WALTONVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- A southern Illinois farmer and rancher says his 300 acres of corn are a bust and he's eager to hear the governor's plan for dealing with drought.

Gov. Pat Quinn is set to visit 71-year-old James Laird's farm near Waltonville  today ( Monday 7/16).  

Laird says he'll likely mow down all his corn, chop it up and feed it to his cattle. Almost a third of the nation's corn crop has been damaged by heat and drought.

Laird hopes his 300 acres of soybeans pull through.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week announced a streamline approach to getting drought-affected farmers and ranchers federal help that could include emergency loans with lower interest rates.