Agtech Seedlings: Bonsai Robotics secures $15M to advance automated fruit harvesters

Also in this week’s farm technology news: CH4 Global begins large-scale production of methane reduction feed additives and an indoor greens grower expands and rebrands.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 31, 2025

Farmland loans for regenerative agriculture: FBN and Walton family launch ‘first-of-its-kind’ lending program

Amid a downturn in the farm economy and federal funding uncertainty, a new pilot offers additional incentives for producers to adopt sustainable practices. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 31, 2025

5 questions about Trump’s tariff plans

Duties on Mexico and Canada could take effect this weekend. Here’s what to know.

By Philip Neuffer • Jan. 31, 2025

Meat giant JBS breaks into the egg business

A merger with South American producer Mantiqueira Brasil comes amid soaring U.S. egg prices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 30, 2025

Cargill, Foster Farms to close turkey plants as demand wanes

The closures, which will lead to layoffs of more than 1,600 people, come as bird flu ravages farms and consumer tastes change.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 30, 2025

US detects rare bird flu strain H5N9 in poultry for first time

The finding at a California duck farm is raising alarms among public health experts that bird flu could further mutate into “unpredictable new viruses.”

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 29, 2025

Trump freeze on federal grants and loans sparks confusion in agriculture

The Office of Management and Budget said aid to farmers won’t be affected, but listed dozens of USDA programs to be reviewed for “Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.”

By Justin Bachman , Sarah Zimmerman • Updated Jan. 29, 2025

Egg prices could break more records in 2025

The USDA is expecting consumer costs to rise another 20% this year as bird flu devastates commercial flocks.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 28, 2025

Investment in agtech startups plummeted in 2024

Deal activity fell 25% during the year with a string of companies declaring bankruptcy, but Pitchbook analysts say a rebound could still happen.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 27, 2025

How a rare southern snowstorm could bring risks to farms

Experts warn citrus and livestock farmers in states like Texas, Georgia and Alabama will need to take precautions to protect their operations.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 23, 2025

Why an independent grocer is holding the line on egg prices

Connecticut supermarket chain LaBonne’s Markets sees the ongoing egg shortage as an opportunity to demonstrate to shoppers that it is focused on helping them afford groceries, CEO Bob LaBonne Jr. said.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 23, 2025

Agriculture Dive to stop publishing

On Feb. 1, 2025, Agriculture Dive will stop publishing. We hope our daily coverage of the agriculture space was helpful to you.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 23, 2025

USDA releases guidance on climate-smart crops in biofuels

The interim rule gives insight into how farmers can access renewable fuel tax credits, though a Trump administration freeze on recent federal regulations is creating more uncertainty.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 22, 2025

Perdue Farms to shutter Tennessee chicken plant

The company is set to close the Monterey facility at the end of March, eliminating 433 jobs.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 22, 2025

Cargill reaches $32M settlement in turkey price-fixing lawsuit

Tyson Foods previously agreed to pay $4.62 million in the case, which accuses meatpackers of colluding to drive up consumer prices.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 21, 2025

Smithfield Foods eyes $10.7B valuation in IPO

The company said it plans to raise up to $939.6 million through its shareholder offering. 

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 21, 2025

Agtech seedlings: Amazon-backed Windfall Bio hits commercial milestone for methane-eating microbes

Also in this week's farm technology news: Syngenta to speed up biostimulant development with AI, and Pilgrim's Pride expands its renewable gas efforts at a South Carolina plant.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 17, 2025

Hormel Foods CEO to retire

The departure of James Snee, who took over the top post in 2016, is the third leader from a major food company to announce they are leaving since December.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 17, 2025

US poultry, swine workers face increased health risks, studies show

The USDA-backed research comes as meat producers push to increase factory line speeds in processing facilities, which critics say compounds the likelihood of injury.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 15, 2025

Chipotle invests to reduce methane emissions from cows

The restaurant chain's venture fund is also backing efforts to produce plant-based meat from duckweed.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 15, 2025

JBS will pay $4M to counter illegal child labor practices

A DOL official praised the remedial steps proposed by the world’s largest meat processor as “creative and forward-thinking.”

By Emilie Shumway • Jan. 15, 2025

CHS leans into supply chain investments as profits tank

The agribusiness giant, which saw net income fall by more than half in the first quarter, is announcing new products, shipping terminals and agronomy services to turn around market declines. 

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 14, 2025

Seafood company not on the hook for overtime in COVID lockdown case, court rules

The case highlights the complexities involved with determining compensability under the Fair Labor Standards Act, particularly when workers are kept on campus.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 14, 2025

USDA invests $180M in biofuels and clean energy projects

The Biden administration has doled out $3.3 billion to expand solar, wind and biofuels infrastructure across rural America.

By Nathan Owens • Jan. 13, 2025

US corn exports off to strong start

First quarter sales reached the highest level in roughly six years thanks to plentiful supply, competitive pricing and an uncharacteristically weak harvest from main competitor Brazil.

By Sarah Zimmerman • Jan. 13, 2025