Author: staff

By Leah Douglas and Jonathan Stempel Jan 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday sued farm equipment maker Deere DE.N, alleging it illegally drives up repair costs by forcing farmers to rely on its authorized dealer network. The lawsuit argues Deere has unlawfully boosted profits by requiring farmers to use its network of authorized dealers for repairs, making it difficult for farmers to use independent mechanics or do repairs themselves, the FTC said in a press release. The outgoing Biden administration has targeted what it sees as anti-competitive practices in agriculture, ranging from improving the treatment of…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $2 million to make risk management training programs available for American farmers and ranchers. This funding, delivered through the USDA’s Risk Management Agency, provides resources for organizations such as universities, county cooperative extension offices, and nonprofit organizations, to develop education tools to help producers learn how to effectively manage long-term risks and challenges. Interested organizations may apply for funding by submitting documentation required as part of the Risk Management Education Partnerships Notice of Funding Opportunity. The applications are reviewed and the organizations that receive funding will enter a partnership with the RMA to…

By Aishwarya Jain Jan 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has prepared a lawsuit against Deere & Co DE.N alleging the company’s agricultural equipment repair practices violate competition laws, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The report also said the FTC was prepared to file the case as soon as this week, over concerns that the farm equipment maker had withheld key information and diagnostic tools from farmers and independent repair shops. The FTC’s commissioners have not taken a final vote on whether to file a case, according to the report. Deere and…

1. Wheat futures down slightly overnight Wheat futures were lower in overnight trading amid favorable weather in the Black Sea region.  Precipitation in the form of a wintry mix fell earlier this week in the north Caucasus and western Volga Valley — both major growing regions in the area, said Don Keeney, an agricultural meteorologist with Maxar.  Snow is forecast for parts of Belarus, northern Ukraine and the central region and rain is likely in the north Caucasus, he said.  “Snow cover should build further in northern Russia,” Keeney said. “Winterkill threats will remain low.”  Keeping prices from falling too…

When Chase Sailer decided to transition from having his local co-op apply pesticides to on-farm application, he decided to “go all in” on a John Deere See & Spray Ultimate. Sailer farms with his dad and brother in the southern Illinois community of Carmi, where they raise corn, soybeans, and canola.   Smart-spraying systems promise precision, efficiency, and considerable cost savings. Sailer has found that See & Spray delivers on that promise: He said he used it across his soybean acres in 2024 and realized a $15,000 savings in one day alone. “We sprayed 650 acres that day and filled up…

By Roberto Samora SAO PAULO, Jan 13 (Reuters) – AgResource on Monday trimmed its estimate for Brazil’s 2024/2025 total corn crop by less than 1%, citing delays in soybean harvesting as affecting the outlook for country’s key second corn crop. The second corn crop is planted after soybeans are harvested on the same fields, and represents around 70% to 75% of total corn production in Brazil. Delays in the soybean cycle may reduce the ideal planting window for the second corn crop. Brazil’s total corn crop estimate stands at 122.39 million metric tons, slightly lower than the 123.56 million tons…

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the third phase of regulatory reforms under the Packers and Stockyards Act. These updates, part of a broader effort by the Biden-Harris Administration, claim to create a more equitable system for farmers raising chickens, turkeys, hogs, cattle, and sheep under contract or for sale to meat and poultry processors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that the new rule provides chicken farmers with greater transparency regarding payment rates, introduces stability and fairness to the ‘tournament system,’ requires companies to disclose information about capital improvements necessary to maintain or renew contracts, and strengthens farmers’ ability to…

By Cami Koons Soybean cyst nematodes have been present in every Iowa county since 2017 and new survey results show the costly crop pests continue to spread to more counties across the country and in Canada.  Greg Tylka, a nematologist at Iowa State University, led the survey that has monitored the spread of soybean cyst nematodes, or SCN, since 2014, and found 31 counties in 10 states reported SCN for the first time between 2020 and 2023.  “It’s reasonable to conclude that increased soybean yield losses due to the nematode will follow, if not already occurring in these areas,” Tylka said in…

DAILY Bites Foreign-held U.S. agricultural land increased by 1.58 million acres in 2022-2023, with renewable energy projects driving much of the growth. Canada remains the largest foreign investor, owning 33.5 percent of all foreign-held U.S. agricultural land, while Chinese ownership has declined to just 0.02 percent. The USDA imposed $1.2 million in penalties for AFIDA violations in 2024, signaling heightened scrutiny of foreign land acquisitions. DAILY Discussion Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, including timberland, remains a topic of debate and concern due to its implications for national security and economic stability. New data for 2022 and 2023 reveals a…

DAILY Bites JBS USA Food Co. has agreed to provide $4 million to assist individuals and communities affected by unlawful child labor practices, with funds supporting scholarships, job training, and community organizations. The company has ended contracts with Packers Sanitation Services and introduced strict compliance measures, including a zero-tolerance policy for child labor violations in its supply chain. JBS will host industry-wide child labor prevention symposiums, hire a compliance specialist, and implement community outreach and training programs to raise awareness and prevent illegal youth employment. DAILY Discussion The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into an agreement with JBS USA…