US corn crop showing signs of damage from weather

Chicago

BILL Long says the 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of corn he grows in Illinois is a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly, after soaking rains in June and July were followed by a dry August.

Some of his crop produced normal-sized ears, but many plants were hampered by disease and a lack of nutrients, and some are just dying. With similar results appearing on farms across the Midwest, there are growing signs that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) may need to cut its production forecast this month.