WALTONVILLE, Ill. (AP)- A southern Illinois farmer and rancher says his 300 acres of corn are a bust and he’s eager to hear the governor’s plan for dealing with drought.

Gov. Pat Quinn is set to visit 71-year-old James Laird’s farm near Waltonville on Monday. It’s about 80 miles east of St. Louis.Quinn isn’t releasing his plans ahead of the scheduled visit.

Laird says he’ll likely mow down all his corn, chop it up and feed it to his cattle. Almost a third of the nation’s corn crop has been damaged by heat and drought.
Laird hopes his 300 acres of soybeans pull through.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week announced a streamline approach to getting drought-affected farmers and ranchers federal help that could include emergency loans with lower interest rates.

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