Operations

  • A farmer drives his tractor out of a red barn
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Farm income to fall far less than expected in revised USDA forecast

    The department is no longer expecting a record profit drop in 2024 as production expenses decline and rising meat and egg prices boost the livestock sector.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
  • Farmer discing his field as giant wind turbines overlook.
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    Mark Alexander via Getty Images
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    White House announces $7.3B clean energy financing for rural electrification

    The federal funding will support clean energy projects lowering electricity costs for cooperative utilities in 23 states, according to the Biden administration.

    By Ethan Howland • Sept. 6, 2024
  • hormel jennieo turkey
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    Courtesy of Hormel
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    Hormel challenged by weak whole turkey prices

    Despite headwinds in the commodity market, the food processor saw higher demand for ground turkey and other branded products as more consumers make  meals at home.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
  • A fertilizer manufacturing plant is seen
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    Courtesy of Koch Fertilizer
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    Koch completes controversial $3.6B fertilizer plant acquisition

    The sale was widely panned by lawmakers and agricultural groups, who said it further consolidates the market at the expense of taxpayers.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Header image for "Tyson CFO Arrested, Reviving Critics’ Concerns Over Inexperience, Conflict of Interest"
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    CFO Editorial Staff
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    Tyson Foods appoints new CFO, replacing company heir

    John R. Tyson, who was suspended earlier this summer following a drunk driving incident, is on health leave.

    By • Aug. 30, 2024
  • Man with orange basket shopping for produce in a grocery store
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    Hryshchyshen Serhii via Shutterstock

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    Are shoppers’ concerns around food inflation starting to ease?

    While consumers feel they have “more or less control” over their grocery finances, they are still worried about rising food costs, new FMI research found.

    By Peyton Bigora • Aug. 30, 2024
  • The backs of two men on tractors are seen under a large irrigation system
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Google gets into climate smart agriculture with water conservation partnership

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Fresh Del Monte names a head of innovation, and a Deere-backed startup raises $10 million for farm emissions monitoring. 

    By • Aug. 30, 2024
  • A building with the Smithfield logo is seen
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    The image by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    Smithfield spins off Europe business ahead of potential US listing

    The nation’s largest pork producer said the decision further accelerates “unique growth opportunities for both businesses.”

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
  • A line of dairy cows eat
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    David Silverman via Getty Images
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    Western Valley cleared to buy Cargill’s Fresno beef plant, but must provide job protections

    California is requiring the meat producer to operate the facility for at least one year, saying a closure would limit dairy farmer options on where to send their cows.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
  • A herbicide sprayer is seen on a soybean field
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    simazoran via Getty Images
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    How the EPA plans to protect endangered species from weedkillers

    A new framework could require farms near vulnerable habitats to take additional conservation steps. Here's what to know.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
  • Cabbage seedlings are seen in the foreground in a field with farmworkers in the background.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    American Vanguard to end global production of Dacthal weedkiller after EPA ban

    The sole U.S. manufacturer of the herbicide is working to remove the product from the market following regulators' determination that DCPA can harm fetal development. 

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • Eggs lay on a tray to be loaded into a machine with the label "Cheggy"
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    Courtesy of Innovate Animal Ag
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: US egg producer aims to become first to deploy in-ovo sexing

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Regenerative agriculture company Regrow Ag announces layoffs, and CropX announces plans to integrate its tech with CNH equipment.

    By Agriculture Dive staff • Aug. 23, 2024
  • A Canadian National Railway locomotive pulls a train on a track
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    Andrew Chin via Getty Images
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    Canada’s rail network shuts down: Here’s what it means for agriculture

    A lockout of union workers is expected to upend transportation of fertilizer and create risks for grain shippers ahead of the upcoming harvest.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Data Technology
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    Just_Super via Getty Images
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    AI could pose risk for food and ag companies

    ADM and other businesses are disclosing potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence as the technology becomes more essential for growth.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
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    Courtesy of Hormel
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    Hormel taps former Applegate president to lead retail division

    The appointment of John Ghingo comes as the company plans to double down on its snacking business amid volatility in the turkey sector.

    By Chris Casey • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Chickens roam and scratch around in a farm.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Pilgrim’s Pride to pay chicken farmers $100M in record price-fixing settlement

    The poultry processor, along with rivals Tyson and Perdue Farms, was accused of conspiring to suppress broiler grower compensation nationwide.

    By Chris Casey • Aug. 21, 2024
  • A woman fills a plastic container with lentils from a dispenser
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Louis Dreyfus forms dedicated pulses unit

    The processor is capitalizing on global demand for beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils, which have gained prominence as a meat alternative.

    By • Aug. 21, 2024
  • Canadian National intermodal containers Delta Port British Columbia
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    Provided by Canadian National 

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    Farm groups pressure Canada’s government to prevent rail shutdown

    A work stoppage at the country’s main railroads would create extensive disruption for grain farmers and U.S. agriculture, stakeholders say.

    By Larry Avila , • Aug. 21, 2024
  • A group of brown cows with yellow tags on their ears stand in a pasture
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Rebuilding the US cattle herd could take years, analyst says

    Strong cattle prices are encouraging ranchers to sell rather than retain their animals despite feed cost and pasture improvements.

    By • Aug. 20, 2024
  • An environment engineer's blue gloved hand collects wastewater samples from industrial canals in a test tube in the morning with trees in the background blurred.
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    onuma Inthapong via Getty Images
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    These farmers didn’t know their land was contaminated with PFAS. Now they’re suing.

    Some states are ordering farms to stop selling their products after testing positive for the “forever chemicals.”

    By Leah Borts-Kuperman and Sarah Zimmerman • Aug. 20, 2024
  • A yellow, box-like sensor is seen on a cotton field
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    Courtesy of Cargill
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Cargill tests irrigation tech on cotton fields

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Suzano invests in agtech for eucalyptus farming, and rock-picking startup TerraClear picks a Farmer Business Network exec to be its next CEO. 

    By • Aug. 16, 2024
  • Deere's CEO is seen delivering a speech with a large picture of a tractor behind him.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Deere earnings beat expectations following layoffs

    Despite declining profits in the third quarter, the manufacturer is positioning itself ahead of industry competitors through steep production cuts.

    By • Aug. 16, 2024
  • CPKC train Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern
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    Provided by CPKC

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    Canada rail embargoes intensify ahead of potential work stoppage

    If a labor deal isn’t reached before Aug. 22, it could be the first time that both of the country’s major railroads are simultaneously shut down.

    By Larry Avila • Aug. 16, 2024
  • Cargill's newly expanded soybean processing plant in Sidney, Ohio.
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    Courtesy of Cargill
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    Cargill revenue falls, breaking two-year record earnings streak

    Slumping commodity prices are pressuring the world's largest grain trader, which is reportedly planning to restructure operations.

    By • Aug. 15, 2024
  • A drone is seen spraying pesticides on a farm field
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    Courtesy of Emerging Prairie via Grand Farm
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    The 4 types of agtech startups attracting venture investment

    Despite a tough funding environment, companies that address farm profitability and sustainability have remained somewhat resilient in this year's second quarter, according to Pitchbook. 

    By • Aug. 14, 2024