The Pickett fire burned nearly 7,000 acres in California wine country last year, causing millions of dollars in losses.

© Fred Greaves/Reuters

After a drop in demand driven by a nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis, California growers are plowing lettuce back into the soil and laying off workers.

President faces criticism over plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without charging higher tariffs

Donald Trump has pledged to allow cattle ranchers and farmers to process their own food amid a backlash from the US agricultural sector over his decision to pause US tariffs on foreign beef.

The US president has been sharply criticized, including from members of his own party, since announcing the US will temporarily import up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef without charging higher tariffs in an effort to bring down prices.

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© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Extreme heat waves this summer have set off an early grape harvest in Champagne and elsewhere in France.

© Agence France-Presse

After the departure of thousands of federal workers, rural communities report problems obtaining loans, grants, technical assistance and support for infrastructure and other services.

© Nina Riggio for The New York Times

War, climate shocks and trade disputes are pounding the world’s breadbaskets and pushing the global food system into dangerous territory.

© Lisi Niesner/Reuters

Bad harvests and attacks on trade passages threaten to drive food prices higher.

© Lisi Niesner/Reuters

Meat producer closes facilities in Utah and Illinois as beef prices rise for consumers amid historic cattle shortage

• People in the US: how much do you spend on food per month?

Tyson Foods, the largest meatpacking company in the US, announced last week that it is closing two of its facilities in Illinois and Utah and selling a beef facility in Washington state, and will lay off hundreds of workers as the supply of cattle hits a 75-year low.

The historic cattle shortage has been driven by a multi-year drought, rising costs and severe economic pressures, including consolidation among cattle ranchers. Beef prices have soared over the last year due to the shortage, though economists said the Tyson plant closures likely won’t hit consumer prices so hard.

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© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

A broad group of diseases in the agricultural powerhouse is top of mind for the midterm elections

In Iowa, one of the key battleground states in November’s midterm elections, just about every political candidate agrees on one thing: something must be done about the state’s rising rates of cancer.

The midwestern state has the second-highest rate of cancer nationwide and, together with Utah and West Virginia, is one of only three states where incidents of the disease are rising, according to cancer rate monitoring from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

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© Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

© Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

© Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Trump administration delayed a rule last year that could have sped up the effort to pinpoint the source of the contamination. Critics charge that food safety oversight has eroded overall.

© Al Drago for The New York Times

The recurring climate phenomenon is expected to peak later this year, but it is already causing dry spells and crop failures on three continents.

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The insects, revered in local culture, are disappearing for many reasons, including rapid development to cater to tourists.

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The traditional ways of cultivating the peppers may not survive the challenges of climate change and soaring costs, so Pakistani farmers are trying to adapt.

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Monster Wolf and Pochi are among the robots deployed to scare away bears and transport cherry blossoms in a northern region where many farmers are in their 70s or older.

© Chang W. Lee/The New York Times