CROPS

Wheat, gold and the U.S. Dollar -- all internationally visible, all affecting everyday life for most of us, even if we pay no attention at all.

Wheat export prices are determined by competitive offers submitted to the requesting buyer, so the fluctuating value of the dollar relative to the buyer's native currency has a direct impact from Oka-san's shopping basket in Sasebo all the way back to the wallet of the guy sitting on the combine in Walla Walla County.

If the dollar is weaker versus the currency of another competing seller, U.S. wheat actually becomes less expensive for the buyer. If to...