Farm Futures logo

7 ag stories you might have missed this week - March 19, 2021

Tracking the source of COVID-19, turning carbon dioxide emissions into livestock feed and a bioponic farm among news this week.

Janet Kubat Willette, E-Content Editor

March 19, 2021

2 Min Read
10.02 7AgStoriesNEW051517-1540x800_0.jpg

Need a quick look at ag news? Here's seven stories you might have missed this week.

1. Archer Daniels Midland will pay $45 million to settle a lawsuit with 12,000 peanut farmers who claimed its subsidiary Golden Peanut colluded with other processors to depress prices paid for peanuts. ADM denied any wrongdoing, but settled the case to avoid further expense from the litigation. – Herald-Review

2. A member of the World Health Organization investigative team searching for the source of COVID-19 says it likely came from wildlife farms in southern China. China shut down the wildlife farms in February 2020. These vendors supplied vendors at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. - NPR

3. The Senate approved the nomination of Katherine Tai to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative ambassador. – Farm Futures

4. A United Kingdom startup secured funds to further its plan to turn carbon dioxide emissions into food for chickens, fish and hogs. The company, Deep Branch, uses a process similar to winemaking or pickling to produce a 70% protein product that can replace conventional livestock feed. – Financial Post

5. Cargill, which is known to promote from within, has named its first female CFO. Jamie Miller, who was senior vice president and CFO at General Electric until February 2020, will succeed David Dines, who retires from Cargill in September. Miller is only the second outsider to join the closely held company as CFO. When all the recent executive team changes come into force, five out of the 12 team members will be women. – Farm Futures

6. A Georgia man is accused of trying to steal more than $1.5 million through USDA's COVID-19 relief program. Christopher Hayes, 35, claimed to own a farm - which he doesn't – in order to qualify for USDA's COVID-19 relief program that aims to help farmers who faced price declines from the pandemic. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

7. China is short on corn and more purchases are likely as the country strives to feed its growing hog herd and supplies its growing local refining industry. The China Swine Industry Journal said the country's agriculture ministry has drafted a plan to replace usage of corn and soybean meal with alternatives including rice, wheat and potatoes. – Farm Futures, Bloomberg

And your bonus.

A United Kingdom man created a bioponic farm, an organic form of hydroponics. The company uses waste materials, such as paper, card and food scraps, to create soil. The plans are grown under electric lights. – BBC News

Read more about:

Covid-19
Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like