Wheat exploded in price yesterday (limit up) after USDA forecast that over 8 million acres of HRW (Hard Red Wheat) will be abandoned in the Great Plains

That's 37% of planted acreage reported in the March Prospective Planting report, and means U.S. farmers this year will harvest their smallest wheat crop since 1972.

This comes on top of already record-low planted acreage heading into the season (lowest since 1919 in some metrics). Global supplies are tightening too.

Expect bread, pasta, baked goods, and processed foods to climb in the coming months — and pressure on livestock feed could push meat/dairy prices higher as well. This is another brick in the wall of rising food costs.

Grow your own food — that is the answer. Stock seeds, expand the garden, learn to preserve, and connect with local growers.

- @iceagefarmer

(source)