The proposed Albertsons-Kroger merger is again under the microscope.
Several lawsuits are currently in the works. At hearings in Colorado and Washington State, lawyers argued the merger would decrease competition and raise prices for consumers. It has been a sticking point for state attorney generals as well as the Federal Trade Commission.
Lawyers for the chains argued Wal-Mart is the real threat, saying they have a significant price lead in the market. No decisions were made this week, and both judges have set deadlines for later next month.
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In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.
Beef industry groups seem to agree — market-based pricing, not federal intervention, best supports rancher livelihoods and long-term beef supply stability.
Harvest Pace, Logistics, and Input Costs Drive Fall Decisions
Bioethanol is becoming a global standard. For growers, that boom comes as drops in Mississippi River levels and in soybean demand occur in tandem, leaving barge space for corn and wheat.
The government shutdown has touched nearly every sector of the ag industry since it began, and now impacts are spilling over into dairy.
Southern farms are deepening online engagement for cost savings and market access, while higher-cost precision technologies face renewed scrutiny amid tight budgets.
