Wisconsin cheese farmers share 2024 food trends

Cooking and consuming food at home, adventurous flavors and “mindful indulgence” will drive consumer behavior, according to producers from the major dairy state.

By Chris Casey • Dec. 18, 2023

DOL shifts to a per-violation penalty for certain child labor infractions

The move is yet another enforcement change in a year where federal regulators levied high-profile penalties against child labor law violators in meatpacking and other industries.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 15, 2023

Explore the 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

Chipotle invests in regenerative farming robots

The restaurant chain is looking to reduce its dependence on conventional fertilizer with a fleet of autonomous, weed-cutting bots.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 14, 2023

‘We need everyone on this journey’: How PepsiCo is reducing water use in its supply chain

The beverage giant is focused operational efficiencies and working with farmers, according to Pepsi’s senior director overseeing water strategy.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 13, 2023

Bird flu hits Cal-Maine, Post Holdings

The rapid spread of avian influenza is creating production complications for some of the nation's biggest food companies.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 13, 2023

Court approves Cargill’s $2.4M settlement of ransomware outage wage claims

Employees alleged that the Kronos Private Cloud cyberattack resulted in unpaid wages and overtime, among other damages.

By Ryan Golden • Dec. 12, 2023

Smithfield ends grower contracts with 26 hog farms in Utah

The action builds on the pork company’s cost-cutting efforts during one of the worst market environments for hog farmers on record.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 12, 2023

Why Hormel is investing $200M in its supply chain

The three-year strategy to modernize operations includes a plan to overhaul the CPG's Barron, Wisconsin plant to better support brands.

By Alejandra Carranza • Dec. 11, 2023

BASF to run agricultural unit as separate business

The European multinational company is granting more autonomy for select businesses to free up cash flow and improve profitability, but there are no plans to sell them.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 8, 2023

Darigold CEO steps down

Board Chairman Allan Huttema will take over as interim chief executive as the dairy co-op is in the midst of a company-wide transformation to become a global ingredients provider.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 5, 2023

Tyson’s insect bet will spur further adoption in the space, IFT member says

Protein producers adopting bugs for use in animal feed provides a lower barrier for entry, potentially making it easier to introduce insects into consumer diets, experts say.

By Chris Casey • Dec. 5, 2023

Generate Upcycle threatens to close anaerobic digester over Michigan permitting changes

The company may shutter its 150,000-ton-per-year Fremont Regional Digester this month if it’s required to obtain a groundwater permit for its liquid digestate, which has been marketed as a fertilizer.

By Jacob Wallace • Dec. 4, 2023

Farm income to fall 17% from last year’s record highs

With commodity prices declining and expenses rising, the USDA expects the agriculture sector to see significant profit declines in 2023. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 1, 2023

Danone partners on $200M+ accelerator to reduce methane

The yogurt producer is the first corporate sponsor of the Global Methane Hub’s program, which will fund research for solutions that address livestock's effect on emissions.

By Chris Casey • Dec. 1, 2023

Turkey drags down Hormel earnings amid inflation, bird flu headwinds

In the company’s earnings call, CEO Jim Snee signaled caution ahead of the new year, projecting a decline in sales as consumers cut back on spending.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 30, 2023

USDA extends trial for increased line speeds at pork plants

The agency’s “time-limited trial” will continue to give experts enough time to design a study to evaluate the impact of faster operations on worker safety.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 30, 2023

Tyson debuts $300M highly automated chicken plant

The Virginia facility is one of the food giant's most technologically advanced, and is expected to churn out 4 million pounds of protein a week.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 30, 2023

Danone’s Horizon Organic suspends use of milk from Texas farm at center of PETA report

The animal rights group released images showing animal suffering and deaths at the operation near Dallas. It urged the USDA to open an investigation.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 22, 2023

How Fresh Del Monte uses its farms to test regenerative agriculture efforts

The produce giant is stepping up to address gaps in sustainability for tropical fruits by experimenting with conservation efforts on company-owned farms.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 22, 2023

USDA to update industry on pork line speed trial ahead of looming deadline

The food inspection agency is facing pressure to create a more permanent solution or file an extension.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 21, 2023

Farm bill extension continues prohibition on EBT processing fees for SNAP purchases

The National Grocers Association praised the continued pause on the fees even as it advocates for a permanent end to them.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 20, 2023

Perdue drives awareness of antibiotic-free claim with first snack product

Chix Mix is its latest salvo in the messaging war against competitor Tyson, which announced it would remove the label from its poultry products this year.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 20, 2023

CNH Industrial begins job cuts as weak market factors loom

The agricultural machinery company is trimming workforce costs after a “disappointing quarter” affected by low demand for tractors and combines, the CEO said.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 17, 2023

Nutrien partners with agtech startup on a more sustainable fertilizer

CoteX and the manufacturing giant will explore market opportunities for a controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer that minimizes environmental impact, yet is suitable for large acreage crops.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 17, 2023

Schumer calls for USDA investigation into nationwide milk carton shortage

The New York senator is calling for help “to find packaging alternatives” and resolve the issue. Dairies point to Pactiv Evergreen as the source of the supply chain snarl, although no origin point has been positively confirmed.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 16, 2023