Data Harvest (formerly Graphic of the Week) is Investigate Midwest’s way of making complex agricultural data easy to understand. Through engaging graphics, charts, and maps, we break down key trends to help readers quickly grasp the forces shaping farming, food systems, and rural communities. Want us to explore other data trends? Let us know here.
Want us to explore other data trends? Let us know here.
While Western grocery inflation cools, food costs reach critical highs in some emerging economies
US food prices seem to steady, but geopolitical friction keeps double-digit price hikes in Iran and Argentina.
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Energy prices drove most of May’s inflation increase
Gasoline prices were 40.5% higher than a year ago, adding pressure to farm operating costs.
Low cattle numbers raise fears of another beef packing plant shutdown
The closure of Tyson Foods’ Nebraska beef plant exposed vulnerabilities in an industry dominated by four companies. Analysts say more closures could follow if supplies remain tight.
Foreign suppliers play a key role in US fertilizer markets
US farmers depend on a global fertilizer supply chain, with Canada supplying 87% of potash imports.
In Illinois, cancer and pesticide rates typically rise together
Most counties with the highest cancer rates also had the highest use of pesticides and herbicides.
Food prices just had their highest month-to-month jump in years
Since President Trump started a war with Iran, oil prices have spiked, affecting all aspects of the economy.
Fertilizer costs are squeezing farmers nationwide
A majority of farmers report they can’t afford all the fertilizer they need as global supply disruptions push up prices.
Bayer lobbying rebounds as Roundup legal fight reaches Supreme Court
A new federal lobbying report shows the company spent more in early 2026 as the courts consider whether federal pesticide warning labels can protect companies from state lawsuit claims.
Cancer is a statewide problem in Ohio, including in the pesticide-heavy northwest corner
Ohio has one of the highest cancer rates in the nation, often linked to a variety of factors, including industrial pollution and pesticide use.
With Iran War, food prices will grow faster than originally expected this year, USDA predicts
In late February, the US Department of Agriculture had already predicted food prices in 2026 would increase faster than inflation. A month into the war, some prices will likely skyrocket.
North Dakota’s Red River Valley a pesticide and cancer hotspot
The state’s easternmost counties have the highest rates of agrichemical use and cancer rates.
Farmers plan to use federal bridge payments mainly to reduce debt
A new survey shows nearly half of producers intend to use the payments to pay down debt rather than expand operations or invest in equipment.
High pesticide-use counties often have higher-than-average late-stage cancer rates
Glyphosate data analysis shows connection to most aggressive forms of cancer across the nation’s agricultural heartland.
Argentina rarely sold beef to the US. Now, the country surpasses major trade partners.
While the domestic cattle inventory declines, reliance on South American beef products increases.
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