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The article discusses preparations by executives and leaders of U.S. chemical firms Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. to dismantle the companies and form the new firm DowDuPont. It examines the potential strategies for the merger-to-split of DuPont chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Edward Breen and Dow CEO Andrew Liveris.

The article profiles the U.S. startup firm Intrexon Corp. According to the article, Intrexon, led by pharmaceutical entrepreneur Randal J. Kirk, develops genetically modified organisms in an effort to produce safer food for consumption. The article also examines the efforts of French-fry maker J.R. Simplot Co. and Arcadia Biosciences Inc.

The article states that Midland, Michigan, chemical firm Dow Chemical Co. and Wilmington, Delaware, chemical firm DuPont Co. announced plans to merge on December 11, 2015. It also examines the significance of activist investors Nelson Peltz and Ed Garden of the financial firm Trian Fund Management LP to the merger, and their work with Dow chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Liveris and DuPont CEO Edward Breen.

The article discusses the potential for mergers among agribusiness firms such as Monsanto Co., Syngenta AG, and Bayer AG in the wake of advanced merger negotiations between U.S. chemical firms DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. as of early December 2015. According to the article, Dow and DuPont derive much of their revenue from pesticides and related materials.

The article states that a possible merger between Midland, Michigan, chemical firm Dow Chemical Co. and Wilmington, Delaware, chemical firm DuPont Co. would face detailed scrutiny from U.S. government antitrust enforcement agencies. The article presents comments from the firm Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Jonas Oxgaard.

The article states that Midland, Michigan, chemical firm Dow Chemical Co. chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Liveris proposed a merger with Wilmington, Delaware, chemical firm DuPont Co. shortly after DuPont CEO Edward Breen assumed leadership of DuPont in October 2015. The article states that DuPont and Dow were were in advanced negotiations to merge as of early December 2015.

The article discusses a dispute concerning the labeling of organic foods and foods made without genetically modified organisms (GMOs), known as non-GMOs, as of early December 2015. It also describes the process of an organic certification from the United States government bureau the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the certification of non-GMOs by private groups, notably the Bellingham, Washington, nonprofit organization the Non-GMO Project.

The article discusses the necessity of food producers producing more meat, particularly chicken, to meet the need for protein for a rapidly increasing global population during the first half of the 21st century. It examines the industrialization of processing poultry, the use of genetically modified poultry, and popular opinion in favor of weaning animals from antibiotics.

The article states that the U.S. agency the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the production and commercial sale of the genetically modified AquAdvantage salmon on November 19, 2015. According to the article, the Atlantic salmon was developed by Maynard, Massachusetts, firm AquaBounty Technologies, a unit of the company Intrexon Corp. The article presents comments from AquaBounty chief executive Ronald Stotish.

The article states that Swiss agricultural company Syngenta AG was in merger talks with U.S. chemical company DuPont Co. as of early November 2015, and that DuPont was in separate discussions with chemical firm Dow Chemical Co. to purchase Dow's seed and pesticide unit. According to the article, the possibility of mergers in the industry gained traction following agriculture firm Monsanto Co.'s abandoned effort to acquire Syngenta. The article presents comments from DuPont interim chief executive Edward Breen.

The article states that U.S. chemicals firm Dupont Co. announced on October 5, 2015, that chief executive officer (CEO) Ellen Kullman would retire effective October 16, 2015. According to the article, Kullman had led Dupont since 2009 and clashed with activist shareholder Nelson Peltz and his firm Trian Fund Management LP in their attempt to win seats on the board of directors after criticizing Dupont for overspending and lower profits. The article states that Kullman would be replaced on a temporary basis by Dupont board member Edward Breen.

The article states that U.S. startup companies such as Farmobile LLC, Granular Inc., and Grower Information Services Cooperative (GISC) were developing computer systems that enable farmers to collect data streaming from farm equipment for marketing to futures traders. According to the article, the startups were initiating challenges to data-analysis tools offered by large agribusiness firms such as Monsanto Co., DuPont Co., and Deere & Co. The article states that the technology could make farmers more profitable and posses more control over information.

The article discusses negative shareholder reaction following Swiss pesticide-and-seed firm Syngenta AG's rejection of a takeover bid by St. Louis, Missouri, rival agribusiness Monsanto Co. According to the article, Syngenta rejected $46 billion offer as of August 18, 2015, and Monsanto abandoned further takeover efforts. The article discusses challenges for Monsanto and Syngenta, particularly the possibility that major Syngenta shareholders could call for a special meeting for a resumption of negotiations with Monsanto or a change in management.

