South Africa experiencing the biggest locust infestation in decades

South Africa experiencing the biggest locust infestation in decades

The exceptionally wet rainy season in South Africa allowed rapid breeding of brown locusts and led to the biggest infestation the country has seen in decades. In December 2021, many parts of the country experienced the heaviest rains since records began in 1921.

Record-breaking cold hits Europe, causing widespread damage to agriculture

Record-breaking cold hits Europe, causing widespread damage to agriculture

Unseasonably cold weather hit parts of Europe over the past weekend, following warmer-than-normal temperatures in previous weeks that caused rapid greening of flora. Damage to agriculture is widespread but it seems it’s not as bad as it was last year when a similar cold episode happened. The worst affected countries were France, Germany, Spain and Austria.

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide across the SW Pacific and Australia

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide across the SW Pacific and Australia

Elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are present across the SW Pacific and Australia after the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on January 15, 2022. Since the eruption, the volcano has been releasing huge amounts of sulfur dioxide and…

Farmers in California abandoning their fields, U.S.

Farmers in California abandoning their fields, U.S.

Farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley are abandoning their fields due to drought that resulted in water allotments cut by a third. Farmers in this region, reportedly the most productive agricultural region globally, grow 250 different crops on 17% of the…

Historic crop loss as severe frosts hit Brazil

Historic crop loss as severe frosts hit Brazil

Farmers across Brazil are reporting widespread crop loss due to severe frosts affecting the country over the past 3 weeks. After several destructive cold waves, another blast is expected over the weekend, July 24 and 25, followed by yet another at the end of the…

Huge swathes of farmland destroyed by hailstorms, Europe

Huge swathes of farmland destroyed by hailstorms, Europe

Very heavy rain, strong winds, and intense hailstorms affecting parts of central Europe during the second half of June 2021 left more than 66 000 ha (163 090 acres) of crops damaged or destroyed. The figure doubled within just a few days and it still might rise as…