California Freeze Impacts Nut Growers & Food & Feed Prices Higher

**California nut farmers are tabulating their crop losses after a late-February freeze damaged orchards in multiple counties.

One Sutter County farmer reported that 60% of his orchard may have been damaged by the freeze, potentially devastating his yield.

The Sutter County ag commissioner says damage to almond crops spans five neighboring counties, which are now collecting data for a potential disaster declaration.

**The United Nations Food Agency says

The Food and Agriculture Organization says Russia and Ukraine combine to provide 19% of the world’s barley supply, 14% of the wheat, and 4% of the maize, which Reuters says makes up more than one-third of the global cereal exports.

**The USDA announced it will support developing additional fertilizer production in the U.S. to address rising costs and spur competition.

The agency will make $250 million available this summer through a new grant program to support independent, innovative, and sustainable American fertilizer production to help supply American farmers.

To address growing concerns about competition in the agricultural supply chain, USDA will also launch a public inquiry seeking information regarding seeds and agricultural inputs, fertilizer, and retail markets.