The Latest

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  Farmers sound alarm on deteriorating income

  Producers, lenders and agricultural experts urged Congress to pass a new farm bill to “head off the economic hemorrhaging.”

  Crops

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  Cal-Maine eyes egg expansion as bird flu weighs on earnings

  The largest U.S. producer is on an acquisition spree as it predicts more consumers will turn to eggs as an affordable source of protein.

  Meat

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  Nestlé develops technology to reduce fat in dairy ingredients

  The food and beverage giant said the process cuts fat in milk powder by up to 60% without compromising on quality, taste and texture.

  Dairy

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  Sixth human case of bird flu in Colorado confirmed

  A seventh case is pending confirmation after a worker was exposed to infected chickens at a separate farm in the state.

  Meat

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  Monarch raises landmark $133M for self-driving electric tractors

  The deal marks a fundraising record for ag robotics and speaks to the strength of venture interest in precision agriculture despite a wider downturn in investment.

  Crops

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  Snacking propels annual dairy sales to $76B: CoBank

  Consumer interest in cheese, yogurt and other refrigerated dairy items has grown as the shoppers become more averse to processed foods.

  Dairy

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  Farms brace for grasshopper invasion

  Western states are allocating millions of dollars to mitigate pest-related crop losses, which have been a serious problem as water restrictions increase.

  Crops

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  CF pilots sustainable fertilizer for low-carbon ethanol

  Lowering fertilizer emissions will be key for farmers to access new tax credits within in the emerging biofuels market.

  Crops

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  Investment ‘critical’ for US compost facilities as industry shows little growth since 2018

  At most, 4% of the nation’s 66 million tons of wasted food annually is being composted today, according to research from the Composting Consortium.

  Technology

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  Deere rolls back diversity initiatives after social media backlash

  The farm machinery giant is downsizing its DEI policies weeks after retailer Tractor Supply made a similar move.

  Technology

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  Column

  Agtech seedlings: PepsiCo teams with fertilizer maker to cut food emissions in Europe

  Also in this week’s farm technology news: Cargill invests $1 million to research methane reduction in cattle, and Syngenta partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate biologicals development.

  Crops

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  Indiana port to build Chicago sea cargo container terminal

  Local officials have received approval to create Lake Michigan’s first sea terminal that would serve industries such as manufacturing and agriculture.

  Crops

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  US beef production in decline despite heavier cows

  Extra time in the feedlots has increased prices and discouraged meatpackers from raising slaughter rates.

  Meat

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  Danone, Nestlé join over 130 companies in call to reverse biodiversity loss ahead of COP16

  A coalition of businesses across various industries are pressing world leaders to take action on an issue often overlooked by corporate sustainability plans.

  Sustainability

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  Competing farm bills address anaerobic digestion, food waste

  The House and Senate versions of the spending package, which remain far from reconciliation, contain changes to programs that have benefited the waste and recycling industries.

  Sustainability

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  Agtech retailers team to fight potential China drone ban

  As Congress takes aim at manufacturer DJI, a new lobbying group is advocating for cybersecurity standards in agricultural equipment while ensuring access to drone technology.

  Technology

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  USDA invests $110M to expand independent meat and poultry processing

  The funding adds to the hundreds of millions of dollars being offered to small producers as part of a Biden administration plan to boost competition.

  Meat

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  Carhartt grows sustainable cotton sourcing efforts

  The workwear brand is tapping the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Better Cotton to help farmers use water more efficiently, reduce the use of harmful chemicals and better care for natural habitats.

  Crops

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  US confirms 4 poultry workers infected with bird flu at Colorado farm

  As the outbreak intensifies across the country, Oklahoma became the 13th state to report a case linked to infected dairy cattle.

  Operations

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  China’s WH Group weighs Smithfield listing in US

  The plan to take the pork producer public could come under considerable scrutiny from Congress as lawmakers step up action over foreign influence in agriculture.

  Meat

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  Family ranch becomes first turkey brand to be Regenefied certified

  Diestel Family Ranch sourced more than 650 tons of specialty feed and planted more than two miles of trees, grasses and shrubbery to qualify for the certification.

  Meat

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  Deere lays off 345 more workers in Iowa

  The tractor giant has cut more than 1,500 employees at factories across two Midwest states over the past year in response to slowing equipment demand.

  Technology

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  China buys first US soybeans of 2024 crop season

  The slow start to the marketing season comes as the world's top importer accelerates purchases of cheaper commodities from South America.

  Crops

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  Canada rail workers keep window open for strike

  Agricultural groups warn that any labor action would bring “devastating consequences” to the North American economy. 

  Regulations

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  Deep Dive

  Tractor Supply retreats on DEI after ‘anti-woke’ backlash. Now the real fallout begins.

  The retailer has ignited an online firestorm after dropping most corporate diversity and climate efforts, which could alienate some customers, employees and investors.

  Operations

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