Contradictory Messages

In February, 2000 ZetaTalk stated that Contradictory Messages given out by the establishment would include talking about Bumper Crops to disguise crop shortages and cutting back on foreign support. By mid-year 2000, reports reflected this.

Foreign aid to Mongolia not forthcoming
Associated Press, June 27, 2000

The United Nations has received dlrs 371,000 for emergency relief aid for Mongolia - just 10 percent of its initial appeal for dlrs 3 million.

International Disaster Aid Being Cut
Associated Press, August 4, 2000

The United Nations reported last week that only 36 percent of the aid requested to alleviate disasters around the world had been delivered by member nations. WFP has cut rations to some refugee camps and other food programs because not enough food is available.

Summer had highest food prices since 1989
Agriculture.com, September 8, 2000

American shoppers saw a slight increase in prices at the supermarket during the third quarter of 2000, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation's latest Marketbasket Survey. The group found a 23-cent increase in prices for 16 selected items compared with their second quarter survey. Though prices always tend to be higher in the summer months, the total of $33.60 is the highest average recorded since the survey's inception in 1989. Last year's third quarter survey noted an 87-cent jump over second quarter prices. A dozen eggs experienced the largest increase, jumping 12 cents to 97 cents. A pound of sirloin increased 10 cents to $2.65. The price of a pound of pork chops fell 10 cents to $3.05.

Foreign Aid to Kenya Falls Short
Associated Press, September 18, 2000

Some parts of Kenya are suffering from the worst drought to hit the East African nation in 40 years. Semiannual rains have failed since late 1998, leaving 3.3 million people in need of emergency food and water. But international donors have been slow to respond to appeals for emergency funds. WFP, the U.N. food agency, has requested dlrs 132 million but so far has fallen dlrs 40 million short, agency officials said. The funds are needed to finance food deliveries until December. The United States has already supplied more than 70 percent of the food delivered so far, but the European Union has yet to pledge any food aid, Bertini said. As a result, food rations to the most vulnerable were cut 30 percent in August, WFP officials said.

Not Enough Aid in Southeast Asia
Associated Press, September 20, 2000

The Red Cross has appealed for dlrs 3.4 million in aid for Cambodia and Vietnam but has received less than dlrs 1 million. Som Ath, the director of disaster preparedness for the Cambodian Red Cross, said there is enough manpower to distribute aid but not enough aid.

Worldwide Wheat Stores Dropping
Offered by Steve Havas, November 20, 2000

Just a bit of interesting info I thought I'd pass along. I was recently speaking to a guy out of Saskatchewan who invests in wheat share pools (my job involves talking to investors all day) and I asked him how the wheat market was doing. He said he expects his shares to do well as worldwide wheat stores are at the lowest they've been in 40 years with most of the inventory being located in the US. As a result the US pretty much sets the price. He also said the newly planted winter crop is in danger of failing next year as the weather has been very unfavorable. If this happens, he said there should be a wheat share price explosion next year as inventory falls further.

Futures Markets..What's Happening?
Offered by Joel Kohn, December 23, 2000

I don't understand what's going on. I trade the futures markets. Yet, I read all the postings to this list about farm emergencies, and still prices are not skyrocketing. Prices are supposed to reflect supply/demand and other fundamental information. I subscribe to an email list comprising farmers and ranchers. Many of them post horror stories about how the agribiz conglomerates artificially depress prices in order to get a piece of legislation thru congress (eg. Farm Bill of '96 which gutted many family farms) only to allow them to buy grains at low prices, at same time purchasing cheap futures contracts, which then soar as grain prices rise. For more, visit graintraders at e-groups.com.