With drought conditions across the country rapidly worsening, farmers and agricultural officials are expecting one of the worst corn crops in more than a decade.

After several years of major windfalls, the agricultural sector is experiencing one of the worst declines in recent memory. The ongoing drought, which has affected more than two-thirds of the country, is withering crops and weakening livestock nationwide. Some farmers are reporting near total losses of their summer crops and major agricultural states like Iowa have reported that only 15 percent of their corn crop is in good condition.

With conditions worsening every week, some farmers have expressed astonishment that any corn at all is growing. According to the head of the National Corn Growers Association, “I have to be honest with you, I’m totally stunned we have corn with green stalks and leaves after going through weeks of 105-degree temperature. Our corn yield normally would be about 190 bushels per acre. This year, if I get 110, I’d be thrilled to death.”

Despite these poor conditions, farmers are still expected to produce one of their eight largest harvests in recent history. Partly, this is due to the sheer amount of corn planted. Many farmers had hoped to capitalize on high prices and anticipated the largest crop in more than 80 years. In addition, the development of drought resistance crops has mitigated much of the potential drought damage.

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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer