“Making Sense of Flash Drought”

 

Have you ever heard the term “flash drought” and wondered where it came from? It turns out that it has only been around for about 20 years, but is being used more and more to describe a drought that comes on quickly and severely. If you are interested, you might like to read this article in the new online Journal of Applied and Service Climatology to hear more about where the name came from and how different groups define it. The article is at https://stateclimate.org/pdfs/journal-articles/2021_1-Lisonbee.pdf.

 

 

Video: Why the Fertilizer Crisis Won’t End When the Iran War Does

The fertilizer crisis didn’t start with war — it revealed a system already under strain.

Seed World U.S. Editor Aimee Nielson breaks down what’s really happening in global fertilizer markets and why the impact on farmers may last far longer than current headlines suggest. Featuring insights from global fertilizer expert Melih Keyman and industry leaders Chris Abbott and Chris Turner, this conversation explores:

Why fertilizer supply was already tight before geopolitical disruption

What the Strait of Hormuz and global trade routes mean for input availability

How rising nitrogen prices are crushing farmer margins

Why this crisis could affect seed choices, crop mix and acreage decisions

The hidden risks around phosphate and sulfur supply

Why experts say this situation may get worse before it gets better

Even if tensions ease, the underlying issues — supply constraints, investment gaps and purchasing behavior — are still in play.

Watch to understand what this means for farmers, the seed industry and the future of global food production.