The Corn ‘Train Wreck’ May Be Worse Than Forecast, U.S. Farmers Warn

  • Illinois growers gathered for ‘prevent plant party’ last night
  • ‘It’s going to take people a couple of years to get right’
Water floods a cornfield in Malden, Illinois, U.S., on May 29.Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

A smartphone could fit in the space between James McCune’s index finger and thumb as the Illinois farmer describes the height of crops stuntedBloomberg Terminal by incessant rain and unseasonably cool weather.

“Corn’s not supposed to be this tall” in mid-June, McCune, who can trace his family’s farm roots as far back as 1857, said. “It’s supposed to be this tall,” as he gestures just below his waist.