Drought Clobbering Farms In Lake County
GRAYSLAKE, Ill. (CBS) -- Hot weather combined with little rain is not only scorching your lawn, it is also making it tough for farmers in northern Illinois.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, you may think of suburban subdivisions when it comes to Lake County, but there are plenty of farms too -- and they're struggling.
"It's been one of the worst years that we've seen up here in northern Illinois," said Greg Koeppen of the Lake County Farm Bureau.
There are about 30,000 acres of farmland in Lake County alone. Most grow corn and soybeans, but there are other crops as well.
"Within the next week here, you're going to see a lot of farmers that are making some decisions on, will the crop even make it?" Koeppen said.
Koppen says 40 to 50 percent or more of the crops in Lake County aren't going to make it.
Expect that to have an impact on prices at the supermarket, and less selection at farmers' markets.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports
