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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 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 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 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 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 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 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.