USDA to give specialty crop growers $2B to expand markets, combat natural disasters

The funding will help vegetable and fruit farmers defray transportation costs and access commercial storage facilities in the wake of extreme weather events.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 20, 2024

California opts to preserve credits for dairy digesters in major regulatory update

A state regulator voted to amend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, injecting new life into a lucrative biofuels credit market that is used by waste projects throughout the U.S.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2024

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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

Eliminate pesticides in farming? Trump’s pick of RFK Jr for health secretary raises concerns in agriculture

The prominent vaccine skeptic has promised to shake up the FDA, claiming Americans are being “poisoned” by seed oils and food additives in comments that have alarmed the industry. 

By Sydney Halleman , Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 18, 2024

Trump taps ‘border czar’ who promised worksite immigration enforcement

The choice of Tom Homan comes after Trump conducted workplace raids during his first term, including at seven Mississippi poultry plants.

By Kate Tornone • Nov. 15, 2024

McDonald’s and Syngenta team up to create a more sustainable hamburger

The fast-food giant and meat supplier Lopez Foods will pay farmers to use Syngenta's Enogen corn to drive feed efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 14, 2024

Cox Farms becomes largest indoor farming operator in North America

The agricultural subsidiary of telecom giant Cox Enterprises has been on an acquisition spree since its launch in March, doubling the acreage for brands BrightFarms and Mucci Farms.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 14, 2024

California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

The American Farm Bureau Federation was among business groups that claimed a rule requiring large companies to report their carbon emissions violated the First Amendment. 

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2024

California biofuel restrictions limit farms’ role in renewable energy transition

New changes to the state's low carbon fuel standard cap incentives for soybean oil in renewable diesel and give a timeline to phase out subsidies for dairy methane digesters.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 12, 2024

What happens when the left-right food policy spectrum becomes a circle?

Changes of leadership at the FDA and the USDA under President-elect Trump could have a large impact on the industry, writes Sean McBride of DSM Communications.

By Sean McBride • Nov. 12, 2024

Agco further slows tractor production in ‘aggressive’ move to combat declining demand

The tractor maker is looking to reduce dealer inventory levels as large agriculture equipment sales continue to fall.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 11, 2024

Farmer confidence in the economy unexpectedly rebounds, surprising ag economists

Ahead of the election, producers expressed more optimism about their financial prospects in 2025 even as forecasts predict a decline in farm income.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 8, 2024

What a second Trump trade war would mean for farmers

The president-elect has threatened 60% tariffs on goods from China at a time when U.S. producers are already struggling with slowing exports and falling prices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 7, 2024

Food and beverage M&A activity appears to be picking up, CoBank says

Better-for-you snacking and plant-based meat alternatives could be attractive for dealmaking, the bank cooperative noted.

By Christopher Doering • Nov. 5, 2024

Pilgrim’s Pride reports $8M in Helene losses

Along with production setbacks, CEO Fabio Sandri said farm communities were “severely impacted,” citing electrical issues and significant housing damages.

By Nathan Owens • Nov. 4, 2024

Campbell’s and Kind receive USDA support to advance regenerative agriculture for key ingredients

The soup giant secured $3.4 million in funding for tomato growers in California and Kind Snacks announced milestones for sustainable almond farming.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Nov. 4, 2024

McDonald’s E. coli outbreak now tied to 90 illnesses

The CDC said that slivered onions from Taylor Farms used on Quarter Pounders were the likely culprit.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 1, 2024

4 charts examining grocery inflation

While high retail prices are a hot topic among consumers and politicians, the annual rate of food-at-home prices has held steady at about 1%.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 31, 2024

Meat sales surge, led by fresh beef

Pork and turkey also saw growth as more consumers dined at home.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 30, 2024

Milton strains citrus ingredient production

The hurricane tore through Florida’s orange groves as citrus flavors and fibers become more popular among consumers. 

By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 29, 2024

McDonald’s rules out beef as source of E. coli outbreak

The fast food chain will stop buying onions from a facility operated by supplier Taylor Farms after the ingredient was identified as the likely source of contamination. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 28, 2024

Iowa kills 1.3M chickens after sudden closure of processor Pure Prairie Poultry

The state had for weeks struggled to find a market for the birds, with prospective buyer Tyson Foods backing out at the last minute.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 28, 2024

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. 

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2024

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.

By Julie Littman , Sarah Zimmerman • Oct. 24, 2024

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.

By Chris Casey • Oct. 22, 2024

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.

By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 21, 2024