1.   A late spring freeze and dry conditions this summer have bears coming down from the mountains in a search for food.

2.   Early growth could leave wheat plants more vulnerable to winter-kill damage if a spring freeze hits, trade sources said.

3.   First it was apple orchards, wiped out in successive spring freezes.

4.   Last year a cool, wet spring helped wheat plants recover from an early spring freeze but slowed ripening and delayed the start of harvest, she said.

5.   Last year, a cool, wet spring helped wheat plants recover from an early spring freeze but slowed ripening and delayed the start of harvest, she said.

6.   USDA figures release Monday after trading showed the U.S. winter wheat crop was maturing early and in good shape before the spring freeze blanketed the Plains over the weekend.

7.   A spring freeze in parts of Italy, the lack of rain and European Union incentives to cut back on vineyards were at fault.