it has more of 7 antioxidants to support cell health. one a day 50+. the u.s. is experiencing the worst drought since 1956. as evidence, take a look at this map. those red and dark brown areas show the parts of the midwest that are in a drought so significant that it s considered either extreme or exceptional. the unusually dry conditions are killing crops, leading to the lowest corn harvest in 17 years and the lowest soybean yields since 2003. the possible result, higher prices for all food products next year from grain to meat. washington politics are also forcing farmers to pay a huge price as their crops die, congress cannot come to an agreement on a farm bill that would provide disaster aid. earlier this week in iowa, president obama called out his new rival for holding it up. the best way to help these states is for the folks in
john: as the worst drought in decades parches some of our states, the fed is predicting what could be the worst corn harvest in at least 15 years. the drought covers 78% of the country. the worst of it hitting the midwestern corn belt. it s caused the price of the crop to skyrocket, but it will affect many groceries as well. since corn and its biproducts turn up in everything from serial to soda. months ago, corn farmers were expecting a record year. the u.s. department of agriculture has cut its projected corn harvest by 17% from last month. one place it s not so dry, dallas. officials there say above average rainfall is a big reason for the return of west nile virus. it s potentially dead complete spread through mosquitoes which breed in standing water. dallas county officials declaring a public health emergency after reports a 9th person died this week. last major outbreak was back in 2003 when some 260 people died
corn prices this is likely to be the largest corn harvest in the united states. partly because we re growing more corn before the failures start but we have much better adaptability than we did. so the farming industry can be more, more adaptable to climate change than it used to be. but if you have government policies that basically ensure farmers against losses, then they have less of a reason to adjust to the fact that the climate is changing. they can expect the government to cut them a check if things go bad. i just want to ask, gary, if it s true we re still going to have the third largest corn yield. if that s the projection, are you confident that the price, the price on these commodities the market is finding is the true price and it is not being driven by, let s say irrational irrational anxiety about weather conditions. well, chris, we re not a
of improvement in land management and drought resistant seeds but quote have the third largest corn harvest in history. shepard: thank you from a steamy day at white house. more ahead on the syrian civil war, the regime is crumbling and the entire country appears to be falling into chaos and the united nations just delayed yet another vote on what to do about it. doctors will be able to write prescriptions if a new weight loss drug and this is a whole new world. it could be $1 billion win for the campaign selling it. and for fat people everywhere. we hope. [ barks ] [ upbeat ] [ barks ] beneful playful life is made with energy-packed wholesome grains. and real beef and egg. to help you put more play in your day.
abc s alex perez shows us why. reporter: the blistering heat, buckling the pavement, causing the earth to crumble on the roadways and on the farm where bone-dry soil is creating major problem for farmers across the corn belt states. we are at such a critical point in this corn plant s life now, it could be the beginning of the end. reporter: in manhattan, illinois, where this farmer is a fourth generation farmer they re praying for rain. some plants are almost two feet shorter than they should be at this point in the season and the next two weeks are critical. corn plants begin the pollination period. without the right amount of moisture his corn crop could be lost. if the heat and dry weather continue and can t pull enough moisture out of the ground and all the kernels will just die. reporter: it was supposed to be the best corn harvest in decades. but now farmers are fearing a repeat of the 1988 drought which wiped out millions of acres of corn and billions in crop damage.