Weather a factor in looming global bacon shortage Global weather conditions are taking their toll on the artery-clogging guilty pleasure known as bacon. A world pork shortage is now "unavoidable" says Britain's National Pig Association (NPA) "The culprit is poor crop growing weather around the world, making pig feed too expensive for British farmers to afford," the NPA wrote on its website. September 18 drought conditions in the central U.S. (U.S. Drought Monitor) Here in the U.S., historic drought conditions have created challenging circumstances for hog formers. Dry conditions in the Heartland decimated the corn and soybean crop, a key source of food for pigs. In its August outlook, the USDA projected decreasing pork production moving forward: High feed costs from lower U.S. corn and soybean production is expected to reduce U.S. pork production in 2013. Per capita consumption of pork products in 2013 are expected to decline by 1.23 percent. More details on the Today Show blog. Pig saves goat: Tangentially related to this, watch this video of a pig rescuing a drowning goat posted at weather.com ...