The United States is by far the largest producer of corn in the world, and provides one fourth of the world's wheat export market. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), the U.S. produced 13.1 billion bushels of corn and 2.17 billion bushels of wheat in 2010. When combined with Mexico's massive corn output and Canada's wheat farmers, North America is a major world player in the agricultural commodities market.
Corn and wheat are key crops relied upon globally for sustenance, particularly in the Western world. With a changing climate, the ability to grow these two crops successfully is under threat. A decrease in crop yield, soil degradation, and increased hunger are projected risks, among other potential consequences.

Source: Minnesota Public Radio

This blog will examine the biological impacts of climate change in relation to agriculture. I will specifically explore how climate changes (like precipitation, temperature, and greenhouse gases) affect growing conditions for corn and wheat, and their response to these changes. Ultimately, I will discuss the dangers ahead and how the future of large-scale food production is changing.

This is an individual website project for the University of Washington course "Biological Impacts of Climate Change," instructed by Dr. Harsch and Dr. Horwith from the Department of Biology.