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

Tyson debuts $300M highly automated chicken plant

The Virginia facility is one of the food giant's most technologically advanced, and is expected to churn out 4 million pounds of protein a week.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

By Agriculture Dive staff

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

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

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

Perdue drives awareness of antibiotic-free claim with first snack product

Chix Mix is its latest salvo in the messaging war against competitor Tyson, which announced it would remove the label from its poultry products this year.

By Chris Casey • Nov. 20, 2023

Lower turkey costs drive down price of Thanksgiving dinner

The American Farm Bureau Federation said while the average cost declined 4.5% from last year’s record, high supply costs and inflation continue to weigh on food prices.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 17, 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

Shoppers aren’t changing their Thanksgiving plans, but are seeking more savings

The cost of a holiday feast has come down from last year’s historic high, though prices for festive foods remains above pre-pandemic levels.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 15, 2023

Tyson leaving ‘no stone unturned’ in plans to cut costs, improve business

The nation’s largest meat packer reported its third consecutive loss as it trudges through a period of margin compression driven by tighter supplies, lower pricing and soft demand.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 14, 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

Tyson to shutter 2 more processing plants as earnings woes mount

Closures in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, add to the growing number of cost cuts this year in response to unfavorable market conditions.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 10, 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

Bird flu spreads to major poultry producing states Arkansas and Alabama

More than 1 million birds have been affected by the disease since its reemergence in the U.S. was confirmed in October.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 6, 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

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

Unfavorable US pork market weighs on Smithfield owner

Meatpacking giant WH Group is coping with profit declines as it consolidates operations and looks for cost cuts. 

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 26, 2023

USDA strengthens animal welfare requirements for organic label

Livestock must have improved access to the outdoors in new rules aimed at creating consistent standards and aligning with consumer expectations.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 26, 2023

Tyson Foods partners with insect protein startup to develop ingredient facility

The meat giant will work with Protix to construct a plant dedicated to insect protein items in the U.S., for use in pet food, aquaculture and livestock production.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 18, 2023

Turkey prices could fall as Thanksgiving nears, but bird flu reemergence threatens flocks

Consumers will likely see lower prices for the holiday staple compared to last fall, according to a report, but the unpredictable avian influenza remains a threat.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 13, 2023

High interest rates are hitting agriculture industries the hardest: report

The U.S. is losing its competitive edge as other countries gravitate toward less expensive imports.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 12, 2023

Meat snack maker fined $140K, faced shipping restrictions for child labor violations

The U.S. Department of Labor is ramping up enforcement activity and putting employers "on notice" as it reports a significant rise in the number of children illegally working at facilities.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Oct. 13, 2023

Bird flu cases reemerge at US commercial poultry farms for first time in months

The contagious disease has reared its head again as cooler temperatures begin to affect the migratory patterns of wild birds.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 11, 2023

Smithfield to close North Carolina pork processing plant

The move is expected to help increase efficiency as the meat industry grapples with tightening margins.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 10, 2023