Agtech seedlings: Defense contractor Tesseract retools military drones for US farms

Also in this week's farm technology news: Tyson to explore potential partnerships with five supply chain startups, and Farmblox raises $2.5 million to scale in-field sensors.

By Agriculture Dive staff • July 26, 2024

Deere lays off salaried workers as sales tank

More cuts are coming after the tractor giant reduced its workforce by 1,800 people earlier this year amid declines in farmer income and demand.

By Nathan Owens • July 26, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

As the sector anxiously awaits a farm bill, producers are expected to take advantage of new opportunities in renewable energy and regenerative agriculture.

By Agriculture Dive staff

Nestlé develops technology to reduce fat in dairy ingredients

The food and beverage giant said the process cuts fat in milk powder by up to 60% without compromising on quality, taste and texture.

By Christopher Doering • July 24, 2024

Monarch raises landmark $133M for self-driving electric tractors

The deal marks a fundraising record for ag robotics and speaks to the strength of venture interest in precision agriculture despite a wider downturn in investment.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 23, 2024

Investment ‘critical’ for US compost facilities as industry shows little growth since 2018

At most, 4% of the nation’s 66 million tons of wasted food annually is being composted today, according to research from the Composting Consortium.

By Jacob Wallace • July 22, 2024

CF pilots sustainable fertilizer for low-carbon ethanol

Lowering fertilizer emissions will be key for farmers to access new tax credits within in the emerging biofuels market.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 22, 2024

Deere rolls back diversity initiatives after social media backlash

The farm machinery giant is downsizing its DEI policies weeks after retailer Tractor Supply made a similar move.

By Nathan Owens • July 19, 2024

Agtech seedlings: PepsiCo teams with fertilizer maker to cut food emissions in Europe

Also in this week’s farm technology news: Cargill invests $1 million to research methane reduction in cattle, and Syngenta partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate biologicals development.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 19, 2024

Agtech retailers team to fight potential China drone ban

As Congress takes aim at manufacturer DJI, a new lobbying group is advocating for cybersecurity standards in agricultural equipment while ensuring access to drone technology.

By Sarah Zimmerman • July 17, 2024

Deere lays off 345 more workers in Iowa

The tractor giant has cut more than 1,500 employees at factories across two Midwest states over the past year in response to slowing equipment demand.

By Nathan Owens • July 15, 2024

Dust control fans designed for your agricultural facility

SonicAire offers dust control in agricultural facilities using compliance-guaranteed technology.

July 15, 2024

Agtech seedlings: Farm mapping tool predicts effects of climate change

Also in this week’s farm technology news: A study shows sunflowers can clean contaminated farmland, and Ohalo’s “Boosted Breeding” system promise major increases in crop productivity.

By Leah Borts-Kuperman • July 12, 2024

A TikTok ban could hurt farm groups’ efforts to reach Gen Z

Meat and dairy industries have poured millions of dollars into promotional campaigns to reach younger audiences.

By Nathan Owens • July 11, 2024

Microsoft partners with agricultural tech company for carbon removal

The tech giant will purchase 40,000 soil-based carbon credits from Indigo Ag, a transaction the sustainable agriculture company called a “major milestone.”

By Zoya Mirza • July 1, 2024

Maine feels the heat after proposing to raise solar farming fees

As more farmers show interest in leasing land to solar developers, the state is struggling to strike a balance between delivering on climate goals and building up local food production.

By Leah Borts-Kuperman • July 1, 2024

Deere names TikTok influencer first ‘chief tractor officer’

Rex Curtiss will be the face of the 185-year-old brand's social media as the agricultural equipment giant looks to court the next generation of farmers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • June 28, 2024

Agtech Seedlings: Bayer teams with biotech firm on hybrid potato seeds

Also in this week’s farm technology news: Three farms test out Agrology’s regenerative technology and Perdue researchers develop tiny flags to detect fecal matter in produce.

By Agriculture Dive staff • June 28, 2024

Solugen receives $213M federal loan for biochemical facility near ADM corn plant

The so-called “Bioforge” will turn sugar substrate from crops into sustainable materials for use in agriculture, packaging and other sectors.

By Joelle Anselmo • June 28, 2024

Agco plans significant layoffs, citing ‘weakening demand’

The farm equipment maker expects to cut up to 6% of its salaried workforce just days after disclosing some production will move to Mexico.

By Nathan Owens • June 27, 2024

Farm equipment giant CNH teams with AI startup on autonomous tractors

The partnership with Bluewhite gives New Holland dealers rights to sell, distribute and service retrofit kits for the brand’s tractors in the Western U.S.

By Nathan Owens • June 26, 2024

Hershey looks to prioritize sustainable cocoa sourcing

The chocolate maker says it’s committed to enhancing its 100% independently verified cocoa supply chain by striving for full sourcing visibility.

By Elizabeth Flood • June 24, 2024

Deere to pay $1.1M over racial discrimination allegations

The company was accused of discriminating against 277 Black and Hispanic job applicants at facilities in Illinois and Iowa.

By Kate Magill • June 21, 2024

Agtech Seedlings: Indigo Ag seals largest carbon credit deal with Microsoft | Cargill plans Atlanta tech hub

Also in this week’s farm technology news: Syngenta Seeds teams with an AI firm to accelerate corn and soy trait development.

By Nathan Owens • June 21, 2024

Walmart pilots crop monitoring tech for informed produce purchasing

The retailer is partnering with agtech firm Agritask to get real-time information from blackberry and cherry farms.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 20, 2024

Australia-based Farmbot raises $4.6M for US expansion

The agtech startup plans to use funding to scale and develop its water monitoring tools for livestock producers.

By Nathan Owens • June 17, 2024