Operations
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US to test national milk supply amid bird flu concerns
The federal order allows the USDA to test samples of unpasteurized milk from all farms, transporters and facilities as officials look to contain an expanding outbreak.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Smithfield to sell 150K hogs in deal with Murphy Family Ventures
The agreement re-establishes the contract grower as an independent producer while further reducing the pork giant's livestock footprint.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 6, 2024 -
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 -
Deere lays off more workers at Iowa tractor plant
The cuts add to the thousands of jobs eliminated this year as the equipment maker reigns in production to offset a slowdown in demand.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 5, 2024 -
Tyson closes 3 meat plants, lays off 1K workers
The food giant plans to shutter its 328,000-square-foot facility in Emporia, Kansas, as well as two cheesesteak factories in Philadelphia.
By Nathan Owens • Dec. 4, 2024 -
What to do if immigration agents come to your jobsite
The incoming Trump administration has promised to step up workplace raids. Here’s how to prepare.
By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 4, 2024 -
Cargill cuts 5% of global workforce after profits decline
The move, which will affect approximately 8,000 jobs, comes as the world's largest private company plans to streamline operations in the face of lower crop prices and challenges in beef.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 4, 2024 -
US agriculture has the potential to be greenhouse gas negative. Here’s how.
The biggest opportunity to reduce emissions is also one of the easiest for farmers, according to a new study.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Smithfield owner WH Group asks shareholders to approve US spinoff
The Chinese pork producer's proposal to list shares comes amid growing scrutiny in Washington around China's influence over American agriculture.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 2, 2024 -
How RFK Jr could shake up the food industry
Trump's health secretary pick is expected to work to eliminate processed foods from school lunches and push for the removal of dyes from cereals and other items.
By David Silverberg • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Record agriculture trade deficit expected to keep growing
The gap between farm imports and exports is expected to surpass $45 billion in fiscal year 2025, according to an updated USDA outlook.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Koch Foods invests over $145M to expand and ‘rehab’ Mississippi chicken plant
Tyson and other competitors have leaned into automating their operations to increase output and productivity.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Bird flu found in raw milk sold at California grocery store
No illnesses have been reported and the farm has issued a voluntary recall. The state will increase testing of unpasteurized dairy following the discovery.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Trump calls for 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico
Farmers have worked to increase exports to both countries in recent years, and new duties could upend those gains.
By Philip Neuffer , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 26, 2024 -
Instacart launching SNAP eligibility screener
The company says it’s the first online grocery platform to roll out this kind of tool, which lets shoppers see if they qualify for SNAP benefits and directs them to state resources.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 25, 2024 -
Deere finishes 2024 stronger than expected with help of new products
Reduced production and inventories helped shore up costs, which opened up reinvestment opportunities across the company.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Column
Agtech seedlings: Indigo Ag, Truterra partner to get more farmers enrolled in sustainability programs
Also in this week's farm technology news: Almanac buys assets of shuttered startup Gro Intelligence, and Bayer teams with Orbia Netafim to develop a digital platform for fruit and vegetable growers.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Trump’s tariff plan is likely to raise grocery prices, economists say
U.S. reliance on food and beverage imports has grown over the years and could be significantly exposed to new duties under the president-elect’s plan.
By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 21, 2024 -
USDA to give specialty crop growers $2B to expand markets, combat natural disasters
The funding will help vegetable and fruit farmers defray transportation costs and access commercial storage facilities in the wake of extreme weather events.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
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.
By Chris Casey • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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."
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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.
By Nathan Owens • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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.
By Kate Tornone • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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.
By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 14, 2024