from grist.org: The mass slaughter of millions of farm animals across the world is expected to push food prices to their highest ever levels. Farmers across the world have begun a mass slaughter of their pig and cattle herds because they cannot afford the cost of feed, which has soared following the worst US drought in living memory, according to a report published on Wednesday. Experts at investment bank Rabobank warn that the mass “herd liquidation” will contribute to a 14% jump in the price of the average basket of food [in the United Kingdom] by next summer.