Va. corn crop thrives in the heat

The rest of us may be wilting, but Virginia's corn crop is thriving thanks to high temperatures.

The Associated Press reports that most sweet corn grown in Virginia is irrigated to help it weather hot, dry spells such as the current scorcher.

Early spring rains followed by seasonal warmth also gave corn a heads-up over other crops, according to the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

But alas, only a few ears will make it to your picnic table. The majority of corn grown in the state is for feed use. In 2008, Virginia growers harvested 340,000 acres of feed corn for animals.