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McDonald’s Ends 40 Year Relationship with Heinz

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

McDonald’s, the world’s largest burger chain, says it will stop using Heinz ketchup because the company’s new boss is the former CEO of Burger King.

Bernardo Hees, who led Burger King for three years, was recently appointed the new CEO of Heinz earlier this year. McDonald’s said in a statement that due to “recent management changes,” the company will transition over to a new ketchup supplier.

The move will likely benefit Heinz’s rival ketchup maker, Hunt’s which is owned by ConAgra Foods Inc. In June, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway hedge fund bought Heinz, and named Hees as the CEO.

 


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CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.