US corn yields seriously threatened as soils dry and temperature climbs

 A preview of climate impacts to come.

For the second year in a row, farmers and agriculture analysts are watching temperatures rise during peak pollination time for the U.S. corn crop. Corn pollen is sensitive to high temperatures, and heat waves during pollination time will lower yields, as happened last year.

Now the heat wave in the Midwest is coupled with record low levels of soil moisture, leading to added stress on pollination and added anxiety all around