[GOPJ]

Private wheat stocks are divided into two major categories — on-farm wheat stocks owned by farmers, and off-farm wheat stocks owned by warehouses and grain companies. These two together held 305.6 million bushels of wheat as of June 1 (or roughly 1 bushel per person living in the United States) the lowest level in 60 years.

With zero held by government - isn't this low 'private stocks' number a recipe for panic?

[JDW11235]

“With zero held by government - isn’t this low ‘private stocks’ number a recipe for panic?”

Indeed it is. Although I belioeve in self reliance, it’s noteworthy to mention that (as far as I know, I no longer remember the source, however) once upon a time the U.S. government had a emergency supply of food for several years for the populace, it was whittled down to a year, then 6 months, then weeks, then it ceased being a time frame and started to be measured in quantity. It’s been reduced and reduced over time, until it’s literally peanuts. I think 25lbs or so, and a sack of flour, or something to that effect, IIRC.