Drought corn 2012 08 16

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Cruel season for some, windfall for others

Latin America’s biggest food producers may benefit from drought, while poor face hunger.

Third-hottest summer on record for US in 2012

Average temperature in lower US was 74.4 degrees

Severely damaged corn stalks due to a widespread drought are seen at sunset on a farm near Oakland City, Indiana, Aug. 15, 2012. Record heat throughout the US farm belt states have curtailed crop production and likely will send corn and soybean prices to record highs, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Saul Loeb

AFP/Getty Images