Bird flu in 38 states: Florida is the 38th state where scientists have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza among domestic flocks since early February, this time in a backyard flock in Seminole County, just north of Orlando. Some 40.13 million birds, mostly chickens and turkeys, have died in the worst HPAI outbreak since 2015. (USDA)
Lower infant-formula tariffs: President Biden, in an effort to lower costs and increase supply, enacted legislation to lower tariffs on imported infant formula and formula input products through the end of the year. (White House)
Ukraine grain deal imperiled: A day after agreeing to allow the export of millions of tonnes of grain from three Ukrainian ports, Russia attacked port facilities in Odessa, putting the agreement in jeopardy. (Washington Post)
Drought stresses global crops: World wheat and feed grain production was forecast to fall 2 percent in 2022/23, its first decline in five years, due to the impact of drought in Europe. (International Grains Council)
Protection for giant sequoias: Following wildfires that killed one-fifth of all giant sequoia trees since 2015, the Forest Service said it would initiate emergency fuel-reduction treatments on 13,371 acres that hold 12 groves of the trees in California. (USDA)