U.S. Farm Economy Flowing in Reverse As Drought Impacts Persist

The long reach of last summer's devastating U.S. drought has reversed the flow of the mighty Mississippi River — for corn, at least, with grain-laden barges beginning the rare movement north to Midwest ethanol plants from southern farms.

The shipments come as the U.S. faces a 17-year low in corn supplies by the end of the month due to the historic drought, which slashed harvests and sent grain prices to record highs a year ago.

The tight supply is upending the country's tradition-bound agricultural economy, which is holding its breath in the weeks before an expected record harvest begins some time next month following a wet spring and summer.

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