The Latest

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  Bayer and other seed giants defeat farmer price-fixing lawsuit

  A judge dismissed claims that agricultural chemical companies such as Syngenta and Corteva purposefully avoided e-commerce sites as a tactic to skirt price competition.

  Crops

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  JBS unlocks renewable gas production at US beef and poultry plants

  With help from GreenGasUSA’s on-site systems, the Brazil-based meat giant plans to transform methane from its wastewater streams into sustainable fuel.

  Meat

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  EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolid fertilizers

  The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Texas farmers who allege they’ve been harmed by contamination from “forever chemicals” after spreading sewage sludge on agricultural land.

  Crops

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  Gene-editing startup Pairwise partners with Corteva, unveils $40M funding round

  The announcements add to collaborations with Bayer and underscores a shift in the agtech company’s focus away from producing seedless blackberries and other innovative food crops. 

  Crops

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  Organic milk production has soared despite volatile profit margins

  Rising feed and operational costs are outweighing strong returns for organic dairy farmers.

  Dairy

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  EPA issues violation notice to ADM over carbon sequestration permit

  A monitoring well designed to keep track of whether captured carbon is flowing to the right place had corroded, though has since been plugged.

  Crops

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  Low Mississippi River water levels disrupt barge shipping for third consecutive year

  Cargo restrictions come as grain harvests begin and agricultural shippers look to offload more commodities from storage.

  Crops

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  Awash with apples: Warmer temperatures yield early but fruitful harvest

  Honeycrisps and other varieties are ripening sooner, presenting new challenges as climate change intensifies.

  Crops

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  Bank of America closes $205M deal with biofuels producer for clean fuel credits

  The financial institution will purchase tax credits generated by the carbon captured at Harvestone Low Carbon Partners’ North Dakota ethanol facility.

  Crops

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  Column

  Agtech Seedlings: H-2A worker management app addresses seasonal farm challenges

  Also in this week’s farm technology news: Kubota acquires a Pittsburgh-based robotics startup, and GreenVenus unveils fast-growing lettuce for indoor growing.

  Crops

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  Cal-Maine takes majority stake of egg processor to expand into prepared foods

  A new joint venture with wrap and crepe maker Crepini comes as producers look to boost profits through value-added products.

  Meat

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  Column

  Brazil wildfires damage sugarcane crops

  Burning fields have sparked concerns over the global sugar supply, a shortage that would have far-reaching repercussions.

  Crops

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  California’s first bird flu cases in dairy cows magnifies production risks

  Avian influenza has reached the top milk producing state in the nation, raising concerns about a lack of testing among farms.

  Dairy

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  Big banks pressed to stop financing livestock production over climate concerns

  An open letter singles out JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and other institutions for their support of food giants like JBS, saying lending activities undermine the sector’s environmental commitments.

  Meat

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  Are strawberries tasting worse? Tech platform says it can help fruit maintain quality

  New labels track the humidity and temperature of berries, helping producers maintain a fresher, sweeter fruit. 

  Crops

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  Can a farm bill pass in 2024?

  Threats of yet another government shutdown are likely to derail a last-ditch effort to pass the agricultural spending bill. The election itself could lead to further delays.

  Crops

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  Maple syrup production to ‘bounce back’ after devastating season

  After the world's only strategic maple reserve dwindled to a 16-year low, the industry is rebuilding in the face of continued climate challenges.

  Crops

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  Chomps to open Missouri meat snack manufacturing plant

  The facility builds on a partnership with contract manufacturer Western Smokehouse Partners.

  Meat

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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.

  Meat

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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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