjan]

Since this is only going to affect the eastern/gulf ports...initially.... I don't think it will be such a big deal or long term strike. However, west coast port workers might refuse to handle diverted goods ... so who knows. They say if it lasts more than a week, it could start to cause some problems... 2 weeks and there will be some shortages. The good thing is the only main "perishable " that comes in through these ports is bananas... Also, for Baltimore, they only have started to get back to normal after the huge container ship hit that bridge and destroyed part of it and held up so much traffic in and out of there...
It will affect electronics and other non-perishable goods more... clothes, cars, furniture...

I think it will actually cause a reduction in price of beef/ meats at the stores if it lasts very long... they will not have the room to store beef, that would get shipped out on those ships, for an extended period of time, so there might be a reduction of prices short term in stores... Maybe I am wrong...

As much a problem is the produce that is normally produced in Ga, Al, NC, SC, TN.... these fields produce ALOT of produce and it is about the time for harvesting of things like Peppers...Tomatoes....Green beans..... and Sweet Potatoes... I did not realize that the carolinas produce 60% of the sweet potatoes that are consumed IN THE WHOLE USA.....And these do not get shipped by container ship... and these crops will be damaged and ruined from the flood waters... There will be no replanting of some of them this year...

Talking about insurance costs also...

Think about all the people in these areas.... most have NO FLOOD insurance... they never would think about flood insurance in some places where water has gotten as much as 20+ feet ABOVE FLOOD STAGE.... places that no one ever ever ever would think of flooding..... total devastation and losses....How do you start over when you will not get anything from the ins companies.....
Something to think about for any/everyone... and flood ins is very expensive from what I have heard.

On that note... I got my insurance on the vehicles done... it had gone from 850 to 1250...on 2 vehicles.... I was on a 3 year "rate lock" so it could not go up for 3 years if I did not add/remove a vehicle, add/remove a driver... or change address.... I can change the coverage without triggering a change in the rate lock.... So at this renewal, the 3 year lock was up so it went up $400 on the 2 vehicles... and so I added the other 3 I wanted to cover... liability only... just so I am legally covered to drive them... and it cost me 2 K.... but it cannot go up for 3 years .... unless I take one off like the explorer.... she said if I take it off in the next 3-6 months... should not cause a big deal with the rates changing...
BUT with the devastation of vehicles in the path of destruction by "Helene".... that might change....

Testing went good... light rain and showers... then more rain up at farm and about 2/3 way home then very light misty stuff here.
There was 1.1 inches in the rain gauge this morning though... That's nearly 7 inches in a week... about 2 months worth of rain.... BUT....it's been slower than many places and much less than they got south of here... we have been very fortunate that we did not get the run off or pounding rain that they got down there... my heart goes out to all those people.
And we are forecast to get more tomorrow and now saying Wed too before it quits...

Got chiropractor appt in morning and DS has Dr appt not too far from there, so able to get 2 for 1 trip. Need a shower.... and bed.

 

[murphysranch]

Thank you for your thoughts, FJ.

I didn't even think of crop devastation. I've been more focused on the human tragedy. Deep sigh.