The fact that much of our supply of nitrogen fertilizers is imported should somewhat buffer the direct impact of Katrina's damage to natural-gas production capacity, but in the short run, nitrogen prices could increase,

Before artificial nitrogen fertilizer became widely available, the world's population was around 2 billion. When we no longer have it - or if we ever decide to stop using it - that may be the number to which our own naturally gravitates.

A lot is completely wrapped up in a first impression. But if you can take that first impression and buffer it by disseminating information to a person by the time you meet in person, there isn't so much of a shock-and-awe effect.

The supply situation was very spotty,

This market is somewhat difficult to call.

We strongly suggest that material planners anticipate an impact on lead times and factor that into appropriate buffer inventories on critical components.