Drought's effects linger even in winter [1]

Chicago Tribune - 12/27/12, Bridget Doyle

Farmers, river traffic, communities continue to battle impact of dry weather

Joe White, a corn and soybean farmer in Kane County, says his crop was 25 percent smaller this summer. (José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune / December 11, 2012)

As in Decembers past, corn and soybean farmer Joe White is busy hauling grain miles from his Kane County farm to sell at corn intake facilities in Chicago and elsewhere. But this year's load is lighter because his crop suffered in the drought.

"I had a 25 percent reduction of corn this year," White said. "The corn was attempting to pollinate during those 100-degree days in July, and the heat interfered with the process. The size of the ear is reduced too."

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