as nbc's janet shamblian tells us, you're going to pay the price. >> reporter: the worst drought to hit the nation in 25 years is claiming its first casually in the heartland, the corn crop. one-third of it is in trouble. on this illinois farm, corn that should be a foot long has grown only a few inches. >> it's probably going to cost more in fuel than what you'll end up getting out of it. >> ranche erers are in trouble,. with no grass for cattle to graze on, they're having to buy food for their herd. >> just devastating. it looks like what i count the desert. >> reporter: but growth is coming from all this, in the form of higher prices at the grocery store. >> there's no question that higher corn prices will increase the grocery bills for most households. >> bernard is an economist who says we could see milk and cheese prices fall as much as 6%. beef could fall in the short-term because so much ranchers are selling cattle early. but they could rise as much as 10%. and it won't stop there. how long until the heat hits consumers? the trickle down won't be immediate. >> wouldn't surprise