In the absence of natural predators deer populations are continuing to expand, threatening biodiversity and causing road traffic accidents and crop damage, say researchers.

BBC: Deer: 50% cull 'necessary to protect countryside'

Until they do, the monoculture of the banana means that the fruit is susceptible to widespread crop damage by Race Four and perhaps new diseases.

FORBES: Banana Fungus Threatens World Crop

Two years ago, prices shot up 7% on one January day amid concern about crop damage, then plunged 13% the following day after fears eased.

WSJ: Orange-Juice Futures Leap to Record

The crop damage is dealing a further blow to Britain's farming industry, which is already reeling from a spate of recent livestock deaths due to the cold weather.

BBC: Britain 'running out of wheat' owing to bad weather

But such was their intensity -- Wajir, northeast Kenya received more rain in six weeks (402 millimeters) than the annual average -- it led to crop damage, says the WMO.

CNN: SHARE THIS

The extent of the damage to the Florida crop, which provides 75% of the country's orange juice, isn't known, but traders expect the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday to reduce its estimate for the 2011-12 harvest.

WSJ: Orange-Juice Futures Leap to Record

"The severe deterioration of maize crop prospects in the US following extensive drought damage pushed up maize prices by almost 33% in July, " said the FAO.

BBC: Global food prices rise in July due to extreme weather

The meager payment is largely the result of an insurance calculation which pays off based on the stage of crop development that has been achieved when the damage occurs.

CNN: farmer plows

Local people were concerned about the damage to the environment caused by growing just one crop.

BBC: The Aral Sea crisis

This year, he got his crop into the ground by late April, but dry conditions are now causing damage and reducing the number bushels his fields will produce.

WSJ: Midwest's Dry Spell Threatens to Intensify