The Latest

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  Is a farm borrowing crisis on the horizon?

  The demand for loans is expected to increase by its largest amount since 2013, according to a Rabobank report, "begging the question of which banks will stick with the sector."

  Crops

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  Berkeley passes first ‘factory farm’ ban in US

  Measure DD received more than 60% of the yes vote, garnering support from residents concerned about the impact CAFOs have on livestock and the environment.

  Regulations

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  Turkey could be upstaged by other meats this Thanksgiving: CoBank

  The popular holiday item faces tightened supply and lower demand than in previous years, the cooperative bank said in a report.

  Meat

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  Trump taps ‘border czar’ who promised worksite immigration enforcement

  The choice of Tom Homan comes after Trump conducted workplace raids during his first term, including at seven Mississippi poultry plants.

  Meat

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  Smithfield pays $2M to settle child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant

  Children between the ages of 14 and 17 were employed at a processing facility, with most working after 9 p.m., according to a two-year state audit.

  Meat

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  Column

  Agtech seedlings: Bayer gets into the AI business with Microsoft

  Also in this week's farm technology news: Nutella maker Ferrero invests in hazelnut research, and digital crop monitoring platform FarmQA acquires competitor Farm Dog.

  Crops

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  McDonald’s and Syngenta team up to create a more sustainable hamburger

  The fast-food giant and meat supplier Lopez Foods will pay farmers to use Syngenta's Enogen corn to drive feed efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  Meat

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  Cox Farms becomes largest indoor farming operator in North America

  The agricultural subsidiary of telecom giant Cox Enterprises has been on an acquisition spree since its launch in March, doubling the acreage for brands BrightFarms and Mucci Farms.

  Crops

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  Bayer urges investor patience as weak agricultural market drags earnings

  The chemical giant cut its financial outlook as it faces slowing crop protection sales and regulatory uncertainty around glyphosate and dicamba herbicides.

  Crops

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  Cargill employee’s ransomware attack and discrimination claims dismissed

  The decision is also a victory for UKG, whom the employee sued separately for privacy violation allegations stemming from a 2021 ransomware attack.

  Meat

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  Tyson more than doubles profits after building ‘stronger chicken business’

  Strong demand and operational efficiencies have boosted the meat giant's sales despite ongoing challenges from tighter cattle supplies.

  Meat

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  California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

  The American Farm Bureau Federation was among business groups that claimed a rule requiring large companies to report their carbon emissions violated the First Amendment. 

  Sustainability

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  Why the agtech sector may be rebounding

  Total investment increased more than 10% for two consecutive quarters following a dry spell for the category, according to Pitchbook, though fewer deals are happening.

  Technology

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  California biofuel restrictions limit farms’ role in renewable energy transition

  New changes to the state's low carbon fuel standard cap incentives for soybean oil in renewable diesel and give a timeline to phase out subsidies for dairy methane digesters.

  Crops

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  Opinion

  What happens when the left-right food policy spectrum becomes a circle?

  Changes of leadership at the FDA and the USDA under President-elect Trump could have a large impact on the industry, writes Sean McBride of DSM Communications.

  Technology

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  Agco further slows tractor production in ‘aggressive’ move to combat declining demand

  The tractor maker is looking to reduce dealer inventory levels as large agriculture equipment sales continue to fall.

  Technology

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  Trump White House likely to abandon OSHA heat safety rule

  The new administration will probably let the standard die, experts say, but some other form of guidance could emerge instead.

  Crops

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  USDA cuts soybean production outlook. Will it help prices?

  The department is no longer expecting harvest to break new records, but surpluses will still pressure farm profits.

  Crops

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  Farmer confidence in the economy unexpectedly rebounds, surprising ag economists

  Ahead of the election, producers expressed more optimism about their financial prospects in 2025 even as forecasts predict a decline in farm income.

  Crops

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  Column

  Agtech Seedlings: Deere partners with Mississippi State on farm automation

  Also in this week's farm technology news: A large-scale larvae farm opens in Canada and Nature’s Miracle is set to enter the agricultural electric vehicle market.

  Crops

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  What a second Trump trade war would mean for farmers

  The president-elect has threatened 60% tariffs on goods from China at a time when U.S. producers are already struggling with slowing exports and falling prices.

  Crops

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  Celebrity-backed indoor farming company Bowery closes, lays off workers

  The New York City-based company that once attracted funding from Natalie Portman and Justin Timberlake is the latest greenhouse grower to suffer from rising costs and a lack of venture capital funds.

  Crops

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  Fed cuts rate by quarter point, sees ‘balanced’ risks to inflation, jobs

  The reduction in borrowing costs comes just two days after Donald Trump won a second term as president, heralding likely economic policy shifts that may fuel inflation.

  Regulations

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  Lifeway Foods rejects Danone’s $283M ‘opportunistic’ takeover offer

  The keifer maker said its board determined that the “proposal substantially undervalues” the company and was not in the best interest of its shareholders.

  Dairy

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  California voters reject ban on ‘factory farming’

  A proposal to phase out large livestock operations in a major agricultural county failed.

  Meat

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