Meat

  • Two people in safety suits kneel in front of a machine with tubes
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    Courtesy of Windfall Bio
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Amazon-backed Windfall Bio hits commercial milestone for methane-eating microbes

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Syngenta to speed up biostimulant development with AI, and Pilgrim's Pride expands its renewable gas efforts at a South Carolina plant.

    By • Jan. 17, 2025
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    Courtesy of C.H. Guenther & Son
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    Hormel Foods CEO to retire

    The departure of James Snee, who took over the top post in 2016, is the third leader from a major food company to announce they are leaving since December.

    By Christopher Doering • Jan. 17, 2025
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

    Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

    By Agriculture Dive staff
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    USDA withdraws rule defining unfair practices in meat markets

    The regulation would have paved the way for increased enforcement against anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry.

    By • Jan. 16, 2025
  • People working at a chicken factory.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    US poultry, swine workers face increased health risks, studies show

    The USDA-backed research comes as meat producers push to increase factory line speeds in processing facilities, which critics say compounds the likelihood of injury.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle invests to reduce methane emissions from cows

    The restaurant chain's venture fund is also backing efforts to produce plant-based meat from duckweed.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • The outside of a factory is seen. A sign with "JBS" in red letters is plastered on the front.
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    Chet Strange via Getty Images
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    JBS will pay $4M to counter illegal child labor practices

    A DOL official praised the remedial steps proposed by the world’s largest meat processor as “creative and forward-thinking.”

    By Emilie Shumway • Jan. 15, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Seafood company not on the hook for overtime in COVID lockdown case, court rules

    The case highlights the complexities involved with determining compensability under the Fair Labor Standards Act, particularly when workers are kept on campus.

    By Ryan Golden • Jan. 14, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Higher egg prices boost Cal Maine earnings

    Bird flu outbreaks have created supply shocks at the grocery store, with some retailers limiting consumer purchases.

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • Dockworkers hold picket signs as they strike in front of a port.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    East Coast port strike averted after tentative deal reached

    The agreement comes a week before a previous agreement was set to expire, allaying concerns of supply chain disruptions at major shipping hubs.

    By Alejandra Carranza • Jan. 9, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    5 agriculture trends to watch in 2025

    It could be a tumultuous year for farmers with experts predicting low commodity prices, extreme weather events and changes in food policy to reshape industry priorities.

    By , • Jan. 8, 2025
  • A group of dockworkers gather outside an ocean terminal.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Shippers urge deal to avert East Coast port strike as deadline looms

    Worker contracts will expire again on Jan. 15, prompting fears of supply chain disruption acorss industries including agriculture.

    By Alejandra Carranza , Philip Neuffer • Jan. 8, 2025
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    Wolterk via Getty Images
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    Smithfield Foods files for public offering on US stock exchange

    The proposed listing comes amid pricing pressures in the pork industry and mounting public scrutiny over the agriculture industry's ties to China.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • Hogs raised on an Illinois farm.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Smithfield sells hogs to supplier HD3 Farms

    The move offloads 28,000 pigs to newly established company VisionAg Hog Production, which will operate as an independent producer.

    By • Jan. 3, 2025
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    Kent Nishimura via Getty Images
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    Farm bill extended in last minute funding deal: What to know

    The final agreement is set to provide farmers with $10 billion in one-time economic payments to offset income losses.

    By • Dec. 21, 2024
  • Dockworkers strike outside an ocean container port.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Will there be another East Coast port strike in January? Experts weigh in.

    Industry observers have differing views on the likelihood of a strike, which would add to the logistics hurdles shippers are already facing.

    By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 20, 2024
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    The biggest agriculture layoffs in 2024

    Rising costs and weak demand forced Deere, Tyson and others to make significant job cuts to better position themselves for the future.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
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    Courtesy of The U.S. Department of Agriculture
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    USDA allocates $165M to protect livestock from New World screwworm

    The U.S. paused cattle imports from Mexico as the flesh-eating insect that has ravaged livestock in South America moves north.

    By • Dec. 19, 2024
  • The back of a woman is seen as she looks at the meat section at a grocery store
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    USDA to strengthen oversight of meat plants after listeria recalls

    The Food Safety and Inspection Service said it will prioritize in-depth food safety reviews at ready-to-eat meat and poultry facilities, as well as other steps to protect public health.

    By • Dec. 18, 2024
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Sausage maker cited by OSHA three years in a row

    Dean Sausage Co.'s latest safety and hazard violations at its Alabama meat processing facility led to $103,000 in fines.

    By Joelle Anselmo • Dec. 18, 2024
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Another farm bill extension is inevitable. But can farmers still get economic relief?

    House Republicans proposed $10 billion in one-time payments to offset financial losses in the agricultural sector.

    By • Updated Dec. 18, 2024
  • Cans of jackfruit are displayed on a shelf
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Jackfruit rises in popularity as plant-based meat alternative

    The hefty, meaty fruit native to South Asia is gaining traction among consumers and CPGs. 

    By Jesse Klein • Dec. 17, 2024
  • Eggs are seen prior to being sorted by a Cheggy machine
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    Courtesy of streamcommunications
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: First US egg producer adopts technology to avoid killing male chicks

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Gene-edited salmon company AquaBounty shuts down, and Syngenta's partnership with Enko reaches a milestone in discovering sustainable weed control.

    By • Dec. 13, 2024
  • A farmer with his back to the camera is seen standing in a field
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    Mary Salen via Getty Images
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    Farm conservation funding hit a record high in 2024. A majority of farmers still got nothing.

    Close to two-thirds of applicants for the USDA’s flagship climate programs were rejected despite increased investment from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • A wheat field is seen from above, with tractors combing the rows
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    Courtesy of Ahold Delhaize USA
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    Here are the farm expenses that increased the most in 2024

    While prices of feed, fertilizer and pesticides are expected to decline, farmers are forecast to spend more on labor and taxes.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
  • Butterball turkeys at grocery store
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Butterball to shutter Arkansas turkey plant, lay off 180 workers

    The closure adds to a wave of layoffs in the agriculture industry as weaker sales continue to hurt profits across the sector.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024