Fungal Disease Threatens Record Corn Crop in U.S. Midwest

A severe fungal disease outbreak, specifically Southern Rust, is spreading rapidly across corn fields in the U.S. Midwest, threatening to reduce yields of what was projected to be a record-breaking 2025 corn crop by as much as 45%. This outbreak comes amid already challenging conditions for American farmers, including low grain prices and rising input costs, and is expected to disrupt the autumn harvest and potentially impact America's food supply. Harvest progress remains limited in key Corn Belt states like Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, where farmers are preparing for the season despite concerns over poor stalk quality and reduced yields, particularly in late-planted corn affected by heat and dry conditions. Meanwhile, a heat wave with temperatures reaching the 90s is accelerating crop maturity but also raising concerns about dusty harvest conditions and increased risk of field fires. In Uganda, wheat production remains low, meeting only a small fraction of demand, while wheat breeders are tackling diseases such as Fusarium head blight and stem rust by developing resistant varieties to help farmers cope with yield losses in high-altitude regions. These agricultural challenges highlight the ongoing difficulties in managing crop diseases and environmental stresses amid growing global food demand.