The article states that St. Louis, Missouri, chemical and agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto Co. abandoned its effort to acquire Swiss agribusiness company Syngenta AG on August 26, 2015, after Syngenta rejected Monsanto's latest offer. The article presents comments from Syngenta chairman Michel Demaré and Monsanto chief executive Hugh Grant.

The article states that U.S. agribusiness conglomerate Cargill Inc. planned to close four hedge funds operated by the Cargill-owned firm Black River Asset Management LLC as of late July 2015 due to a lack of investor demand for the funds. The article states that Black River earlier lost around $600 million in assets following a decision by the pension organization the California Public Employees' Retirement System. It also discusses other changes to Cargill's portfolio made by Cargill chief executive officer David MacLennan. The article presents comments from Cargill spokeswoman Lisa Clemens.

The article states that executives of Basel, Switzerland, agribusiness Syngenta AG including chief executive Michael Mack and chief financial officer John Ramsay planned to meet with shareholders in the U.S. and Europe concerning dissatisfaction with the company's decision to reject a $45 billion takeover offer from St. Louis, Missouri, chemical company Monsanto Co. in mid-2015. The article presents comments from firm 3V Asset Management AG partner and general fund manager Martin Lehmann.

The article discusses the possibility that St. Louis, Missouri, chemical and biotechnology firm Monsanto Co. and Swiss agribusiness Syngenta AG could merge despite Syngenta's protests that a merger would violate antitrust regulations. According to the article, Monsanto proposed a merger in April 2015. The article states that Monsanto pledged to sell Syngenta's entire seed business and some of its herbicide products in order to avoid competition concerns. The article presents comments from former U.S. agency the Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz.

The article discusses St. Louis, Missouri, chemical and agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto Co. chief executive officer (CEO) Hugh Grant's attempts to acquire Swiss pesticide producer Syngenta AG for about $45 billion despite repeated rejections by Syngenta. It also discusses Grant's experiences marketing the Monsanto weedkiller Roundup, his focus on purchasing small companies, and his defense of Monsanto's business practices. The article presents comments from Grant.

The article discusses concerns among U.S. farmers that a possible merger between St. Louis, Missouri, agribusiness firm Monsanto Co. and Swiss agribusiness company Syngenta AG would increase prices for seeds and pesticides. According to the article, the objections of farmers could play a role in whether U.S. antitrust regulators approve a merger between Monsanto and Syngenta. The article presents comments from the organization the Nebraska Farmers Union president John Hansen.

The article states that shareholders of the U.S. chemical firm DuPont Co. denied an effort by activist investor Nelson Peltz and other representatives from his firm Trian Fund Management LP to be elected to DuPont's board of directors during a shareholder vote on May 13, 2015. According to the article, Trian pursued four of DuPont's 12 board seats and wished to replace DuPont chief executive Ellen Kullman with Peltz in order to cut corporate expenses, review research spending, and consider the break-up of the company.

The article states that St. Louis, Missouri, chemical and agricultural biotechnology firm Monsanto Co.'s interest in the agricultural pesticide aspect of its business as illustrated by its attempt to acquire Basel, Switzerland, chemical company Syngenta AG in May 2015. According to the article, the Syngenta board of directors rejected the Monsanto offer. The article states that Monsanto was still interested in a merger, discusses Syngenta's dependence on fungicides, herbicides, and other crop-protection chemicals, and examines challenges in the seed industry.

The article discusses the significance of the votes of small investors in the proxy conflict between U.S. chemical company DuPont Co. and activist investment firm Trian Fund Management LP concerning votes for DuPont's 12-member board of directors election scheduled for May 13, 2015. The article discusses significant candidates for the board including DuPont chief executive Ellen Kullman and Trian chief executive Nelson Peltz, explains the voting process, and outlines differences between DuPont and Trian concerning cost-cutting.

The article discusses the trial of Chinese agriculture company Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co. international business director Mo Hailong. According to the article, Mo was accused by U.S. government prosecutors of stealing high-tech corn seeds developed by U.S. agribusiness companies Monsanto Co. and DuPont Co. and that the case relied on evidence gathered via the U.S. legislation the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

The article states that the agency the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on April 20, 2015, that a flock of 5.3 million chickens at an Osceola County, Iowa, farm had contracted avian influenza. The article discusses bird flu outbreaks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The article also states that Austin, Minnesota, turkey processing company Hormel Foods Corp. announced that bird flu outbreaks created challenges to its turkey supply chain.

