The Latest

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  Agri Stats sued by DOJ for role in meatpacking antitrust scheme

  The department accused the data company of distributing reports so detailed that meatpackers could suppress competition and inflate prices, ultimately harming consumers.

  Meat

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  How a government shutdown will impact food safety, nutrition

  Unless Congress reaches a deal on spending before Sunday, programs and services overseen by the FDA and the USDA could end or be curtailed in the coming days and weeks.

  Regulations

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  Nestlé, Danone and other major food companies commit to framework for regenerative agriculture

  A group of more than 170 businesses are coalescing around a definition of the term to spur action on the farm level.

  Sustainability

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  S&W Seed products could supply 10% of US sorghum acreage next year

  The company is generating stronger sales for its seeds as it charts a path toward continued growth.

  Crops

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  Port of Oakland cargo volumes drop 15% in August

  Demand from retailers and manufacturers has declined, though the port remains optimistic that agriculture exports will soon pick up.

  Supply chain

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  Tyson, Perdue under investigation following reports of child labor at slaughterhouses

  The meat giants face a federal probe after a New York Times Magazine article detailed a 14-year-old being maimed by equipment at a Virginia plant.

  Meat

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  Pivot Bio expands leadership with former Syngenta, Hormel execs

  With more farmers seeking alternatives to traditional fertilizers, the startup is building out its C-suite to accelerate growth.

  Crops

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  Food assistance, farm loan programs in jeopardy amid looming government shutdown

  USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack warned of major disruptions to the agriculture sector if Congress is unable to reach a spending agreement.

  Crops

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  Bayer enters the strawberry market with UK acquisition

  NIAB’s strawberry breeding program allows the biotech giant to develop a wide range of genetics and crop protection products.

  Crops

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  ADM sees M&A as ‘more important’ for future growth

  After previously trying to "acquire as little as possible," the commodities giant's CEO said the company is looking for small buys to bolster its tech and nutrition portfolios.

  Operations

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  Coca-Cola’s Fairlife still sourcing milk from abusive farms, animal rights group claims

  The beverage giant disputed the claim from Animal Recovery Mission, saying the two operations and its owner are not suppliers for the dairy product, which has more than $1 billion in annual sales.

  Dairy

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  JBS begins work on lab-grown meat center in Brazil

  The Biotech Innovation Center, slated for completion next year, builds on the meatpacker’s effort to expand its portfolio and become a force in the growing cultivated protein sector.

  Technology

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  USDA launches $65M pilot to help attract more temporary farm workers from Central America

  Amid a humanitarian crisis in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, the U.S. is encouraging agriculture businesses to recruit H-2A visa workers from the Northern Triangle.

  Regulations

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  Deere lays off more than 200 workers in Illinois

  The agriculture equipment said it's balancing its production workforce with the needs of its Harvester Works factory in East Moline.

  Technology

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  Kroger makes local sourcing pledge tied to Albertsons merger

  The grocery giant said it will increase the number of products from local farms and businesses by 10% in its stores once the proposed mega-merger closes. 

  Supply chain

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  Big food’s regenerative agriculture pledges mostly just talk

  Most businesses lack quantitative targets to reach their goals and only a few of them offer financial commitments to support farmers, according to a FAIRR report.

  Sustainability

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  US Senate targets December for farm bill passage

  Debates over funding and food assistance are slowing negotiations in the House and pushing the upper chamber to step up, said Agriculture Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

  Regulations

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  Incobrasa breaks ground on $250M soybean plant expansion

  The oilseed processor and biodiesel maker is adding a crushing facility in Illinois to increase its production capacity.

  Crops

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  Climate activists warn Wall Street investors of JBS listing risks

  Critics say the meatpacking giant’s plan to restructure diminishes the voting power of existing and future minority shareholders.

  Meat

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  Potential Hormel strike looms after Minnesota workers reject contract offer

  Union members at the Spam maker’s largest facility say the company’s “record profits are just wages not shared fairly with the rest of us,” joining workers around the country in a fight for improved benefits and pay.

  Meat

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  Food tech venture capital deal sizes decline for the first time in seven years

  Despite the drop, the number of investments increased to 268 in the second quarter as activity rebounded following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March, according to a PitchBook report.

  Technology

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  China appeals WTO ruling against retaliatory tariffs on US goods

  The move allows $2.4 billion in duties on pork, fruits and other products to remain in place as the trade body’s appellate court remains in crisis.

  Regulations

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  Canadian National, Norfolk Southern add US-Canada intermodal service

  The railroads’ joint venture will provide connections from Kansas City and Atlanta to several points across Canada beginning Oct. 2.

  Supply chain

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  Aerofarms emerges from bankruptcy fully funded and with a new CEO

  The once cash-strapped vertical farming company is making changes to position itself for growth as competitors struggle amid economic uncertainty.

  Technology

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  Extreme heat is causing cows to produce less milk

  Lower supply is pushing butter and cheese prices higher, which could help dairy producers who have suffered from deteriorating margins.

  Dairy

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