In this report, the authors examine the agricultural security risks to crop production in the U.S. Corn Belt, the backbone of the United States’ food, feed, and biofuel industries. This region in the heart of the Midwest faces evolving threats that are shaped by biological factors, such as plant pathogens and pests; environmental stressors, such as drought and climate variability; societal and technological shifts that influence production, such as changes in supply chains; and policy frameworks. These interacting factors affect agricultural security, domestic stability, and global trade.
By identifying key threat categories and potential impacts on the Corn Belt’s agricultural industries, the authors aim to support data-driven decisionmaking for risk mitigation, preparedness, and coordinated response across the public and private sectors. This report contributes to building a proactive and integrated approach to safeguarding U.S. crop production against emerging biological, environmental, and societal risks.
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