What Goes Up Must Come Down -- Even Corn Crop Projections

Remember this spring when farmers were planting the most corn the country has seen since the Great Depression?

Experts predicted this year's harvest would be one for the record books.

It turns out they may be right, but not in the way anybody had hoped.

Adjusted yield projections -- which is to say, bushels of corn harvested per acre planted -- have dropped to their lowest since 2003.

Thanks to the worst drought in 25 years, expectations for this year's Midwestern corn harvest have plummeted.

The USDA currently estimates yields to average 146 bushels an acre -- a 20-bushel drop from their June estimate.

In response, corn futures prices have risen over 25 percent since mid-June.

Overall, though, the USDA anticipates harvest of 12.97 billion bushels of corn this season -- the third-largest harvest in history in absolute terms.

This has largely to do with farmers' decision to plant so many acres of corn this year.

Analysts predict that any foods made with corn are likely to increase in price.

This includes corn-fed meats, vitamins and anything containing corn syrup.

A rule of thumb is that overall food prices go up 1 percent for every 50 percent average increase in corn prices.

Drought May Increase Food Prices (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Widespread Drought Causes Corn Prices To Surge; Grocery Goods Next? (Los Angeles Times)
Midwest Drought Slashes US Corn Estimate, Jolts Market (Reuters)
Indiana's Corn Crop Vulnerable To Hot, Dry Conditions (Indiana Public Media)