Did you miss some news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a collection of the top headlines in agriculture.

9 new tractors coming to a farm near you

From powerhouse John Deere tractors to Case IH quad tracks to versatile machines from Fendt, many cutting-edge agricultural machines were released onto the market this year. Farm Progress editors scoured every inch of the showgrounds at 2024’s Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days to learn more about the latest models. Check out the machines they found. – Farm Progress

Kamala Harris unveils rural agenda

Harris campaign officials say her platform focuses largely on combatting farm consolidation and other barriers hindering smaller farmers. The vice president plans to improve credit access for beginning farmers and make it easier for them to receive USDA farm ownership and operating loans. Learn more.  – Farm Futures

Deere lays off more workers in Iowa, Illinois

Deere & Co. is cutting close to 300 workers at factories in Iowa and Illinois, adding to a string of layoffs as the agricultural equipment giant copes with a slowdown in sales. Representative Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., says the layoffs underscore the need to pass a farm bill to help lift up farmers and create more demand for manufacturers like Deere. – Agriculture Dive

Related:Ten megatrends impacting agriculture: Part 1

What happens when a poultry processor flies the coop?

Pure Prairie Poultry’s sudden closing left farmers scrambling in multiple Midwestern states. Many found themselves stuck with birds they had no way to feed and nowhere to process. University of Wisconsin-River Falls student Breana Patz used her Facebook page as a platform to help.

As word spread online, Patz compiled a list of those willing to take and process the birds and coordinated volunteer drivers who could assist in the bird evacuations. Now that the barns are empty, Patz is on a mission to ensure this doesn’t happen again. – Farm Futures

How will La Niña affect winter weather?

You can rely on woolly worms or tightness of corn shucks to judge whether the upcoming winter will be mild or severe if you like. However, ag climatologists prefer to look at atmospheric circulation patterns and insight from national weather experts. See how the La Niña could affect weather in your neck of the woods this winter. – Michigan Farmer

Sunbelt Ag Expo celebrates southern farmers

After a stormy, difficult fall, the Sunbelt Ag Expo celebrates the best of rural living and honors the 34th Southeastern Farmer of the Year, who just happens to be a woman. Here’s a few of the highlights from the 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo. – Southeast Farm Press

Related:7 ag stories you can’t miss – December 6, 2024

USDA-ARS develops long-term roadmap for PFAS

A three-day workshop brought together more than 150 interagency researchers, state partners, university partners and other subject matter experts to discuss and identify key research and solutions that address the top challenges PFAS poses to agriculture, agroecosystems, food systems, and farming communities. Attendees plan to craft documents that will communicate solutions to the ag research community. – Feedstuffs