A dead cow lies on parched grasslands near Eads, on the plains of eastern Colorado. Rancher Gary Wollert said it died of respiratory infection, which has affected many cattle in the area due to the wide temperature swings in this summer's heatwave and drought. While most cases have been cured with antibiotics, some have been fatal. More than half of high plains areas of eastern Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas are still in extreme or exceptional drought, despite recent lower temperatures, according to the University of Nebraska's Drought Monitor. The record-breaking drought, which has affected more than half of the continental United States, is expected to drive up food prices by 2013 due to lower crop harvests and the adverse effect on the nation's cattle industry. By John Moore/Getty Images.