automation

Automation Takes Center Stage at FIRA USA Event

Dan Agri-Business, Technology

The FIRA USA conference is an annual event focused on agricultural robotics and automation, bringing together experts, growers, and tech innovators to explore the latest advancements in ag tech. Held this year at the Yolo County Fairgrounds near Sacramento, California, the event highlights solutions designed to improve efficiency and sustainability, particularly for specialty crop production. Paul Welbig, Director of Precision …

Chiquita

Chiquita Ordered to Pay $38.3 Million in Wrongful Death Case

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Specialty Crops

A federal judge entered judgment today against Chiquita Brands International, Inc. for $38.3 million, confirming a jury’s June 2024 verdict. The compensation is for the wrongful deaths of seven Colombian nationals, which a jury found were caused by Chiquita’s financial and material support to violent terrorist groups in Colombia. The six-week trial concluded with a unanimous verdict against the company. …

producers

Southeast Producers Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Receive Indemnity Payments

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, Hurricane

Southeast producers suffering Hurricane Helene related damages and losses will soon receive indemnity payments under a federal crop insurance product. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. As a result, Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days to issue payments …

four

Four Start-ups Advance in 2025 Ag Innovation Challenge

Dan Agri-Business, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)

Four start-up companies have advanced to the final round of the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, competing for a top prize of $100,000. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, hosts the annual contest to highlight entrepreneurship in agriculture. “This competition helps entrepreneurs grow their ideas into products that support farmers and ranchers in their …

farmers

Farmers Face Jan. 1 Deadline to File Federal Ownership Reports

Dan Agri-Business, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Economy

Thousands of farmers could face severe penalties, including fines and jail time, if they do not meet a new federal reporting deadline. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires businesses, including many farms, to submit Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) by January 1, 2025. A recent analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) estimates that more …

pork

Chef Competition in Vietnam Highlights Taste and Quality of U.S. Pork

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Pork, Trade, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

Chefs from across Vietnam recently competed in Porkstars, a cooking competition now in its third year, designed to promote creative uses of U.S. pork. The live streamed event is a collaboration between the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the National Pork Board, the Indiana Soybean Alliance, and the Indiana Corn Marketing Board. Indiana soybean grower Chris Eck traveled to Vietnam for …

land

Reclaiming Land along Rail Lines

Dan Agri-Business, Environment, Soil

If your farm runs along an abandoned railroad line, you may be familiar with the issues of trying to reclaim that land. Mark Oppold has the story. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

meat industry

USDA Releases Interim Report on Meat Industry Practices

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Marketing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its Interim Report: Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising. The report aims to assess how retail concentration and business practices affect competition in the food sector, with a focus on the meat industry—especially beef. This report follows President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order No. 14036, which directed federal agencies to promote fair …