Brooks Johnson

The corporate restructuring at the Austin-based Spam-maker follows heavy inflation and a dim earnings outlook.

From more meat to less waste: How Minnesota food companies Cargill, General Mills use AI

Also in this week’s food and ag roundup, food volumes fall, more on Minnesota’s soybean situation and why Halloween spending is on the rise.

Farmers are already feeling financial stress, but they hope a deal might alter what they fear is a shift that will result in permanent lower demand for U.S. soybeans.

The Minnesota Spam-maker is selling a 51% stake in the brand to Forward Consumer Partners nearly a decade after buying it for $286 million.

3M still has reshaping to do, but don’t expect a ‘big bang’

Consumers are rebelling against higher food prices by leaving more of those tasty wants on the shelf in favor of satiating needs, denting the bottom line of companies like General Mills.

Also, cheaper Totino’s pizza rolls, AI is finally finding acceptance at food and ag companies, and CHS pulls back in Ukraine because of ongoing war with Russia.

Also, Jennie-O tops the list of bird flu indemnity payments, and there’s a local tie-in for this year’s McDonald’s Monopoly game.

Not content to wait for aid or a trade deal with main buyer China, soybean farmers and groups in the state are actively courting other potential partners.