Autonomous tractors, robot milkers: How AI is transforming the future of farm tech

Artificial intelligence stands to revolutionize agriculture by opening new pathways for the industry to optimize production and address climate change.

By Tasmiha Khan, Iman Adem and Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 24, 2024

Organic Valley begins paying dairy farmers to capture carbon

The co-op is cutting out the middleman in operating its own carbon credit program that rewards suppliers for adopting regenerative agriculture practices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 23, 2024

Imagindairy expands manufacturing to lower consumer cost of plant-based dairy

The Israel-based food tech startup acquired its own industrial-scale, precision fermentation production lines focused on alternative dairy ingredients.

By Elizabeth Flood • Jan. 22, 2024

Milk carton shortage may last through school year

Pactiv Evergreen said it’s producing unbranded, half-pint cartons at maximum capacity as supply chain disruptions still challenge dairies and schools. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 16, 2024

Danone to sell Horizon Organic and Wallaby brands to PE firm

The sale of its premium organic dairy businesses in the U.S. to Platinum Equity will allow the food and beverage maker to prioritize its health-focused offerings and reinvest in growth initiatives.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 8, 2024

Minnesota lost 7% of its dairies in a year

The state reported a net loss of 58 permits in November alone as farmers across the country struggled with high input costs and low commodity values.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 8, 2024

Cal-Maine to acquire Tyson plant for egg production

The company said it will convert the Missouri facility, which was shuttered by Tyson last year, to grade eggs.

By Chris Casey • Jan. 3, 2024

Cheesemongers rejoice! U.S. production to climb 2% in 2024

More production capacity is expected to meet increasing demand for cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan globally and domestically.

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 22, 2023

Bill to expand school milk options sours in Senate

After bipartisan approval in the House, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was blocked in the Senate following a request for unanimous consent.

By Anna Merod • Dec. 21, 2023

Agriculture’s year in review: The biggest stories of 2023

A farm bill extension and an economic downturn came just as the industry began an expensive transformation to adapt and mitigate climate change. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 21, 2023

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

House passes bipartisan push to expand school milk options

Policymakers say the bill will provide students with essential nutrients, while studies suggest limiting dairy options has benefits for low-income children.

By Naaz Modan • Dec. 15, 2023

The biggest food sustainability pledges at COP28, from Bezos to JBS

Food companies commit millions of dollars to tackle methane and advance regenerative agriculture, while governments prioritize farming in climate action plans. Here are the highlights from the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Dec. 7, 2023

US cheese consumption in 2022 was whey up

Consumers are eating more dairy than ever, even as milk demand reaches an all-time low. 

By Nathan Owens • Dec. 6, 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

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

US loses trade dispute over access to Canada’s dairy market

Farm groups called the ruling a "surprising setback" that weakens the value of the USMCA.

By Sarah Zimmerman • 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

Devising a just transition for sustainable livestock agriculture

As national leaders and industry stakeholders prepare to convene on climate change at COP28, frameworks to ensure neither farmers nor ranchers are left behind should be top of mind.

By Danielle Nierenberg, Dr. Lee Recht, Dr. Harpinder Sandhu and Didier Toubia • Nov. 20, 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

Midwest dairy co-op partners with biotech firm to upcycle co-products

A new technology is being developed by Foremost Farms and Gingko Bioworks to convert raw materials such as whey and lactose, which are often lost in wastewater, into value-added products.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 9, 2023

Milk suppliers sour over carton shortage

Dairy manufacturers and others cite Pactiv Evergreen as the supply problem’s source. Tetra Pak and other competitors are trying to step up production to meet increased demand as beverage producers seek help.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 6, 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

Butter prices soar to record highs

Supply is constrained going into the holiday baking season due to lower production and increased summer demand for ice cream and other products.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 19, 2023

Walmart pouring $350M into new milk processing plant

The facility builds on the retailer’s efforts to control more of its fresh foods supply chain. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 12, 2023