Warmer, wetter weather has crops on the move

[phantom power]

DES MOINES, IA (AP) - Experts say warmer and wetter weather in parts of the Midwest and Northeast have helped farmers grow corn, soybeans and other crops in regions that once were too dry or cold.

Bruce Babcock, an Iowa State University agriculture economist, says in the Midwest, soybean production is expanding north and the cornbelt is expanding north and west because of earlier planting dates and later fall freezes.

Jay Lawrimore, the chief of climatic analysis for the National Climatic Data Center in North Carolina, says average U.S. rainfall has increased 7% in the past 50 years. The center says the Earth's average temperature has increased about 1.3 degrees since the late 1800s.

Babcock says seed company efforts to adapt to changes have contributed to the expanded crop production areas.

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=13290245