Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Production contracts, a target of Biden administration, are common in livestock industry
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Usually under production contracts, farmers raise animals owned by meat companies.
Climate Change
GRAPHIC: Billions in crop insurance payouts can be linked to climate change, EWG report says
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Between 1995 and 2020, the amount of crop insurance payments for drought increased about 400%, according to an analysis of government data by the Environmental Working Group.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Despite COVID-19 closings and slowdowns, pork production was higher in 2020 than the year before
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In four states with a large meatpacking footprint, production dropped 40% during outbreaks in the pandemic's first year. But overall production ended 2% higher than the year before.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Large family farms produced most beef, hogs and dairy in 2020
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Large family farms in the beef industry are more likely to operate feed lots, according to the USDA.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Just 17 plants slaughtered 65% of U.S. hogs last year
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In 2020, the majority of pork plants slaughtered relatively few pigs.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Rainfall and fertilizer runoff are linked. This county shows how.
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Runoff can lead to poisoned drinking water and toxic algae blooms.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Family farms received on average $2,167 in stimulus payments in 2020
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Overall, farm households received about $4.3 billion in pandemic aid from the federal government, according to the USDA.
GRAPHIC: How Midwest farms use computers
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Based on a U.S. Department of Agriculture annual survey collected in June, most farms throughout selected Midwest states use their phones to access the internet.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Which region’s growing season has increased the most?
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Since 1895, the U.S.'s growing season has increased by about two weeks, according to EPA data.
Graphic of the Week
GRAPHIC: Illinois pumps out pumpkins
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More than 80 percent of the pumpkins grown in Illinois will be processed into pie filling or other food products.