Food inflation forecast rises: Food prices will rise by an average of 8 percent this year compared to average prices in 2021 — 1 percentage point higher than forecast a month ago and the highest inflation rate in four decades, said the monthly Food Price Outlook. (USDA)
Gates’ purchase roils Dakotans: North Dakota state officials are investigating whether the purchase of roughly 2,100 acres (3.3 square miles) of farmland by a trust associated with billionaire Bill Gates violates a law against corporate farming. (Associated Press)
New AFBF exec: Joby Young, who was chief of staff for Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, will become executive vice president of the largest U.S. farm group in mid-July, following the retirement of Dale Moore. (American Farm Bureau Federation)
Romanian farmers dream big: Romania is a much smaller grain producer than Ukraine and its major seaport has limited capacity, but “there are opportunities for Romanian farmers this year” in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (New York Times)
All wildfires aren’t equal: Fires started by human activity, such as a smoldering campfire, burn hotter, spread faster and destroy more trees than wildfires with natural causes, such as lightning, say scientists. (Los Angeles Times)