Severe drought has plagued many states. According to a New York Times article, it’s the worst widespread drought since the 1950s. The drought has affected crops such corn and soy beans, both severely burned to the point of no return. Cattle farmers are also feeling the pressure of having less land for their cattle to feed on, resulting in less production.

They report,

“Fifty-five percent of the continental United States — from California to Arkansas, Texas to North Dakota — is under moderate to extreme drought, according to the government, the largest such area since December 1956.”

One-third of the nation’s countries have been declared in a state of federal disaster, and farmers are now turning to other alternatives, some acquiring low- interest loans to help them reach their quota.

It’s only a matter of time before consumers begin to feel this hit closer to home. With less crops being produced, the prices will invariably increase by the time they make it to our grocery stores.

“An analysis released on Thursday by the United States Drought Monitor showed that 88 percent of corn and 87 percent of soybean crops in the country were in drought-stricken regions, a 10 percent jump from a week before. Corn and soybean prices reached record highs on Thursday, with corn closing just over $8.07 a bushel and soybeans trading as high as $17.49.”

The word scary is an understatement.

In the upcoming months the drought is expected to get much worse, with the heat not only affecting much of the crops, but also causing forest fires throughout much of the region.