The Latest

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  Deep Dive

  Is plant-based meat more sustainable? Experts question the data

  Researchers have struggled to replicate life-cycle assessments commissioned from companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, and are calling for more transparency.

  Meat

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  Bird flu remnants found in pasteurized milk: FDA

  The federal agency still considers the commercial milk supply safe. The results of more studies are said to be released in the “next few days to weeks."

  Dairy

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  ADM’s suspended CFO to resign amid accounting scandal

  Vikram Luthar — who was placed on a forced leave in January — will assist the company and be paid his base salary until his resignation is effective on Sept. 30.

  Crops

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  Cotton used by H&M and Zara linked to illegal deforestation: report

  A year-long investigation by nonprofit Earthsight found that fiber certified by ethical supply chain organization Better Cotton was grown on "stolen" and "deforested" land in Brazil.

  Crops

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  CHS buys 8 grain facilities from Cargill

  The agricultural cooperative said the deal will help its farmers better compete in the global marketplace.

  Crops

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  Mars invests in food-focused startups to accelerate sustainability

  The CPG giant's partnership with Unreasonable Group will work with 15 growth-stage companies developing innovations to advance precision agriculture and reduce cattle emissions.

  Technology

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  Defend the flock: Bird flu outbreak prompts calls for biosecurity assessments on chicken farms

  As avian influenza spreads to an increasing number of species, experts worry it could create even more transmission pathways for the virus to infiltrate commercial poultry operations.

  Meat

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  Cattle rancher sues utilities firms for alleged role in devastating Texas wildfires

  A class action suit seeks to "recover the billions of dollars in losses" for farmers impacted by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in state history.

  Meat

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  SBTi walks back carbon offset policy changes after staff backlash

  The Science Based Targets initiative backtracked on expanding the use of environmental offsets in corporate scope 3 plans after staff called for the CEO’s resignation.

  Sustainability

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  Agtech Seedlings: BioLumic laser-focused on lowering cattle emissions; Edible Garden upbeat about Q1

  Also in this week’s farm technology news: a new fertilizer tool developed by university scientists could save farmers millions of dollars annually.

  Crops

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  General Mills plans to cut dairy emissions 40% by end of decade

  The cereal giant is more than halfway to its goal of enrolling 1 million acres in its regenerative agriculture plan, according to its latest corporate sustainability report.

  Crops

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  Industry groups urge USDA to reverse cancellation of critical livestock reporting

  The department also ended a cotton survey as well as county-level crop reports and estimates, citing budgetary constraints.

  Crops

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  Opinion

  A secret about eggs

  The industry kills millions of male chicks each year because they don’t lay eggs. Here’s why and how we should end this grisly practice as some European countries already have, writes Alex Crisp.

  Updated April 22, 2024

  Dairy

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  Cargill partners with Purina to expand regenerative agriculture in pet food

  The collaboration aims to improve the Nestlé division’s grain supply chain and Cargill’s work with farmers to implement eco-friendly practices.

  Crops

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  Del Monte Foods reports emissions reduction, sets net-zero goal for 2050

  The food producer and distributor has expanded regenerative agriculture practices and lowered its fertilizer use through advancements in seed breeding.

  Crops

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  John Deere appeals to Gen Z with ‘chief tractor officer’ job

  With help from star quarterback Brock Purdy, the agricultural equipment giant began a campaign to find a “witty and charismatic” content creator to be the face of its social media.

  Technology

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  Farm bill proposal won’t cut SNAP benefits: House ag chair

  Republicans are pushing to return to a cost-neutral process when determining funds for food assistance. 

  Regulations

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  Food companies aren’t ready to comply with traceability rule, says former FDA official

  Frank Yiannas, who helped the agency craft its new food safety tracking policy, said the system is not even a third of the way to meeting the 2026 deadline.

  Regulations

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  USDA predicts lower crop prices for key commodities in 2024

  Reduced returns for corn and soybeans come as the department predicts higher prices for cattle and poultry.

  Crops

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  Chevron, Brightmark grow dairy digester network with Southwest renewable plant

  The facility will transform manure into biogas from Caballero Dairy in Eloy, Arizona.

  Dairy

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  Grocery co-op pushes for industrywide regenerative agriculture standards

  Seattle-based PCC Community Markets brought together industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for consistently defining the food production technique.

  Sustainability

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  Bayer leads new group to defend herbicide glyphosate

  The agrochemical giant and 60 other organizations are pledging to work with policymakers and advocate for the continued use of the controversial weedkiller.

  Crops

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  Suspended ADM CFO’s pay ticked up in 2023 to $4.5M

  The majority of Vikram Luthar’s pay package for last year came from $3.4 million in stock awards, according to Archer Daniels Midland’s proxy filing.

  Crops

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  Bird flu found in South Dakota dairy herd

  The detection adds to the growing number of states reporting positive cases in cattle.

  Dairy

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  States enact dairy cattle travel restrictions over bird flu concerns

  Key trading partners are monitoring the situation closely, with Mexico taking steps to reinforce surveillance and inspection of livestock from the U.S.

  Dairy

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