During a severe drought in the United States, a government agency announced that a heat record from July was broken, a record that had been in place since the Dust Bowl summer of 1936. Despite widespread crop damage in July, Midwest farmers received some relief with rain forecasted over the next 10 days, which could potentially stabilize rising grain prices and global concerns of food inflation. July was confirmed as the hottest month ever recorded in the continental United States, surpassing the previous record from July 1936, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The period from January to July was also the warmest since record-keeping began in 1895, and the warmest 12-month period, breaking the previous record set just a month ago. This marked the fourth consecutive month that U.S. temperatures broke the record for the hottest 12-month period, as reported by NOAA. Experts predict that the current drought, the most severe since 1956, will result in the smallest corn harvest in six years. This has led to high prices and limited supplies. Despite extensive planting, this would mark the third consecutive year of reduced corn production. The drought and heat in July exacerbated each other, as explained by Jake Crouch from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. He stated that as temperatures rise, the soil becomes drier, creating a vicious cycle. While some relief may come from predicted rain and cooler temperatures in the Midwest, it is unlikely to salvage the already damaged corn crop. Jason Nicholls, a meteorologist for AccuWeather, stated that although the upcoming weather is an improvement from previous conditions, he is not convinced it will end the drought. The long-term forecast still shows warm and dry conditions returning. Nicholls predicts that 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rain, with some areas getting more, will fall on about 75 percent of the Midwest between Wednesday and Friday morning, with a similar weather pattern expected next week. He mentioned that there may be slightly less rain in southeast Iowa, but increased rainfall in Missouri. Drew Lerner, a meteorologist for World Weather Inc., predicts that there will be some rain in the northwest over the weekend. Temperatures in the Midwest are expected to be in the 80s Fahrenheit for the next few days, a relief from the previous high temperatures that were damaging corn and soybean production. The impact of the drought on these crops has led to rising grain prices, which will in turn affect consumer staples such as milk, cheese, beef, fish, and poultry. Many producers are reducing the size of their herds to cut costs and avoid significant losses. Corn and soybeans are used in a variety of products, including biofuels, starch, edible oils, and lubricants. US corn prices have increased by more than 50 percent in the last two months, reaching a record high on July 20. Soybean prices, which were planted later than corn, also rose by more than 20 percent during the same period and hit a record high on the same day. Delivery prices during harvest time have decreased by about 7 percent due to light rains in parts of the Midwest over the past two weeks, which analysts believe could benefit the crops as they are filling pods. The rains, however, are considered to have come too late for the corn crop, as it has already passed its crucial pollination stage when final yields are determined. Initially, grain prices at the Chicago Board of Trade decreased on Wednesday but then rebounded. The government's initial assessment of the autumn harvest will be released on Friday. Projections for corn yields have already been reduced by 12% because of the hot and dry conditions in the Farm Belt. The drought has become a factor in election year politics, with President Obama urging Congress to pass a farm bill that includes disaster aid for farmers and ranchers. The administration is committed to helping alleviate the effects of the drought. Obama stated that the ongoing historic drought is significantly affecting farmers and ranchers in multiple states. With the US election approaching, he emphasized the importance of Congress finishing the new five-year farm bill. Although Republican leaders in the House were unable to pass the bill, they suggested a $383 million disaster package for livestock producers before taking a summer break. Obama expressed his hope that lawmakers will listen to their constituents during the recess and return on September 10 ready to promptly finalize the farm bill.