Training the Next Gen of Food Industry Managers

   

Thanksgiving Turkeys Could be More Expensive This Year

Avian flu and energy prices are pushing turkey prices to new heights, with breast meat going for more than $6.50 a pound.

Analysis: Mercaris Weighs in on Prospects for Organic Dairy Market

In 2021, organic dairy and eggs outperformed pre-pandemic levels by nearly 11%, which offers promise of potential growth for the category.

WATCH: Autonomous Sprayer Robot Unveiled

Solinftec said its scouting and sprayer robots can aid farmers by spot spraying as much as 96 acres per day.

Weather Researchers Warn of Pending Megafloods, Megaheat

California could experience “megafloods” as a large portion of the country experiences “megaheat,” according to a UCLA study.

Investment in Vertical Farming Market Continues Steady Rise

The vertical farming market is projected to be worth $20.9B by 2029 as it could better contend with droughts, transportation issues and more.

Analysis: Why Demand for Cold Storage is Sky High

The food industry feels cold storage space helps hedge against volatile agriculture prices, but such space is in short supply of late.

Dairy Raking in More Cash, but Selling Few Products

Inflation helped boost sales of dairy products more than 16% in June, but consumers reportedly bought fewer units compared with 2021.

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 3, 2022

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest in vertical farming.

Analysis: 2022’s Top Upcycled Food Innovations

Food manufacturers are looking to ingredient suppliers to provide sustainable options with the use of upcycling and regenerative agriculture.

Amid Inflation, Consumers Have a Beef with Beef Prices

Beef eaters have a tough choice to make these days: switch to cheaper proteins or swallow the more than 11% increase in prices from 2020 levels, averaging $5.40 a pound in June.

Why the Regenerative Ag Movement is Seeing Deepened Roots

Many food companies are embracing regenerative ag to aid the environment – a movement that’s increasingly extending into aquaculture.

Wheat Update: Will a Russia-Ukraine Agreement be Reached?

The global wheat outlook may be improving after the United Nations reported that Russia and Ukraine took a “critical step forward.”

No End in Sight for California Drought

Though drought conditions have improved in the Pacific Northwest and areas of the Midwest, parts of California and the Southwest have seen no relief from dry weather.

Egg and Meat Prices Likely to Ease by End of Summer

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which spread widely across the northern U.S. and pushed poultry and egg prices skyward, may be winding down, a USDA official said. Some 40 million birds have been culled, about 6% …

Inflation Alters Plans for Two Meat Processors

National Beef Packing Co. LLC has postponed the planned $100 million expansion of its Tama, Iowa, plant, citing rising costs, Meat+Poultry reported (June 10). In March 2021, the company announced the expansion, which would have …

Recent Biden Initiatives Look to Support Farmers

President Joe Biden has increased the number of counties eligible for double cropping as part of a series of actions aimed at increasing U.S. production to offset tight global food supplies sparked by Russia’s invasion …

The Current State of U.S. Agriculture

Dr. Michael Swanson discusses the current state of U.S. agriculture, including inflation, supply chain pain, fertilizers, and avian influenza.

Experts: Autonomous Equipment Could Be Game Changer in Ag

Innovation is making it easier for farmers to optimize efficiency. And with that in mind, new agricultural technologies are the focus of The Food Institute’s report this month, which will be available to members starting April 19 …

From Inside the Farm Gate to the Plate: Innovations in Regenerative Agriculture

This article is written and sponsored by HSBC. Learn how regenerative agriculture is leading us to a more sustainable future According to Feeding America, in 2019, food insecurity in the US had reached its lowest point since …

As Bird Flu Outbreak Grows, Egg Prices Spike

In the last week, the USDA has added six states to the list where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of bird flu …

Agriculture: Deere Sparks Controversy; Bird Flu Spreads to North

Farmers and advocates have filed a 40-page complaint with the Federal Trade Commission demanding that the agency end Deere & Co.’s efforts to prevent farmers and independent dealers from repairing Deere’s equipment. The National Farmers …

UPDATE: Global Food Supply Concerns Intensify Amid Ukraine Crisis

The conflict in Ukraine could cause food and feed prices to rise up to 20%, according to the United Nations food agency. The Food and Agriculture Organization said it was unclear whether Ukraine would be …

Inaugural Protein & Plant Evolution™ Conference Announced

Interactive & Educational Conference Designed to Meet the Needs of Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Food Manufacturers, Investors, Financial Services and Policy Makers, Scheduled for June 1-3 February 16, 2022/FI Newswire/ – The Food Institute and The Lempert …

African Swine Fever Sweeping Globe; is US Next?

African Swine Fever has been detected in three areas of Asia, sparking fears it could impact the pork industry. ASF affects both domestic and feral swine and is highly contagious but does not affect humans …

Ag Update: Cargill Plans to Eliminate Trans Fats by 2023

Cargill announced it will eliminate trans fats in its products by the end of 2023 to help improve consumer diets, the first manufacturer to agree to new World Health Organization standards. “Cargill became the first …

Demand, Labor Challenges Broaden Raw Ingredient Shortages

Labor issues continue to fan the flames of supply chain disruption, fueling raw material shortages and poking holes in production output, while food manufacturers struggle to keep up with volatile demand. “The U.S. manufacturing sector …

Ag Update: U.S. Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Cost Concerns

U.S. farmers are pessimistic about the current agriculture economy and the future, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer lost five points in November, falling to 116, a 30% decline …

Retailers May Force Major Changes in Chicken Production

The Global Animal Partnership plans to toughen standards, effectively lowering the number of chicken breeds that meet its animal welfare guidelines, Bloomberg recently reported. The partnership, which has a five-step process for certifying animal welfare, …

Shipt Bets on Personalization to Win Delivery Wars

Shipt (the company that brought same-day delivery to Target) is betting that people, and not processing power, will be the biggest differentiator for delivery in the coming years.

Recent M&A Illustrate Resilience of Meat Sector

Although plant-based and cell-cultured meat alternatives are grabbing headlines, the animal protein sector remains robust with plenty of opportunities for mergers and acquisitions, according to Mesirow Managing Director Paul Mariani.

Robotics Advancing Across Foodservice, Delivery, Agriculture

What seemed like something straight out of science fiction just a few years ago is quickly becoming a reality for the food industry. Robots are now doing everything from picking, preparing and delivering supplies. With …

Report: Cost of Breakfast Commodities Hits 10-Year High

The cost of ingredients for breakfast staples continues to rise as global food production, processing and transportation challenges collide with higher demand from the pandemic rebound. According to the Financial Times breakfast indicator, futures prices …

Spike in Fertilizer Prices Causing Concern in Europe

A spike in fertilizer prices has hit European farmers, leaving some to question whether to curb planting plans. Winter wheat and barley crops are being sown as many nitrogen fertilizer plants in Europe shut as …

WATCH: Armyworms Wreaking Havoc in U.S. Farm Fields

Armyworms are chomping their way across the country, destroying crops (and lawns, for that matter), and leaving masses of eggs behind. “This year is like a perfect storm,” Rick Brandenburg, an entomologist at North Carolina …

Product and Technology Gap ‘Fill-ins’ to Continue Driving Agtech M&A        

Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a big year for agtech M&A activity. According to AgFunder’s 2021 Farm Tech Investment Report, 37 agriculture technology M&A deals were completed in fiscal year 2020. As is often the case, …