Corn, Pork Producers Warn of Drought's Impact

While much of the midwest is in a moderate to severe drought, many farmers are feeling the effects of their dying crop, such as this farm west of Center Point, Iowa, on Tuesday, July 11, 2012. (Nikole Hanna/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 17, 2012 at 11:28 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2012 at 11:28 AM CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's corn and pork producers are warning Gov. Terry Branstad that tough times are looming for farmers as the drought gripping the state and nation gets worse.

The comments came in a forum Branstad hosted Tuesday in Mount Pleasant to discuss what Iowa climatologist Harry Hillaker called the worst state drought since 1988.

Wayne Humphreys, a Columbus Junction farmer and member with the Iowa Corn Growers Association, showed Branstad corn from his field that he said was deteriorating. He says farmers who have a tough year "will get despondent and withdraw" and develop stress and health problems.

Bill Tentinger of the Iowa Pork Producers Association says the drought is causing a spike in feed prices that "may be on the verge of creating a financial disaster for the pork industry."

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