Biochar Tools in California and Gas Prices Drop Again

**A nutrient that helped nourish vast rainforests may be an emerging tool for California agriculture.

Biochar dates to ancient techniques originated in the Amazon basin, where dense plants grew with help of the high-charcoal material nurtured by indigenous soil management.

Now ag entrepreneurs are seeking to expand biochar production in California through a process that converts forest and farm biomass into crop nutrients.

Modern biochar production uses extreme heat to break down biomass without oxygen or fire.

**The nation's average gas price declined for the thirteenth consecutive week, down 7.6 cents from a week ago to $3.67 per gallon.

The national average is down 26.9 cents from a month ago but

52.3 cents higher than a year ago.

The national average diesel price declined 5.5 cents last week and stands at $5.01 per gallon.

Refinery issues in California are leading to increases in areas supplied by the state's refineries, including Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and California.

**Ukrainian farmers may reduce plantings of wheat and other crops for harvest in 2023 because warfare has cut their income while facing high fuel and fertilizer costs

The International Food Policy Research Institute tells www.agriculture.com, a small crop in Ukraine, usually a leading wheat and sunflower oil exporter, could prolong tight global supplies that have driven up grain prices worldwide.

www.agriculture.com/news/business/high-input-prices-imperil-2023-crops-in-ukraine