The Midwest drought has withered the nation's corn crop and pushed prices up. Now, the market for alternative feed for cattle is skyrocketing -- sending farmers scrambling for cheaper alternatives, like gummy worms and ice cream sprinkles.

The U.S. drought is fueling a corn shortage that's driving up prices around the globe. And yet, federal support for corn ethanol -- a fuel additive -- means some 40 percent of U.S. corn will be turned into ethanol this year.

Farmers in dry areas who rely on irrigation start off better in a drought than farmers who count on rain. But when water tables fall, irrigation starts to shut down.

Corn may play a bigger role in the economy than you think. And when prices rise, the effect is wide.