Operations

  • Farm workers are seen in an aerial shot harvesting zucchini
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    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 • Nov. 20, 2024
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    Liliboas via Getty Images
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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.

    By Chris Casey • Nov. 18, 2024
  • 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
  • Two men stand in front of a tractor to talk.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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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."

    By • Nov. 18, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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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.

    By • Nov. 18, 2024
  • The Bayer logo is cleaned
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    Courtesy of Bayer
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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.

    By • Nov. 15, 2024
  • A building with the Smithfield logo is seen
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    The image by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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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.

    By • Nov. 15, 2024
  • Thomas Homan speaks on stage.
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    Leon Neal / Staff via Getty Images
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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.

    By Kate Tornone • Nov. 15, 2024
  • A large greenhouse facility is seen
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    Courtesy of Cox Farms
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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.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • A Cargill sign is seen at the entrance of a parking lot where cars sit.
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    Spencer Tirey via Getty Images
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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.

    By Ryan Golden • Nov. 14, 2024
  • Header image for "Tyson CFO Arrested, Reviving Critics’ Concerns Over Inexperience, Conflict of Interest"
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    CFO Editorial Staff
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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.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • bayer corporate sign logo
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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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.

    By • Nov. 13, 2024
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks during a news conference in October 2022.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty via Getty Images
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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. 

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2024
  • Cabbage seedlings are seen in the foreground in a field with farmworkers in the background.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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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.

    By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 11, 2024
  • A farmer in a baseball cap walks alongside a plowed field. In the distance, a tractor is seen.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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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.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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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.

    By Jim Tyson • Nov. 8, 2024
  • Mississippi State University Assistant Professor Hussein Gharakhani assesses the performance of an autonomous agricultural robot in the field.
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    Courtesy of Mississippi State University
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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.

    By • Nov. 8, 2024
  • A look at greens at one of Bowery Farming's indoor farms.
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    Courtesy of Bowery Farming
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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.

    By • Nov. 7, 2024
  • lifeway kefir
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    Courtesy of Lifeway Foods, Inc.
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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.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 7, 2024
  • Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Johnny Mercer Theatre on September 24, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    4 employment actions to expect under a second Trump presidency

    Employers are likely to see immigration raids, agency chair replacements and a slowing in regulatory activity, experts at Littler predicted.

    By Emilie Shumway • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Chickens are in cages at an egg farm.
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    Rak Kara via Getty Images
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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.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Snacking brands made by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division on a grocery store shelf in Washington, D.C.
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    Christopher Doering/Agriculture Dive
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    Food and beverage M&A activity appears to be picking up, CoBank says

    Better-for-you snacking and plant-based meat alternatives could be attractive for dealmaking, the bank cooperative noted.

    By Christopher Doering • Nov. 5, 2024
  • The ADM logo is seen on the company's headquarters building.
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    Courtesy of ADM
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    ADM reports more accounting errors, cancels earnings call

    The grain trading giant said it will issue financial restatements as it struggles to move past an accounting scandal that led to the resignation of its CFO.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • A herbicide sprayer is seen on a soybean field
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    simazoran via Getty Images
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    EPA urged to ban weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease

    U.S. lawmakers are calling for the agency to prohibit the toxic herbicide, which has grown in use over the past few years.

    By • Nov. 5, 2024
  • A wave violently crashes onto shore
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Pilgrim’s Pride reports $8M in Helene losses

    Along with production setbacks, CEO Fabio Sandri said farm communities were “severely impacted,” citing electrical issues and significant housing damages.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • Almonds are seen growing on trees
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    Courtesy of Kind Snacks
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    Campbell’s and Kind receive USDA support to advance regenerative agriculture for key ingredients

    The soup giant secured $3.4 million in funding for tomato growers in California and Kind Snacks announced milestones for sustainable almond farming.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024