the food supply, worldwide, gets impacted by many things and here's one aimed at the empire;

Abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions are expected to persist across 60% of the continental U.S. as spring in the Northern Hemisphere begins. Forecasters expect little to no rain for certain parts of the western U.S. through June.

From April to June, above-average temperatures are expected from Southwest to the East Coast and north through the Midwest, according to a new outlook published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

NOAA's map shows a greater than 50% chance of drought persistence for nearly 60% of the continental U.S. ........read more.........