Operations

  • 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
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline➔
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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
  • 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
  • A photograph of a brick building with a red sign and white letters that says Chipotle.
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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
  • CHS processes grains and oilseeds for customers.
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    Courtesy of CHS, Inc.
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    CHS leans into supply chain investments as profits tank

    The agribusiness giant, which saw net income fall by more than half in the first quarter, is announcing new products, shipping terminals and agronomy services to turn around market declines. 

    By • Jan. 14, 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
  • Corn is seen with an ethanol plant in the background.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    USDA invests $180M in biofuels and clean energy projects

    The Biden administration has doled out $3.3 billion to expand solar, wind and biofuels infrastructure across rural America.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
  • A man in a tractor looks at a grain bin being filled with corn
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    US corn exports off to strong start

    First quarter sales reached the highest level in roughly six years thanks to plentiful supply, competitive pricing and an uncharacteristically weak harvest from main competitor Brazil.

    By • Jan. 13, 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
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    Mediterranean via Getty Images
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    Louis Dreyfus buys BASF’s food and health ingredients business

    The food processor seeks to dominate the plant-based space while chemical producer BASF shifts its focus to other areas.

    By Chris Casey • Jan. 10, 2025
  • A farmer and his son walk toward a tractor with their backs to the camera.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Will $10B in economic payments offset farm income losses?

    Researchers are still projecting negative returns for grain producers even after assistance from Washington, highlighting the extent of the downturn in the agricultural industry.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • A Deere tractor is seen running without a person in the driver's seat
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    Courtesy of Deere & Co.
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    Deere lays off 75 workers at Iowa tractor plant

    The job cuts are some of the first in 2025 after the company reduced its workforce by the thousands last year in response to slowing demand.

    By • 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
  • Aerial view of oranges being harvested in Florida
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Tropicana orange supplier Alico to exit citrus business

    The company concluded that "growing citrus is no longer economically viable for us in Florida," with disease and hurricanes reducing production by 73%.

    By • Jan. 8, 2025
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    hauged via Getty Images
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    Farmland values increase despite income declines

    Farmers National Company said its agricultural listings are down 25% compared to recent years, showing strong demand for available farmland.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A building with the Smithfield logo is seen
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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
  • Post Holdings, Bob Evans
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    Christopher Doering/Agriculture Dive
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    Post Holdings to buy potato company for undisclosed amount

    The purchase of Potato Products of Idaho complements the CPG company’s existing presence in spuds through foodservice and branded items such as Bob Evans sides and Simply Potatoes.

    By Christopher Doering • Jan. 6, 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
  • The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen at night
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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
  • Towers of lettuce are seen in a white room
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    Courtesy of Plenty
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Plenty closes flagship indoor lettuce farm in California

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Growers Edge acquires fintech to help lenders better assess climate risks on farms, and Sound Agriculture raises $25 million for sustainable fertilizer solutions.

    By • Dec. 20, 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
  • John Deere farm equipment is seen
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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 Straus Family Creamery
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    California declares state of emergency over bird flu

    The declaration will provide additional funding to support response efforts after 641 dairies had cows that tested positive for the virus.

    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