The Latest

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  Deep Dive

  How farms became the latest battleground in US-China relations

  As states become more brazen in their efforts to restrict China from owning U.S. farmland, some worry about the potential impact to trade.

  Regulations

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  Deep Dive

  Agtech funding is rebounding. Which startups attract investors?

  Venture capital firms are moving away from vertical farming and plant-based foods, instead seeing new opportunities in artificial intelligence and alternative fertilizers.

  Technology

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  Lowering crop insurance subsidies for large farms could save millions, watchdog finds

  The report comes as agriculture leaders in Congress look for ways to free up new funding for the next farm bill.

  Regulations

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  US cheese consumption in 2022 was whey up

  Consumers are eating more dairy than ever, even as milk demand reaches an all-time low. 

  Dairy

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  US Food Waste Pact launches with ReFED, Walmart, Del Monte, others

  Companies across the food supply chain have agreed to cut food loss and waste by collaborating on data sharing and best practices.

  Sustainability

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  Darigold CEO steps down

  Board Chairman Allan Huttema will take over as interim chief executive as the dairy co-op is in the midst of a company-wide transformation to become a global ingredients provider.

  Dairy

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  Tyson’s insect bet will spur further adoption in the space, IFT member says

  Protein producers adopting bugs for use in animal feed provides a lower barrier for entry, potentially making it easier to introduce insects into consumer diets, experts say.

  Meat

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  Over 130 countries sign COP28 pledge to integrate food into climate action

  Notably absent from the list of signatories is India, which has said it will refuse to sign on to any agreement that could compromise food security.

  Sustainability

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  Generate Upcycle threatens to close anaerobic digester over Michigan permitting changes

  The company may shutter its 150,000-ton-per-year Fremont Regional Digester this month if it’s required to obtain a groundwater permit for its liquid digestate, which has been marketed as a fertilizer.

  Dairy

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  Farm income to fall 17% from last year’s record highs

  With commodity prices declining and expenses rising, the USDA expects the agriculture sector to see significant profit declines in 2023. 

  Operations

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  Opinion

  Making agtech smarter needs to be a COP28 priority

  To accelerate climate action, a broad coalition of stakeholders must come together to advance agricultural innovation and find more efficient production methods.

  Technology

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  Danone partners on $200M+ accelerator to reduce methane

  The yogurt producer is the first corporate sponsor of the Global Methane Hub’s program, which will fund research for solutions that address livestock's effect on emissions.

  Crops

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  Tyson debuts $300M highly automated chicken plant

  The Virginia facility is one of the food giant's most technologically advanced, and is expected to churn out 4 million pounds of protein a week.

  Meat

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  USDA extends trial for increased line speeds at pork plants

  The agency’s “time-limited trial” will continue to give experts enough time to design a study to evaluate the impact of faster operations on worker safety.

  Meat

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  Turkey drags down Hormel earnings amid inflation, bird flu headwinds

  In the company’s earnings call, CEO Jim Snee signaled caution ahead of the new year, projecting a decline in sales as consumers cut back on spending.

  Meat

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  Deere must face ‘right-to-repair’ lawsuits, court rules

  A federal judge denied the tractor maker’s motion to dismiss claims that it “monopolizes” repair services to pad profits.

  Technology

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  Food system transformation on the menu at COP28

  Agriculture will be central to climate talks for the first time as the UN pushes nations to tackle farming's toll on the environment.

  Sustainability

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  Nestlé, Kraft prevail in egg producer price-fixing case

  An Illinois federal jury found Cal-Maine and other producers liable for limiting supply between 2004 and 2008 in an effort to drive up costs.

  Meat

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  NASA is helping Hawai’i farmers grow more food with AI

  Through the use of machine learning and satellite technology, researchers are working with Maui farmers to address food security and rebuild the island’s agriculture sector with a focus on local tradition.

  Technology

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  Cargill accelerates efforts to end deforestation in South America as EU regulations loom

  One of the world's largest commodities traders is moving up its timeline to eliminate land use conversion from supply chains in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. 

  Crops

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  Cultivated meat labeling puzzle could bring legal headaches

  Though regulators came to a consensus on what to call the namesake product in 2022, continuing debates over package labeling rules could still create headwinds for players in the space.

  Technology

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  Deere braces for sharp drop in tractor demand, despite profitable year

  Adverse conditions in the U.S., Europe and South America are expected to weigh on demand for heavy equipment by as much as 20%.

  Technology

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  How Fresh Del Monte uses its farms to test regenerative agriculture efforts

  The produce giant is stepping up to address gaps in sustainability for tropical fruits by experimenting with conservation efforts on company-owned farms.

  Crops

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  US loses trade dispute over access to Canada’s dairy market

  Farm groups called the ruling a "surprising setback" that weakens the value of the USMCA.

  Dairy

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  Biden admin convenes supply chain council, announces $196M investment in agriculture

  The White House is doubling down on efforts to strengthen logistics infrastructure and expand domestic market opportunities for farmers.

  Regulations

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