The West’s historic, multi-year drought is threatening water supply, food production and electricity generation. It has drained reservoirs at incredible rates and fueled one of the most extreme wildfire seasons the region has ever experienced. (CNN)

As it emerges from the twin crises of Brexit and COVID, the world’s fifth largest economy is facing an acute shortage of truckers, butchers and warehouse workers that has exacerbated global supply chain strains. (Reuters)

The cost of goods leaving China’s factories is surging by the highest rate on record, stoking fears about stagflation in the world’s second largest economy at a time when it is already grappling with an extreme power crunch and deepening debt woes. (CNN Business)  

Food companies are coming under renewed pressure to use less salt after U.S. regulators spelled out long-awaited guidelines aimed at reducing sodium levels in dozens of foods including condiments, cereals, french fries and potato chips. (ABC News)

More than 10,000 union workers at agricultural manufacturer Deere & Co., also known as John Deere, went on strike Thursday morning after union members rejected a new wage proposal by the company, the United Auto Workers union announced, one in a series of recent high-profile strikes as workers have more leverage amid widespread labor shortages. (Forbes)  

When the pandemic arrived in 2020, Bob Miller, like other pork producers, adjusted to the changes affecting both his show pig business and his pork retail business. For Miller, the transition included finding new ways to market his products using a mobile store and online platform. (The Pantagraph)