Cold, wet weather in much of the Corn Belt has forced farmers to delay planting.

AFFECTED STATES: The weather has kept farmers from planting any corn in Ohio, Indiana and Iowa, the nation’s biggest corn grower. Just 4 percent of the U.S. crop has been planted, compared to an average of 17 percent at this point the previous five years.

THE IMPACT: Corn prices already have been driven to record highs by the demand for corn to feed livestock in emerging economies overseas and to create ethanol at home. And high corn prices are part of food-price inflation that’s dragging on the economy. Any problems with this year’s crop could push prices even higher.

HOW SERIOUS?: The hybrid corn seeds planted by most farmers mature relatively quickly once planted. So even if they’re planted well into May, the plants should be growing in time to take advantage of the summer heat. That period and how much heat corn plants soak up is a key factor in determining how much corn they’ll produce.