How tribes are reversing years of consolidation within the cattle industry with their own meat processing plants
Three Oklahoma tribes have opened facilities since 2000.
FTC Chair Lina Khan listens to Iowa farmers’ concerns about fertilizer plant deal
The Federal Trade Commission, a bipartisan federal agency, can investigate or file suit to block deals, such as the proposed one between Koch Industries and Iowa Fertilizer Co.
Illinois bills seek to regulate carbon dioxide pipelines and sequestration
Many Illinois residents and pipeline opponents are hoping both bills pass.
Iowa environmental groups ask EPA to protect drinking water from agricultural runoff
Inspired by a successful campaign in Minnesota, the groups are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to step in and protect drinking water in northeast Iowa from agricultural runoff.
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GRAPHIC: US ag census showed fewer farms used manure as fertilizer in the Midwest
The number of farms using manure as fertilizer decreased by 13%, according to USDA figures.
Farmers have clamored for the Right to Repair for years. It’s getting little traction in John Deere’s home state.
The Farm Bureau agreed not to support R2R legislation in exchange for consumer repair diagnostics. Farmers and repair advocates say the tools fall short.
Cancer in Iowa: What role does agriculture play in Iowa’s high cancer rates?
In a state where college sports arenas blaze with fertilizer logos, the phrase “corn grows Iowa” is common on TV and radio and nearly 15% of lawmakers are farmers, there’s reluctance to pinpoint agriculture as a possible reason for Iowa’s rising cancer rate without conclusive evidence.
Midwest maple syrup producers adapt to record-warm winter, uncertainty in face of changing climate
This year’s record-warm winter caused sap in some places to flow early, bringing challenges for syrup producers.
‘We can’t sit back’: Amid polluted water and climbing cancer rates, Iowa eyes farm chemicals
Health authorities react to rampant fertilizer and pesticide contamination in water.
Investigate Midwest event in Iowa City draws intimate crowd
Donations made at ‘Discovery in Disguise’ will be tripled to support investigative reporting of industrial agriculture.
Environment
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GRAPHIC: Farms owned by African Americans are much smaller than those owned by all other racial groups
Smaller farms — and the type of commodities Black farmers produce — lead to wide disparities in farm production and value, according to USDA research.
Extreme heat drives up food prices. Just how bad will it get?
New research shows that climate change is already fueling heatflation, with worse to come.
Tribal nations want more control over their food supply
Food sovereignty, which includes peoples’ right to healthy and culturally appropriate food and the right to define their own food and agriculture systems, is inherent to tribes, a leader says. There’s bipartisan support to work on the matter and hope for more in the farm bill.
Farmers face a precarious future. Is the Farm Bureau on their side?
At the Farm Bureau’s ‘New Frontiers’ conference, tensions flare over the future of farming.
Farmworker advocates take issue with U.S. House ag committee recommendations on H-2A program
Proposals to address the farm labor shortage would harm farm laborers financially, advocates say.
GRAPHIC: Major dairy states see 30% decrease in female producers
The loss bucks a national trend of increasing female agricultural producers.
Opinion
Net zero emission pledges by JBS must be more than hot air
The biggest meat company in the world has promised to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. But, as…