President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post prompted the investigation, as the price of beef has risen faster than inflation in recent years.
More from Agriculture
The last bite: Hormel’s tough run of bird flu, fire, a recall and earnings miss
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.
October 31, 2025
![Hormel headquarters in Austin, MN. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday September 11, 2015 Despite woes throughout the food industry, partly due to consumers turning away some from processed foods, Hormel has managed to continue prospering -- even though a good part of its business -- Spam, chili -- is about as processed as you can get. But the company's turkey and pork offerings are riding a hot protein trend. And over the past two years, it's made some of the biggest acquisitions in](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/527MWWMEXAN6BDVVGMMGBOERGU.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
China agrees to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually, treasury secretary says
China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually as part of an agreement reached by its leaders, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday.
October 30, 2025
Cargill laying off 80 more employees at Minnesota headquarters
The cuts are in addition to 475 local jobs the agriculture giant eliminated earlier this year.
October 29, 2025
Minnesota soybean farmers fear lasting scars from Trump’s trade war with China
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.
October 29, 2025
The last bite: Cargill profits up again with help from Trump’s tax bill
Also, abandoned farmland fights climate change and the food industry births a MAHA-countering advocacy group with a grassroots-sounding name.
October 24, 2025
Bipartisan backlash, led by Midwest politicians, rises against Trump’s comments on beef industry
Some Minnesota ranchers, though, are supportive of the president’s economic policy.
October 23, 2025
MAHA is complicated for sugar beet country as its ideals collide with livelihoods
Demand for sugar, a $3.1 billion industry for Minnesota, is down, and farmers see a direct connection with the MAHA movement.
October 22, 2025
Has the country’s greatest giant-pumpkin grower reached the end of his vine?
Tragedy planted the seed for Anoka’s world-record setter. But after a season full of surprises, retirement might be on Travis Gienger’s mind.
October 20, 2025
The last bite: Plant-based pioneers from Miyoko’s, Impossible see a vegan future
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.
October 17, 2025
Trump administration says immigration enforcement threatens higher food prices
The Labor Department warned in an obscure document filed last week that the president’s crackdown is cutting off agriculture’s labor supply and threatening “the stability of domestic food production.”
October 11, 2025
The last bite: U.K. bans ‘less healthy’ food ads. Could MAHA do the same in U.S.?
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.
October 11, 2025
Why not vaccinate Minnesota turkeys for bird flu? It could start a trade fight.
Inoculating turkeys would defend against the virus that has led to the culling of millions of birds. But there are economic downsides.
October 8, 2025
