ILLINOIS — In Northern Illinois, cornfields are a familiar sight and they play a vital role in the region’s economy and food supply.

“A lot of things are made from corn, hundreds and hundreds of things. You still may argue that you don't eat corn, but if you eat beef, pork, chicken, you know, all those things eat corn,” said farmer Cody Book, co-owner of Book Cattle & Grain.

Along with cattle, Book raises corn, winter wheat, soybeans, and more. Standing in his fields, he explained the basics of corn development. “You see [how the silk is] brown.. that means we've done our job... brown means we have pollinated the corn and there's nothing left to do for pollination."

Book said farmers are constantly battling insects and bacteria that can destroy crops.

“This fungicide and insecticide ap

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