Latest Agribusiness Headlines
All the headlines from our Agribusiness Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Islamic Insurance Helps Cover Muslim Farmers Battling Climate Change
Jul 18 2024 // On his four and a half acres of land in central Pakistan, Izhar ul-Haq approaches farming as a science. He knows the precise acidity of the soil and the exact amount of brackish groundwater his crops can tolerate if mixed...
Parametric Insurance Helps Farmers and Others Hit Hard by Extreme Weather
Jul 15 2024 // Joemar Flores, a spindly 28-year-old, gestured across his family’s farmland, nestled between a steep hill and a river, and expressed gratitude for the rice paddies in the distance. They’re still there,...
After Beryl, Houston Area Farmers Come Together to Face Unique Challenges
Jul 15 2024 // PORTER, Texas (AP) — Hurricanes cause trouble for everyone, but farmers have a whole other list of problems. Beryl has been no exception: Over the past week, the storm damaged crops, soaked rabbits and chickens,...
Farmers Adjusters Cry Foul Over Workloads, Claims Handling in Letter to Regulators
Jul 15 2024 // Farmers Insurance officials said in June that they have spoken with employees after receiving an anonymous letter, apparently from a group of in-house adjusters, accusing the insurer of understaffing and overworking claims...
Origin Specialty Acquires Agribusiness Managing General Underwriter AIMS
Jul 12 2024 // Illinois-based specialty insurance broker Origin Specialty Underwriters Agency announced it has acquired Agricultural Insurance Management Services (AIMS), an agribusiness insurance-focused managing general underwriter...
Robots, Drones and Driverless Tractors Usher In New Age of Farming
Jul 2 2024 // Tractors plow the farm fields without drivers, guided by satellites and iPhones. Solar-powered robots tend to plants on the ground like giant outdoor Roombas, while drones fly overhead spraying the crops. It may sound like...
D.A. in California Sues Farmers, Other Home Insurers Alleging Scheme to Underinsure
Jul 1 2024 // Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Consumer Justice Bureau has sued multiple home insurance carriers in California, including Farmers Insurance Exchange, alleging they’re operating a scheme that...
BMS Australia Launches Agriculture Business
Jun 28 2024 // BMS Australia, the London-based specialist insurance and reinsurance broker, announced the launch of its Agriculture business with Ceri Martin appointed to lead the division. The establishment of this new business is part...
Farmers Adjusters Cry Foul Over Workloads, Claims Handling in Letter to Regulators
Jun 20 2024 // Farmers Insurance officials this week said they have spoken with employees after receiving an anonymous letter, apparently from a group of in-house adjusters, accusing the insurer of understaffing and overworking claims...
Officials Approve Large Solar Farm in Mississippi Despite Residents’ Objections
Jun 19 2024 // JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — What could become Mississippi’s largest solar energy project was approved by a county board this week over objections from people who live near the proposed site. Hinds County supervisors...
AM Best Downgrades Credit Rating of Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual
Jun 18 2024 // AM Best announced it has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bbb” (Good) from “a-” (Excellent) of Louisiana Farm...
D.A. in California Sues Farmers, Other Home Insurers Alleging Scheme to Underinsure
Jun 13 2024 // Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Consumer Justice Bureau has sued multiple home insurance carriers in California, including Farmers Insurance Exchange, alleging they’re operating a scheme that...
USDA to Enhance Crop Insurance for Michigan Blueberry Producers
Jun 12 2024 // The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is enhancing Federal crop insurance for blueberry producers in Michigan beginning in the 2025 crop year. This change will enable producers to receive different pricing and optional...
Rise in Texas Crop Insurance Payouts Driven by Drought
Jun 6 2024 // The financial costs of drought in Texas have risen rapidly over recent decades, according to a new analysis of federal crop insurance data. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group, a longtime critic of the federal crop...
AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas
Jun 5 2024 // AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bb” (Fair) from “bbb-” (Good) of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of...
USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers Impacted by Recent Storms
Jun 4 2024 // The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responding to the agricultural devastation caused by tornadoes and flooding in the Midwest. On May 24, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux signed an...
US Farmers Opt for Soy to Limit Losses as All Crop Prices Slump
Jun 4 2024 // Mark Tuttle planted more soy and less corn on his northern Illinois farm this spring as prices for both crops hover near three-year lows and soybeans’ lower production costs offered him the best chance of turning a...
Tennessee, Kentucky Tobacco Farmer Sentenced for Second Crop Insurance Fraud
May 31 2024 // A Kentucky tobacco farmer has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after pleading guilty to crop insurance fraud, eight years after he was convicted of similar crimes. David Manion, 61, who resides in...
Michigan Dairy Worker Diagnosed With Bird Flu
May 28 2024 // A Michigan dairy worker has been diagnosed with bird flu — the second human case associated with an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows. The male worker had been in contact with cows at a farm with infected animals. He...
Iowa Wind Farm Hit by Tornado, Resulting in Rare Destruction of Turbines
May 24 2024 // OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A wind farm in southwest Iowa suffered a direct hit from a powerful tornado that crumpled five of the massive, power-producing towers, including one that burst into flames. But experts say...
