Apologies to the world's farmers, but for many Americans the
worst result of the widespread drought that shriveled crops this
summer may be yet to come: a worldwide bacon shortage. Great
Britain's National Pig Association says a world shortage of pork
and bacon next year is unavoidable. Because corn and soybean
crops everywhere were devastated by the summer's droughts,
there's less pig feed to go around, and it costs more. The
result: shrinking pig herds, pricier pork, and millions of
disappointed bacon lovers. The trade group says the pig
population could fall 10 percent by the end of next year, which
could double the price of European pork. Already herds have
shrunk across Europe. In the U.S., farmers are rapidly selling
off pigs they can no longer afford to feed, resulting in a
record 580.0 million pounds of pork in U.S. warehouses,
according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Los
Angeles Times. The harsh summer already resulted in food prices
increasing 10 percent from June to July, with major