Supply Chain

  • A Deere tractor in the foreground.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deere lowers outlook as equipment sales slow due to declining farm income

    The company is cutting production as high interest rates, weather volatility and other factors weigh on demand for tractors and lawnmowers.

    By • May 17, 2024
  • A baby pineapple grows from a plant
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Fresh Del Monte to manufacture biofertilizer from pineapple waste

    Also in this week's farm technology news: FarmRaise introduces a platform for companies to manage agricultural sustainability programs, and FMC taps AI to accelerate product discovery.

    By • May 17, 2024
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

    As the sector anxiously awaits a farm bill, producers are expected to take advantage of new opportunities in renewable energy and regenerative agriculture.

    By Agriculture Dive staff
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    ReposiTrak adds dairy and egg suppliers to traceability network

    The platform will be used to exchange FDA-required data for tracking products considered more prone to contamination.

    By Kelly Stroh • May 15, 2024
  • A group of cattle stand on pastureland in a fenced-in enclosure
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    Photo illustration by https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/cattle-stand-near-temporary-fencing-while-grazing-in-news-photo/1400572958/Agriculture Dive; photograph by Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Grass-fed beef demand is on the rise. Can supply keep up?

    Although consumer appetite for the label is increasing, cost constraints and environmental questions have prevented a production expansion.

    By S.L. Fuller , • May 14, 2024
  • A farmer and his son walk toward a tractor with their backs to the camera.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Global soybean production poised for record growth

    Surging demand for biofuels and lower supply out of South America are expected to benefit the U.S. until the beginning of next year.

    By • May 14, 2024
  • A bunch of Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut candies in a display.
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    Lillianna Byington/Agriculture Dive
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    Ferrero unwraps first chocolate factory in North America

    The confectionery manufacturer also recently invested in Oregon’s hazelnut growers as it seeks to expand its presence in the U.S.

    By Joelle Anselmo • May 13, 2024
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    Courtesy of Daisy Brand
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    Daisy Brand to build $626M Iowa dairy plant

    The 750,000-square facility in Boone, Iowa, will initially employ more than 100 workers.

    By Joelle Anselmo • May 10, 2024
  • A boy is seen from behind as he looks at M&M candy dispensers.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    M&M’s owner Mars commits $47M to slash dairy emissions

    The confectionery giant is testing seaweed feed supplements and plans to open three "net zero" farms as it looks to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.

    By • May 9, 2024
  • A Swisslog Ventura crane in a warehouse
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    Courtesy of Swisslog
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    Walmart taps Swisslog to automate 3 milk facilities

    The technology is part of the retailer’s larger goal to build a resilient and transparent supply chain while bolstering its capacity to meet demand.

    By S.L. Fuller • May 9, 2024
  • People working at a chicken factory.
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    andresr via Getty Images
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    California poultry processors will pay over $5M to resolve overtime, child labor allegations

    The Department of Labor called it “one of the largest wage violation settlements ever reached" for domestic poultry workers.

    By Emilie Shumway • May 8, 2024
  • corn plants are seen sprouting from the ground
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    US to raise Morocco phosphate fertilizer tariffs again

    Farm groups are worried the move will drive up costs as they see lower returns for their crops. 

    By • May 7, 2024
  • A farmworker empties cherries into a tray.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Too much of a sweet thing: Cherry growers struggle after oversupply decimates prices

    Warmer weather is shortening harvests and putting more farmers in direct competition with each other, pushing the industry to come up with innovative solutions to extend the growing season.

    By Leah Borts-Kuperman • May 6, 2024
  • A person operates a tractor that is harvesting cotton on a farm.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Better Cotton audits farms it previously certified following deforestation investigation

    Environmental watchdog Earthsight accused the nonprofit of falsely certifying cotton produced on deforested land for major fashion brands including Zara and H&M.

    By Laurel Deppen • May 3, 2024
  • A corporate headquarters building
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    Retrieved from Monogram Foods on April 25, 2024
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    Monogram Foods taps Kellogg veteran as supply chain head

    Larry Elliott will oversee company operations at the snack food company months after it was fined for illegally employing children at a meatpacking plant. 

    By Alejandra Salgado • April 30, 2024
  • Vanguard Renewables anaerobic digester in Haverhill, Massachusetts
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    Permission granted by Vanguard Renewables
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    Vanguard, TotalEnergies announce joint venture for at least 10 dairy digesters

    The facilities will produce renewable natural gas using waste from the food and beverage industries, supplemented with manure from farms.

    By Jacob Wallace • April 26, 2024
  • farming, wheat, agriculture
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Bunge, Viterra merger raises competition concerns in Canada

    Regulators say the deal could harm grain purchases and canola oil sales in certain markets.

    By • April 26, 2024
  • A blue CNH tractor is seen on a farm
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    Permission granted by CNH
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    CNH’s CEO unexpectedly announces departure

    Scott Wine is stepping down from the tractor manufacturer to pursue other interests, just as his plan for a turnaround was "starting to bear fruit," according to a Bank of America analyst.

    By • April 25, 2024
  • The exterior of US EPA headquarters in Washington, DC
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    crbellette via Getty Images
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    EPA designates 2 PFAs as hazardous substance, says enforcement not aimed at farms

    Agriculture groups contend the rule does not go far enough to protect farmers who unknowingly spread “forever chemicals” through fertilizer biosolids.

    By Megan Quinn , • April 25, 2024
  • Machinery removes forestation across a wide plain.
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    Courtesy of Thomas Bauer/Earthsight 2023
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    Cotton used by H&M and Zara linked to illegal deforestation: report

    A year-long investigation by nonprofit Earthsight found that fiber certified by ethical supply chain organization Better Cotton was grown on "stolen" and "deforested" land in Brazil.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 24, 2024
  • Package of plant-based ground beef are seen in a grocery aisle
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Is plant-based meat more sustainable? Experts question the data

    Researchers have struggled to replicate life-cycle assessments commissioned from companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, and are calling for more transparency.

    By Nithin Coca • April 24, 2024
  • Grain elevators are seen contrasted against a bright blue sky
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    Courtesy of CHS Inc
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    CHS buys 8 grain facilities from Cargill

    The agricultural cooperative said the deal will help its farmers better compete in the global marketplace.

    By • April 23, 2024
  • No trespassing sign seen on a farm field with chicken coops in the background
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Defend the flock: Bird flu outbreak prompts calls for biosecurity assessments on chicken farms

    As avian influenza spreads to an increasing number of species, experts worry it could create even more transmission pathways for the virus to infiltrate commercial poultry operations.

    By • April 22, 2024
  • View of trees.
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    Moeru Matsunoo via Getty Images
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    SBTi walks back carbon offset policy changes after staff backlash

    The Science Based Targets initiative backtracked on expanding the use of environmental offsets in corporate scope 3 plans after staff called for the CEO’s resignation.

    By Lamar Johnson • April 22, 2024
  • Del Monte Fruit & Oats are displayed on a table.
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    Rob Kim via Getty Images
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    Del Monte Foods reports emissions reduction, sets net-zero goal for 2050

    The food producer and distributor has expanded regenerative agriculture practices and lowered its fertilizer use through advancements in seed breeding.

    By Zoya Mirza • April 19, 2024
  • A tractor moves across a field of soybeans
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    USDA predicts lower crop prices for key commodities in 2024

    Reduced returns for corn and soybeans come as the department predicts higher prices for cattle and poultry.

    By • April 16, 2024