Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

Tyson Foods is closing plants in Illinois and Utah and seeking to sell a Washington facility amid limited cattle supplies that are straining beef processor profits, the meatpacking giant announced Thursday.

The National Grain and Feed Association on Thursday became the latest major shipper group to urge federal rail regulators to reject Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s most recent merger application, adding to recent calls from chemical, fuel, fertilizer and industrial transportation interests advocating against the deal.

Dave Tenny of the National Alliance of Forest Owners argues that a bipartisan bill to address the definition of woody biomass in the RFS offers an opportunity to strengthen investment in U.S. forests and sawmills, reduce wildfire risk and bring relief to rural communities.

The White House on Thursday alleged in a new report that transshiping of Chinese goods through other countries is costing the U.S. billions of dollars a year.

USDA's latest crop report contains mixed signals for corn and soybean growers, with some robust demand signals colliding with the agency's upward revision of expected harvests. U.S. wheat remains on track for the smallest crop in nearly 60 years.