The article discusses chief executive Ellen Kullman of industrial company DuPont Co. and her opposition to activist investment firm Trian Fund Management LP. Trian wants DuPont to cut costs and consider splitting itself into separate companies. Trian also wants to place four members on DuPont's board including Trian chief executive Nelson Peltz. Kullman says Trian's ideas could produce short-term benefits at the cost of the company's long-term viability.

The article discusses new food and agricultural technology that is drawing interest from U.S. venture capital firms. AGERPoint Inc. uses laser-scanning technology to create maps that help farmers improve yields. Freight Farms Inc. makes indoor environments for growing produce out of shipping containers. Harvest Automation Inc. produces machines that harvest crops.

The article reports that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has charged food companies Mondelez Global LLC and Kraft Food Group Inc. with manipulating wheat prices. The CFTC alleges the firms used futures contracts on wheat to drive down prices during 2011. The case represents exercise by the CFTC of enhanced powers to fight manipulation of derivatives markets granted it by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulatory reform law.

The article reports that a highly contagious strain of avian flu has infected turkey flocks in turkey farms in Arkansas and a Missouri that supply firm Butterball LLC. Topics include the possibility of international restrictions on the import of U.S. turkey; the risk of the strain to human health; and concerns surrounding the supply of turkey and chicken in the U.S. should the outbreak spread.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing planting limits for corn genetically-modified to resist corn rootworm. Producers of the seeds include Dow Chemical Co., Monsanto Co., and DuPont Co. Of concern to the EPA is the emergence of rootworms that have evolved to withstand the toxic proteins secreted by the corn.

The article reports that fast food restaurant chain McDonald's Corp. will phase out its sale in the U.S. of products made from chickens that have been fed antibiotics important to human medicine. Gail Hansen of the Pew Charitable Trusts hailed the decision, which she said would have an effect throughout the entire food industry. The announcement comes days after new McDonald's chief executive Steve Easterbrook said his company needed to make significant changes.

The article discusses the concerns of investors regarding chief executive officer and chairman Ellen Kullman's sale of shares of the chemical company DuPont Co.'s stock. Topics include the activist investment firm Trian Fund Management LP's efforts to split DuPont's businesses and concerns regarding Kullman's confidence in the company's growth and value due to details of her insider-trading 10b5-1 plan.

The article reports that futures-market operator CME Group Inc. announced most of its futures-trading pits in New York City and Chicago, Illinois would be closing on July 2, 2015. In 2014 some 31 million futures contracts were traded in CME's New York and Chicago pits, compared to 2.66 billion contracts on its Globex electronic trading platform. CME will continue to use pit trading for futures on the Standard & Poor's 500 index and for options on futures.

The article discusses the rising trend of buying and planting non-biotechnology seeds among U.S. farmers due to lowered cost of non-biotech seeds, declining farm profits, and consumer demand for non-GMO produce. Topics include how packaged food companies such as General Mills Inc. are discontinuing use of GM ingredients, whether farmers support the anti-GMO movement, and the increase in sales for small seed makers such as Superior Hybrids Inc.

The article discusses a growing tendency among activist investors to target even companies whose share prices are outperforming the broader market. Particular attention is given to Trian Fund Management LP's plans to wage a proxy fight to get four representatives including Trian head Nelson Peltz on the board of industrial company DuPont Co. Trian wants to split DuPont up into three companies. DuPont's stock has returned 190.5% since Ellen Kullman became chief executive in 2009.

The article reports that activist investor Trian Fund Management LP will wage a proxy fight to obtain four seats on industrial firm DuPont Co.’s board of directors including one for Trian head Nelson Peltz. Trian, which owns about 2.7% of DuPont, has agitated for DuPont to divide itself into three companies. DuPont’s stock has outperformed the broad market since Ellen Kullman became DuPont chief executive in 2009.

The article discusses the use by U.S. cattle farmers of DNA testing to determine which animals are most likely to produce the best beef. Neogen Corp. and Zoetis Inc. are among firms that produce the testing technology, which cattle breeders says has the same informational content about an animal's genetic value as 20 of its calves.

The article discusses how corn and soybean farmers in the U.S. have helped push up futures prices for those commodities since September 2014 by limiting how much of their harvests they have brought to market. Bharwani Asset Management LLC and Global Ag LLC are among trading firms that had positioned themselves to profit from rising crop prices but have instead sustained losses.

