Climate Changed
Warming Planet Could Mean Bigger Corn Crops for U.S.
- Study shows Midwest weather will have more beneficial humidity
- Corn fields may not require more water as previously predicted
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An alarming increase in global temperatures from Earth’s changing climate could bring an unexpected benefit for U.S. farmers who grow corn, the nation’s biggest crop.
While hotter weather generally threatens to sap crops of needed moisture, data from Midwest corn-growing states suggests the region will see warmer summers with more humidity, which would aid plant growth and yields, according to a study by Michigan State University researchers Bruno Basso and Joe Ritchie.