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

Deere must face ‘right-to-repair’ lawsuits, court rules

A federal judge denied the tractor maker’s motion to dismiss claims that it “monopolizes” repair services to pad profits.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 29, 2023

Food system transformation on the menu at COP28

Agriculture will be central to climate talks for the first time as the UN pushes nations to tackle farming's toll on the environment.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 29, 2023

Nestlé, Kraft prevail in egg producer price-fixing case

An Illinois federal jury found Cal-Maine and other producers liable for limiting supply between 2004 and 2008 in an effort to drive up costs.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 29, 2023

Cargill accelerates efforts to end deforestation in South America as EU regulations loom

One of the world's largest commodities traders is moving up its timeline to eliminate land use conversion from supply chains in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 28, 2023

Biden admin convenes supply chain council, announces $196M investment in agriculture

The White House is doubling down on efforts to strengthen logistics infrastructure and expand domestic market opportunities for farmers.

By Edwin Lopez • Nov. 27, 2023

Cultivated meat labeling puzzle could bring legal headaches

Though regulators came to a consensus on what to call the namesake product in 2022, continuing debates over package labeling rules could still create headwinds for players in the space.

By Elizabeth Flood • Nov. 27, 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

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

Biden signs funding package to avert shutdown, extend farm bill

Farm groups say that lawmakers will still need to work quickly as they are "running out of time" to write the long-awaited agriculture spending bill.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 17, 2023

Farm bill extension heads to Biden’s desk

The Senate approved a stopgap funding measure that averts a partial government shutdown and funds the USDA through Jan. 19.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 16, 2023

JBS delays plan for US listing after request for investor vote

The world’s largest meat company agreed to redo paperwork to comply with a shareholder request as it faces market challenges in North America.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 15, 2023

Agriculture leaders agree to one-year farm bill extension

Funding for critical agricultural programs would continue until September 2024 under House Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to avert a government shutdown.  

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 13, 2023

Koch Foods agrees to end ‘unfair’ exit fees for poultry farmers in DOJ settlement

Penalties often costing tens of thousands of dollars were used to prevent chicken growers from working with competitors, according to the Justice Department. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 13, 2023

USDA takes action to ‘level playing field’ for poultry farmers

The agency is strengthening contract disclosure requirements for growers, among other steps, to mitigate abusive practices across the agriculture industry.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 9, 2023

US reduces tariffs on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco

Farmers say the duties contributed to shortages and price increases over the past few years.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 8, 2023

Federal watchdog urges sugar policy reform to lower prices

Current policies benefit farmers at the expense of consumers, according to a recent GAO report.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 7, 2023

Environmental groups blast USDA for extending climate funding to dairy digesters

An industry push to turn manure into biofuel fails to address climate change and encourages the proliferation of "factory farms," according to a letter signed by nearly 200 organizations.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 2, 2023

Bayer, Danone join over 130 companies to urge decarbonization ahead of COP28

The coalition, which also includes companies like Nestlé and eBay and represents nearly $1 trillion in annual revenue, is asking policymakers to end reliance on fossil fuels through regulations and clean-energy investments.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 1, 2023

Republicans urge new House speaker to pass farm bill

More than 60 GOP members signed a letter arguing the agriculture spending package is a "critical agenda item."

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 31, 2023

California poultry processors face preliminary injunction for violating child labor laws

Children were found working long hours on production lines at Exclusive Poultry and two other companies.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 31, 2023

Halloween candy prices haunted by higher sugar, cocoa costs

Extreme weather has led to global shortages, but that doesn't entirely explain inflation for sweets in the U.S., a Wells Fargo analyst said.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 31, 2023

Food insecurity keeps retailers off balance

A new USDA study found the percentage of food-insecure households is on the rise, while University of Missouri research forecasts federal spending on SNAP will decline in 2024.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 30, 2023

Sanderson Farms cleared in blockbuster price-fixing case

A unanimous jury decision exonerated the chicken company in one of the largest antitrust cases involving the poultry industry.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 27, 2023