Lawsuit accuses McDonald’s of negligence over E. coli outbreak

A Colorado customer who became ill after eating a Quarter Pounder is taking legal action against the fast-food chain as Burger King and other restaurants pull onions from their menus as a precautionary measure. 

World Bank set to double agriculture investments to $9B per year

The lending giant aims to improve farm productivity, climate resiliency and advance digital technologies.

McDonald’s investigates onions as source of E. coli outbreak

Supplier Taylor Farms has issued a recall after 49 people fell ill and one person died in an outbreak tied to the fast food chain’s Quarter Pounders.

USDA developing roadmap to tackle PFAS on farmland

Suggested long-term solutions include finding new ways to detect contamination and developing tools to stop "forever chemicals" before they cause harm to soil.

Carbon Robotics raises $70M for its AI-powered LaserWeeder

The startup plans to use the funds to roll out new software and hardware products and expand manufacturing in eastern Washington.

COP29 president reveals final text of 9 climate-focused pledges including food waste

Azerbaijan’s Mukhtar Babayev said the documents serve as “vital tools to drive progress on climate action” and will complement the official negotiation process at the annual UN summit.

Ranchers will soon need to beef up traceability with electronic cattle ID tags

The new rule, which has taken on more importance amid the spread of bird flu in dairy cows, is set to take effect in early November. But farmers are raising concerns.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms names new CEO

Chief Operating Officer Kevin McDaniel will lead the third largest poultry producer in the U.S. following the retirement of Clint Rivers next year. 

Candy producers using less chocolate this Halloween amid record cocoa prices: Wells Fargo

Hershey and other big chocolate producers are turning to gummies and other candy to offset supply issues with the crop.

Deere under FTC investigation over farms’ right to repair equipment

A probe into whether the tractor giant violated consumer protection law comes as farmers say they have little choice but to overpay for dealer repairs. 

Hurricane Milton caused up to $2.5B in Florida farm damage

The storm ravaged infrastructure and flooded the state's orange crops, with some growers expecting tree death.

Food waste responsible for 14% of US methane emissions: ReFED

The report, produced with Global Methane Hub, identifies the top emission reduction solutions both upstream and downstream of consumers.

The regenerative ag revolution starts with women: Q&A with Stephanie Anderson

In her new book, Anderson, a former farmer turned creative writing professor, talks to women across the U.S. who are leading the movement to transform the food system.

Agtech seedlings: US lawmakers propose tax credits for agtech investments

Also in this week's farm technology news: A former Monsanto exec is named the CEO of Freight Farms, and fruit breeding company Bloom Fresh adds blueberries to its portfolio.

Driving automation on the farm: Self-driving tractors look to fill agriculture’s labor shortage

John Deere and startup Agtonomy are introducing new ways to bring artificial intelligence to the field, with execs saying the technology holds the potential to open new job pathways for the next generation of farmers.

Deere lays off more workers in Iowa, Illinois as farm slump hits sales

The tractor manufacturer said the move is due to declining demand and unrelated to plans to shift some production to Mexico.

Hershey invests $500M to improve cocoa farming struggles

The confectionery giant is working with cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire to partner with growers as a way to standardize cocoa cultivation and lift profits.

Organic crop farming faces shrinking profits

A recent study shows that average net returns for organic commodity crops has plummeted to the lowest ever recorded.

More snacks to include fruit and vegetable ingredients: report

As consumers' eating habits evolve, so has the way food manufacturers think about ingredients and their placement in products.

Chicken processor recalls nearly 12M pounds of meat over listeria concerns

BrucePac, a producer of precooked meat and poultry, has recalled hundreds of ready-to-eat food items available in grocery stores, schools and restaurants.

Pecan farmers suffer devastating blow from Hurricane Helene

The recent storm shows why farmers and manufacturers need to be proactive for the next disaster, according to the CEO of pecan milk brand PKN.

Understanding EPA’s new rules protecting farmworkers from pesticide exposure

Changes controversially expand the boundaries for “application exclusion zones” to include areas outside the farm.

Fresh Del Monte boosts regenerative agriculture 11% across farms

The produce giant said it's met a number of sustainability targets ahead of a 2030 deadline and also introduced new goals to improve human rights in agriculture.

Clemens Food Group to close Pennsylvania pork plant

The closure affects a plant acquired from Kunzler & Co. with production set to be moved to another facility in the state.  

US farms on track to harvest record corn and soybean crops

Latest production estimates from USDA contribute to expectations of sharp profit declines for growers.