US Drought Withers Corn and Soybean Crops
B.McPherson This may be evidence of climate change or it may be a periodic disaster. Either way it hits the consumer and producer hard. The US Mid-West is facing its worst drought in 56 years and it is having a major impact on the soybean and corn yields. The American Mid-West is the world’s largest supplier of corn and a leading supplier of soybeans. Both have been hit hard by the lack of rain this summer. Iowa has been the hardest hit of the states under extreme drought conditions. They share that unfortunate designation with Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Currently 35 states have counties that have been declared disaster areas. The corn and soybean futures have reached record high prices. The ripples from the failed crops will spread across N.America and also to the hungry in foreign countries. Corn and its processed products are found in much of the processed foods in the supermarkets. Corn is the principle food for feed lot cattle. The Ameri...