Latest Agribusiness Headlines

All the headlines from our Agribusiness Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Bees Endangered by Neonicotinoid Pesticides: EU Food Safety Regulator

Feb 28 2018 // Wild bees and honeybees are put at risk by three pesticides from a group known as neonicotinoids, Europe’s food safety watchdog said on Wednesday, confirming previous concerns that prompted an EU-wide ban on use of...

Alabama Agency Employee Arrested in $116K Crop Insurance Scam

Feb 27 2018 // An Alabama woman who works for Dothan’s Farm Service Agency has been arrested on multiple fraud charges. Federal authorities say 36-year-old Anna Marie Knowles, of Headland, was arrested Thursday and faces charges of...

Outlooks Revised to Positive for Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual

Feb 26 2018 // A.M. Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” of Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual...

Wisconsin Tweaks Pricing for Dairy Insurance Program

Feb 21 2018 // Wisconsin lawmakers have tweaked a federal price insurance program following criticism from dairy farmers.The Margin Protection Program for Dairy allows farmers to buy insurance that pays out when the cost to produce milk...

California Marijuana Growers Lagging in Getting Licenses, New Report Shows

Feb 21 2018 // Nearly two months after recreational marijuana became legal in California, less than 1 percent of the state’s known growers have been licensed, according to a report released by a pot industry group.The 38-page...

Monsanto Loses Bid to Stop Arkansas Ban on Herbicide Dicamba

Feb 20 2018 // An Arkansas judge has dismissed a Monsanto Co. lawsuit aiming to stop Arkansas from blocking the use of a controversial farm chemical the company makes, dealing a blow to its attempts to increase sales of genetically...

Washington Wheat Farmers Oppose Proposed Trump Budget Cuts to Crop Insurance

Feb 20 2018 // Washington state wheat farmers are protesting cuts to their safety net programs in a budget proposal released by President Donald Trump this week.The Spokesman-Review review reports growers are concerned about...

The Hartford to Acquire Foremost’s Commercial Lines Business

Feb 19 2018 // The Hartford has agreed to acquire Foremost Insurance branded small commercial lines business from Farmers.The Hartford is acquiring the renewal rights on $200 million in small commercial lines premium sold through about...

What’s Inflating Agribusiness Insurance Costs?

Feb 19 2018 // By Joe Dunn, Angel Mendez, and Scott W. DunnAgribusiness clients are acutely aware of the high premiums they pay for workers’ compensation, premises liability, health insurance and the steps they can take to mitigate...

Sompo International to Buy Italian Agriculture Insurer A&A

Feb 9 2018 // Sompo International said it has agreed to buy an Italian agriculture insurer in a bid to broaden the reach of a new, recently launched global technology platform focused on the sector.The Bermuda-based specialty...

Winter Wildfires Scorch Oklahoma

Feb 5 2018 // Firefighters say wildfires have scorched hundreds of acres in western Oklahoma, damaging fences and equipment but causing no injuries.Capt. Forrest Valentine of the Clinton Fire Department said firefighters battled two...

Western Wisconsin Had the Most Farm Bankruptcies in U.S. in 2017

Feb 5 2018 // Federal court data show that a Wisconsin district had the highest number of farm bankruptcies in the country last year.The Western District of Wisconsin had 28 farm bankruptcy cases in 2017, Wisconsin Public Radio...

French Dairy Group Likely Sold Contaminated Baby Milk for Years; Multiple Suits Filed

Feb 1 2018 // French dairy group Lactalis may have been producing salmonella-tainted baby milk for more than a decade, its CEO was quoted as saying on Thursday, adding the growing food safety crisis was likely to cost the company...

Western Wisconsin Had the Most Farm Bankruptcies in U.S. in 2017

Jan 31 2018 // Federal court data show that a Wisconsin district had the highest number of farm bankruptcies in the country last year.The Western District of Wisconsin had 28 farm bankruptcy cases in 2017, Wisconsin Public Radio...

Winter Wildfires Scorch Western Oklahoma

Jan 30 2018 // Firefighters say wildfires have scorched hundreds of acres in western Oklahoma, damaging fences and equipment but causing no injuries.Capt. Forrest Valentine of the Clinton Fire Department said Sunday firefighters battled...

Lowdown: Agribusiness Insurance Costs on the Rise?

Jan 24 2018 // This week’s Lowdown focuses on the rise in frequency, complexity and severity of vehicular accidents within the agribusiness industry. Scenarios highlighted and steps outlined to reduce risk within What’s...

How I Use Video in Training Presentations (on a budget) – Guest Post

Jan 24 2018 // There has been a lot of discussion in adult learning about how to maintain engagement in the learning environment. I have found it’s generally agreed-upon that adults are often visual/video learners. Adults today...

Oklahoma Says Farmowners Insurance Program Insurer, Rockingham, not Licensed

Jan 22 2018 // The Oklahoma Insurance Department says a farmowners insurance program being advertised in Oklahoma is not valid because the insurer, Rockingham Casualty Co., is not licensed to operate in the state.In early January,...

Legislative Panel Backs Proposal to Ban Dicamba Herbicide in Arkansas

Jan 18 2018 // Arkansas lawmakers recommended regulators move forward on Jan. 16 with efforts to ban an herbicide that farmers in several states say has drifted onto their crops and caused damage, advancing the prohibition despite a...

Oklahoma Says Farmowners Insurance Program Insurer, Rockingham, Not Licensed

Jan 16 2018 // The Oklahoma Insurance Department says a farmowners insurance program being advertised in Oklahoma is not valid because the insurer, Rockingham Casualty Company, is not licensed to operate in the state.In early January,...