A corn plant damaged by extreme heat and drought conditions is photographed against a white background in a field in Carmi, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Cracked, dry ground is seen where a pond normally stands on the property of Ray Mercer in Crossville, Illinois, U.S., on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. Mercer said he had lived on the property over 50 years and this was the second time the pond had dried up. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
