Climate-smart easements: The USDA has allocated $138 million for climate-smart conservation easements to prevent wetlands, grasslands, and prime farmland from being converted to other uses. (USDA)
Wage-fixing settlement: As part of a class action lawsuit, meat processors Tyson Foods and JBS USA agreed to pay a combined $127.25 million to settle claims they had fixed wages at their plants. (Meat and Poultry)
ADM ethanol probe: The Justice Department is investigating ethanol trading by Archer-Daniels-Midland as part of a larger probe into the company’s accounting practices. (Reuters)
Front-of-package labels: The FDA released examples of front-of-package food labels that it may adopt as part of an effort to help Americans improve their diets. FDA commissioner Robert Califf said the labels would “help people identify healthier food choices.” (Politico)
Warm winter, early weeds: Although mild winter weather in the Midwest has allowed many weed species to resume growing earlier than usual, conditions may be too cool for herbicides to efficiently and consistently control them. (Iowa State University Extension)