Missouri pressures Tyson to sell 2 poultry plants set for closure

Attorney General Andrew Bailey joins U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley in warning of devastating consequences to rural communities with the loss of factory jobs.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 6, 2023

Tyson lays off poultry workers in North Carolina

The meat giant is cutting jobs as the industry navigates through a backdrop of volatile prices, inflation and waning demand from high interest rates.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 4, 2023

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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

Cargill alt-protein chief talks approach to plant-based and cultivated meat

Elizabeth Gutschenritter discusses the challenges that come along with a new and growing category and which fast-food spot would be part of her last meal.

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 4, 2023

Tyson, Hormel face class-action over worker compensation

Executives allegedly held secret meetings and “off-the-books” dinners to discuss worker pay rates, supporting a “plausible inference” of a conspiracy to suppress wages.

By Nathan Owens • Oct. 2, 2023

Agri Stats sued by DOJ for role in meatpacking antitrust scheme

The department accused the data company of distributing reports so detailed that meatpackers could suppress competition and inflate prices, ultimately harming consumers.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 29, 2023

Tyson, Perdue under investigation following reports of child labor at slaughterhouses

The meat giants face a federal probe after a New York Times Magazine article detailed a 14-year-old being maimed by equipment at a Virginia plant.

By Chris Casey • Sept. 27, 2023

Climate activists warn Wall Street investors of JBS listing risks

Critics say the meatpacking giant’s plan to restructure diminishes the voting power of existing and future minority shareholders.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 21, 2023

Potential Hormel strike looms after Minnesota workers reject contract offer

Union members at the Spam maker’s largest facility say the company’s “record profits are just wages not shared fairly with the rest of us,” joining workers around the country in a fight for improved benefits and pay.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 20, 2023

How the looming government shutdown is complicating the farm bill

Averting a budget crisis remains a top priority in Congress, likely pushing back the timeline for the most consequential law in the agriculture industry. Here’s what it means for farmers.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 12, 2023

US farm income to see largest-ever drop

A combination of high expenses and weak prices for major crops and livestock are expected to lead to an estimated 23% decline in profits.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 11, 2023

India agrees to slash tariffs on US poultry

The decision will allow for more imports of duck and turkey, ending a longstanding trade dispute between the two countries.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Sept. 11, 2023

Hormel lowers outlook amid challenging pork and turkey backdrop

Weak prices offset sales volume growth in the third quarter as the food processor struggled with supply chain issues that resulted in a hefty arbitration payment.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 1, 2023

Talking the future of food with Ginkgo Bioworks’ Patrick Boyle

As the head of Codebase, Boyle was a synthetic biologist "before it was cool.” Here’s how he helps food brands come up with animal-free proteins.  

By Judy McGuire • Sept. 1, 2023

Minerva buys 16 Marfrig meat plants for $1.5B

The Brazil meat exporter plans to acquire the beef giant’s processing facilities in South America to grow its wholesale commodity business, while Marfrig sharpens its focus to value-added products.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 30, 2023

USDA increases payments for cattle killed by Midwest heat waves

The agency made revisions to better reflect the fair market value of beef calves as supplies continue to decline amid high temperatures and worsening drought conditions.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 29, 2023

EPA denies petitions for stronger CAFO regulations

An advisory committee will instead study the extent of pollution on so-called "factory farms" and make recommendations to the agency.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 28, 2023

Environmental groups petition SEC to halt JBS’ US listing

Activists say the Brazil-based meat giant's alleged failure to adhere to its climate pledges is a risk for investors. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 25, 2023

Ranchers’ beef price-fixing suit against major meatpackers dismissed

A Minnesota federal judge ruled that claims against JBS, Tyson, Cargill and other producers lacked legal standing.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 24, 2023

Massachusetts delays Question 3 rules for transshipping pork

A settlement reached this month addresses concerns from the restaurant and food industries, who say the law will disrupt interstate commerce.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 23, 2023

Consumers embrace tech preventing male chick culling. But will the egg industry bite?

While consumers indicate they’re willing to pay more for eggs produced using in-ovo sexing, the cost of the technology remains a hurdle for the industry.

By Chris Casey • Aug. 21, 2023

JBS reports $53.2M net loss as chicken glut eases and beef supply tightens

Despite unfavorable protein conditions, the meat giant expects commodity and input prices to improve in coming months for the pork and poultry sectors.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 17, 2023

Smithfield owner expects tough market conditions to persist

Meat processing giant WH Group has seen pork profits plummet this year as high costs and demand challenges take their toll on its U.S. and Mexico operations.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 16, 2023

Smithfield to close 35 hog farms in Missouri

Meat producers are taking cost-cutting measures as they grapple with unfavorable market conditions.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 11, 2023

A passion for animal welfare drove Better Meat’s founder to create a fungi-based protein

CEO Paul Shapiro talks why he thinks technology is set to revolutionize the food industry, and the difficulties of securing venture capital as plant-based meat demand wobbles. 

By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 8, 2023

Tyson Foods to close 4 more chicken plants as losses mount

The nation’s largest meat company is working to cut costs as it faces strong market headwinds.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 7, 2023