The article discusses the impact of railroad delays and congestion in the U.S. on grain-storage facilities and futures prices for grains. Oahe Grain Corp. and other operators of grain elevators are full to capacity and unable to accept more grain amid railroad bottlenecks that are impeding their outbound shipments. Corn and soybean futures have both seen sharp gains.

The article discusses the impact on the U.S. meat and poultry industries of consumers' increasing preference for meat from animals that have not been fed antibiotics. Perdue Farms Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc. are among producers that have directed cattle and poultry farmers to cut back on or eliminate their use of antibiotics. Farmers have been forced to figure out alternative ways to keep their cows and chickens healthy.

The article discusses the role of research and development (R&D) at industrial company DuPont Co., which investment-management firm Trian Fund Management LP wants to see split into two companies. DuPont chief innovation officer Tom Connelly says the company benefits from having its varied R&D efforts within a single firm. Ed Garden of Trian says DuPont's income statement does not reflect any such advantage.

The article discusses efforts by seed maker Monsanto Co., pesticides producer DuPont Co., and others to develop organic pesticides. Increased concerns among consumers and regulators about chemical pesticides is driving the search for microorganisms that can serve as the basis for new treatments that protect crops from pests and help them grow faster. Brian Vande Berg of conglomerate Bayer AG says serendipity plays a big role in finding useful microbes.

The article discusses reaction to activist investor Trian Fund Management LP's proposal to divide chemical-products company DuPont Co. into two separate firms. Portfolio manager Phillip Grodnick says he is receptive to Trian, although he allows DuPont chief executive Ellen Kullman has done a very good job. Analyst Bill Selesky says DuPont has been performing very responsibly. Thomas Weary of investment-management firm Lau Associates LLC says he is supportive of Kullman's strategy.

The article reports that activist investor Trian Fund Management LP will seek support from shareholders in chemical firm DuPont Co. for Trian's plan to divide DuPont into two companies. Trian, which owns almost 3% of DuPont stock, enjoys the support of the California State Teachers' Retirement System, also a DuPont shareholder. DuPont chief executive Ellen Kullman says she is already in the process of making transformative changes at DuPont.

The article discusses the advocacy for genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) of David Friedberg, who joined seed company Monsanto Co. when it bought his weather-data firm Climate Corp. in 2013. Friedberg believes GMOs are important to helping sustain a rising global population, and has sought to engage critics of GMOs while working to make Monsanto less secretive about its objectives with GMOs.

The article reports that the holding company of meat processors OSI Group Inc. was accused of selling expired meat to restaurant companies as of July 2014. Topics include fast-food restaurant McDonald's halting of orders from OSI Group, Yum Brands Inc.'s, the owner of fast-food restaurants KFC and Pizza Hut, statement that it will not buy products from OSI, and a brief history of the relationship between OSI and McDonald's.

The article discusses the divergent fortunes of dairy company Dean Foods Co. and soy-milk producer The WhiteWave Foods Co., which Dean spun off in 2013. Over a 12-month period WhiteWave's stock price has significantly outperformed Dean's, as consumption of cow's milk in the U.S. has fallen while that of soy milk has risen. In July, 2014 WhiteWave's market value is over triple that of Dean's.

The article discusses the impact on farmers and meat processors of rising global demand for protein in the form of meat and milk products. Farmers are planting more soybeans and corn that are used to feed livestock. Increased meat consumption has fueled the growth of large meat producers such as JBS SA, and prompted industry merger activity including Tyson Foods Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Hillshire Brands Co.

The article discusses chicken processor Tyson Foods Inc's successful bid in June, 2014 to acquire packaged-meats producer Hillshire Brands Co. Tyson, which competed in an auction for Hillshire against rival Pilgrim's Pride Corp., ended up paying $650 million more for Hillshire than it would had it bid the minimum amount necessary to win. Tyson chief executive Donnie Smith defended his company's bidding strategy.

The article discusses chief executive Sean Connolly of packaged-meat company Hillshire Brands Co. Particular attention is paid to a decision he must make regarding separate buyout offers from rivals Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corp. Both firms have said they have no interest in food company Pinnacle Foods Inc., which Hillshire is attempting to acquire for $4.3 billion.

The article reports that on May 29, 2014 chicken processor Tyson Foods Inc. made a $6.1 billion offer for packaged-meats producer Hillshire Brands Co. Previously Pilgrim's Pride Corp., a unit of Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA, had offered about $5.5 billion for Hillshire. Commentary is presented about consolidation in the food industry, which is said to be driven by several factors including tepid growth in consumer spending and greater pricing power on the part of retailers such as Kroger Co.