Cattle farmers faced with the rising cost of feed corn are looking for alternative products to feed their animals.
Prices of feed corn has more than doubled, from $3.65 per bushel in August 2010 to $7.35 per bushel in September 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Severe droughts in the Central U.S. States forced many cattle ranchers to sell their livestock due to the inability to feed them. The rising cost of feed has left those who still own cattle searching for the least expensive feed available.
| State | Departure from Normal | Dryness Rank | Dryness Record Year | State | Departure from Normal | Dryness Rank | Dryness Record Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | -5.16 in. | 11th | 1988 | Michigan | -0.24 in. | 48th | 1934 | |
| Illinois | -8.79 in. | 4th | 1936 | Nebraska | -7.15 in. | 2nd | 1934 | |
| Indiana | -7.72 in. | 6th | 1895 | Kansas | -4.98 in. | 10th | 1936 |
This table reports the rainfall totals departures from average covering the months of January to August 2012 for the six largest U.S. corn producing states. The information was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Now, the cattle owners are turning to some sweet treats as cheaper, alternative feed. Powdered hot chocolate mix, gummy worms, marshmallows and ice-cream sprinkles are a few of the sugary substitutes farmers are mixing in with the cow's regular feed, according to CNN.
The farmers purchase out-of-code product at a reduced price. CNN reported that ice-cream sprinkles can be purchased for as little as $160 a ton. Currently, a ton of corn costs about $294.
"They are purchasing product that can't be sold but is still edible," said American Sprinkle Company Vice President of Sales Ken Brockman. "We can't even make the sprinkles for that price, the sugar and starch used to make it cost more than $160 a ton."
Farmers are mixing powdered hot chocolate mix and marshmallows into their cattle feed due to a shortage of corn. Photograph is courtesy of Photos.com.
The sugar contained in the candy is not harmful to the cattle. Human consumable product from the animals will not be harmful to people due to sugars consumed by the cows.
"This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.
Downpours and locally severe thunderstorms over the Central states will not only foil holiday weekend activities, but will also put some lives at risk.
A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.
Another plunge of chilly air will set the stage for the risk of a frost and freeze centered Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and other nearby states this weekend.
During Sunday's race, the skies will be variably cloud with the risk of a few showers.
This holiday weekend, a rare astronomical phenomenon will occur that will not be seen again until October 2015.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Philadelphia, PA (1991)
96 degrees -- a record sixth 90-degree reading
for the month. (The month ended with twelve
90-degree days.)
New York City (1861)
Snow was reported.
Philadelphia, PA (1991)
96 degrees -- a record sixth 90-degree reading
for the month. (The month ended with twelve
90-degree days.)
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