The federal government has a single contractor to assist with killing infected flocks, leading to delays and the use of controversial culling methods.
Bill Seeks to Increase Farmland Access for Young Farmers and Ranchers
A bipartisan bill would expand farmland access through legal help, state land programs, and low-interest loans — addressing a growing problem recently highlighted by Investigate Midwest.
A bipartisan bill would expand farmland access through legal help, state land programs, and low-interest loans — addressing a growing problem recently highlighted by Investigate Midwest.
Farmer Bankruptcies Doubled in 2024. Trump’s Trade War Is Adding to Their Financial Uncertainty.
That aid, combined with historically low interest rates and a temporary surge in commodity prices, helped stabilize farm finances and delay the financial reckoning many producers now face.
That aid, combined with historically low interest rates and a temporary surge in commodity prices, helped stabilize farm finances and delay the financial reckoning many producers now face.
Tariff Is Trump’s Favorite Word — but for Soybean Farmers, It Spells Trouble
Trump’s trade war with China could leave American soybean farmers stranded while Brazil reaps the benefits.
Trump’s trade war with China could leave American soybean farmers stranded while Brazil reaps the benefits.
Mass Terminations Have Cut USDA ‘Off at the Knees,’ Ex-Employees Say
More than a dozen recently fired USDA employees told Investigate Midwest the terminations have stalled irrigation projects, rural housing aid and efforts to combat invasive crop diseases. Remaining staff are overwhelmed, and farmers may not receive needed and timely help.
More than a dozen recently fired USDA employees told Investigate Midwest the terminations have stalled irrigation projects, rural housing aid and efforts to combat invasive crop diseases. Remaining staff are overwhelmed, and farmers may not receive needed and timely help.
Egg Prices Continue to Swing Drastically, Cracking Already Strained Grocery Budgets
Bird flu outbreaks, drought conditions and inflation push grocery costs higher.
Bird flu outbreaks, drought conditions and inflation push grocery costs higher.
‘Forever Chemical’-Laden Sewage Sludge Is a National Emergency
Risks associated with PFAS have been known for decades. EPA only released its risk assessment of the chemicals in biosolid fertilizer in April 2024.
Risks associated with PFAS have been known for decades. EPA only released its risk assessment of the chemicals in biosolid fertilizer in April 2024.
Millions of Livestock Die Each Year While Being Transported. Those Cases Are Rarely Investigated by the USDA.
Animal welfare advocates believe antiquated laws and truck driver exemptions lead to millions of farm animal deaths.
Animal welfare advocates believe antiquated laws and truck driver exemptions lead to millions of farm animal deaths.
As Foodborne Illnesses Sicken Tens of Millions Each Year, FDA Falls Behind on Mandated Inspections
A government watchdog criticized the Food and Drug Administration for failing to meet the required level of inspections each year, partly caused by disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A government watchdog criticized the Food and Drug Administration for failing to meet the required level of inspections each year, partly caused by disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Settlement Payments for Black Farmers in Years-Old Lawsuit Now Released
More than 15 years after the case was filed, many farmers are finally receiving their portion of the settlement.
More than 15 years after the case was filed, many farmers are finally receiving their portion of the settlement.
As the Agricultural Drone Industry Takes Off, Federal Regulators Struggle to Keep Up
More farms are turning to drones to spray chemicals, but proposed bans and backlog of pilot applications is challenging the growing industry.
More farms are turning to drones to spray chemicals, but proposed bans and backlog of pilot applications is challenging the growing industry.
Graphic: Bayer, Corteva Control Vast Majority of GMO Seed Patents
The USDA recently announced a new framework to address concentration in the seed industry. The agency’s hope is that it will boost transparency, promote competition and lower cost.
The USDA recently announced a new framework to address concentration in the seed industry. The agency’s hope is that it will boost transparency, promote competition and lower cost.
Graphic: Recent Tyson Foods, Butterball Meatpacking Plant Closures Highlight Industry Trend
Plants in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa have seen massive layoffs in recent years.
Plants in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa have seen massive layoffs in recent years.
‘Precision Ag’ Promised a Farming Revolution. It’s Coming, Just Slowly.
Precision agriculture has long promised to provide more granular data — and new technology to use it — for farmers facing pressure to increase yields while being more environmentally friendly. It’s had some successes, but some of the loftiest promises of precision ag are still out of reach.
Precision agriculture has long promised to provide more granular data — and new technology to use it — for farmers facing pressure to increase yields while being more environmentally friendly. It’s had some successes, but some of the loftiest promises of precision ag are still out of reach.
You Get What You Pay For: Customers Weigh Grocery Sustainability, Costs
Upon arriving at the Columbia Farmers Market, the crew sets up the farm’s signature bright orange tents and unloads the day’s offering while hoping a little of it comes back with them.
Upon arriving at the Columbia Farmers Market, the crew sets up the farm’s signature bright orange tents and unloads the day’s offering while hoping a little of it comes back with them.
Huge Organic Farm in Iowa Thrives Without Chemicals
It’s an invitation to other farmers to increase profits and limit water pollution.
It’s an invitation to other farmers to increase profits and limit water pollution.