The Latest

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  Avocado supply shortages generate record profits

  Mission Produce and Limoneira are seeing strong consumer demand even in the face of higher grocery store prices. 

  Crops

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  US beef and pork exports soar through the summer

  Strong demand from Mexico could lead to a record year for pork even as other countries struggle with economic headwinds.

  Meat

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  Vital Farms adds chief supply chain officer role

  Joe Holland will be responsible for the egg company’s logistics, production operations and food safety quality assurance.

  Meat

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  Cargill buys 2 feed mills from a pet food company

  The food giant is looking to build out its animal nutrition capabilities as U.S. pet care sales soar.

  Operations

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  EPA awards $15M to research how PFAS contaminate food and farmland

  The grants, which will fund studies to reduce the impact of "forever chemicals" on crops and livestock, come as a group of farmers sue the agency over a lack of regulation.

  Crops

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  OSHA sets late December comment deadline for extreme heat standard

  The agency’s proposed rule would require agricultural employers to develop heat injury and illness prevention plans, among other actions.

  Regulations

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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.

  Crops

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  Column

  Agtech seedlings: World’s largest vertical farming research center in the works

  Also in this week’s farm technology news: Syngenta teams on pheromone-based pest control, and the Institute of Food Technologists appointed a new president.

  Technology

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  Farmers are getting less for their crops. Here’s the full breakdown.

  While prices in July were sharply lower compared to a year ago for most commodities, meat and dairy producers benefited from lower supply.

  Crops

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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.

  Technology

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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.

  Meat

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  Drought takes hold of the US following a hot summer. How will crops be affected?

  A significant increase in dry conditions across the country is increasing the risk of damage to winter wheat, cotton and other commodities. 

  Crops

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  Port of Portland shares plan to keep container terminal open

  Oregon’s only ocean container terminal, which is primarily used by agricultural shippers, was in danger of shutting down due to a lack of state funds.

  Supply Chain

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  USDA tightens guidance for use of ‘antibiotic free’ and other meat labels

  The updates are meant to signal the department “will take enforcement action” against producers who make false or misleading claims around how animals are raised.

  Meat

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  Why eggs are becoming expensive again

  Surging consumer demand and continued bird flu challenges across U.S. poultry farms are translating to higher prices at the grocery store.

  Meat

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  How a former agriculture industry exec became CEO of cultivated meat company Meatable

  Jeff “Trip” Tripician is looking to work with the meat industry rather than pitting the two against each other.

  Meat

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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.

  Crops

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  Buckwheat in your ice cream? Quinoa in your milk? Sustainable grains emerge as a star ingredient

  More companies are incorporating them into their products to enhance the nutrition and sustainability.

  Crops

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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.

  Meat

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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. 

  Technology

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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.

  Crops

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  Bird flu vaccine for US dairy cattle is one step closer to reality

  The USDA approved the first safety trial for a vaccine and is working to address potential trade complications that could come with an immunization rollout.

  Meat

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  Mad Markets buys Timeless Seeds to bridge ‘missing middle’ in regenerative ag

  The purchase of the organic legume processor kicks off a new venture to connect farmers with CPG  buyers.

  Crops

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  Canadian rail carriers’ recovery from work stoppage may take weeks

  Embargoes put in place prior to the disruption have created freight backlog for Canadian National and CPKC.

  Supply Chain

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  Record ag trade deficit to widen in fiscal 2025: USDA

  The latest projections come as farmers experience lower crop prices, driving a decline in export values.

  Crops

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