We're seeing stories about the potential effects of the rise in fertilizer prices (an impact of the current war in the Middle East) on farmer crop choices and on global food supply. Here are two articles, one focusing on the US, and the other on global effects. "Prolonged Iran War Could Shrink US Corn Acres, Analysts Say: 'Prices for fertilizer jumped from $516 per metric ton on Friday to up to $683 at the import hub of New Orleans on Thursday'," Morning Ag Clips, 9 arch 2026 https://www.morningagclips.com/prolonged-iran-war-could-shrink-us-corn-acres... (Apparently growers are considering alternatives to corn that don't require as much nitrogen fertilizer input.) "The war in Iran could plunge the world into hunger: Farmers from Iowa to India depend on fossil fuel-based fertilizers. Much of their supply is stuck in the Persian Gulf," by Ayurella Horn-Muller, Grist, 11 March 2026 https://grist.org/food-and-agriculture/the-war-in-iran-could-plunge-the-worl... (Article discusses a number of issues around the world.) While one would never wish this scenario for any reason, three questions are: * whether crops like millets requiring less inputs will receive more attention, * how ready we are to shift to such crops, and * whether, in making such a shift at this time, adequate production levels can be achieved. Don Osborn, PhD (East Lansing, MI, US) North American Millets Alliance