Nov. 14, 2024 The Midwest Center For Investigative Reporting
Will Trump halt USDA's push to address seed industry consolidation?
Thirty years ago, a multitude of companies held various patents for seeds, including seeds for canola and soybeans. At the time, the top four firms controlled just 41% of corn seed patents.
Today, the top four firms own 97% of the patents for canola seed, which is used to produce cooking oil; 95% for corn; and 84% for soybeans.
Consolidation of the nation’s seed industry and an increase in patents for these genetically modified seeds has pushed up prices for farmers and created a legal “minefield” as Andy Green, the USDA’s senior advisor for fair and competitive markets, described it.
Last month, the USDA announced an effort to address seed company consolidation. But the election of President-elect Donald Trump has raised questions about whether the federal government will continue that effort. During his second term, Trump oversaw three mergers that further consolidated the seed industry.
This week’s top story takes a closer look at the history of this critical agriculture industry, the growth in genetically modified seeds and the challenge patents have created for farmers.
— Ben Felder, editor in chief
USDA sets sights on seed industry consolidation
By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest
Senior reporter Sky Chadde's latest piece highlights the uncertain future of the USDA’s efforts under the Biden administration to address concentration in the seed industry.
This new “framework” aimed at increasing transparency and providing more choice for farmers may face an uncertain future with the return of Donald Trump to the presidency. During Trump’s first term, his administration approved major mergers that consolidated seed industry power into the hands of a few key players, including Bayer, Corteva, ChemChina, and BASF.
Read more here and discover how shifting political tides could shape the industry's future.
GRAPHIC: Trump support grew in America's top farming counties despite first-term trade war
By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest
This week’s “Graphic of the Week” takes a closer look at how Trump’s support grew in top farming counties, even with the challenges from the first-term trade war.
Are these results what you expected, or do they come as a surprise? The data is a must-see to get a sense of how these shifts could shape future conversations in farming and politics.
Here's how we plan to cover the Trump adminstration
By Ben Felder, Investigate Midwest
With the election of Donald Trump, Investigate Midwest is prepared to apply the same rigorous scrutiny to his administration as we have been doing under President Biden. Our dedicated team of reporters, each specializing in key areas such as agribusiness, environmental regulations, labor, and policy, is ready to dig deep into how Trump's second term will impact the agricultural landscape. From uncovering corporate influence to tracking regulatory changes, our commitment to thorough, investigative journalism remains unwavering.
Our team is ready to hear from you. Reach out to our reporters directly via email or phone, or send us secure tips through our website. Your insights help fuel our investigative work.
Visit our site for contact details and to learn more about each reporter’s areas of expertise.
ICYMI: Farm programs, USDA would shrink under Project 2025 ag goals
By Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer
With the recent election results, now’s the time to revisit what Project 2025 could mean for U.S. agriculture. This initiative outlines big changes like major cuts to farm subsidies and a scaled-back USDA, potentially reshaping the agricultural landscape. The article "Farm programs, USDA would shrink under Project 2025 goals for ag" dives deep into these proposals and what they could mean for farmers and the entire sector.
Although former President Trump has publicly distanced himself from Project 2025, the initiative has been shaped by prominent conservative voices, including Daren Bakst, a former Heritage Foundation scholar now with the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
Bakst, known for advocating reduced USDA spending, authored the agricultural chapter of the project. As the new administration gears up to roll out its plans, understanding Project 2025’s specifics is more important than ever. This piece sheds light on how these policy shifts might impact key players in the agricultural world. We suggest giving it a look.
Read more.
Second Trump administration threatens USDA conservation, insurance programs
By Miles MacClure, Barn Raiser
This week, we're highlighting an insightful piece from Barn Raiser, on the potential changes to USDA conservation and insurance programs under the second Trump administration. Project 2025 proposes eliminating key programs like the Conservation Reserve Program, sparking concern among family farmers who rely on them for stability. While Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025, the article breaks down these proposed shifts, farmer reactions, and the broader implications for U.S. agriculture.
Read the full piece here to stay informed on what these changes could mean for the farming community.
OPINION: Is John Deere's day of reckoning soon at hand?
By Dave Dickey, Columnist
This week, columnist Dave Dickey delves into John Deere’s tightening dilemma as farmers, advocacy groups, and regulatory bodies push back against the company's restrictive equipment repair policies.
Despite agreements with organizations like the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), which were meant to ease tensions and avoid further legislative or legal actions, the issue has only intensified. These MOUs were largely seen as symbolic attempts that fell short of offering genuine, unrestricted right-to-repair access. Recent developments, including an FTC investigation and ongoing class action litigation, highlight how these measures have failed to regain farmer trust or prevent regulatory scrutiny.
As farmers grapple with the frustrating reality of embedded software codes and exclusive dealer repair rights, questions are mounting: Will John Deere adapt, or will its longstanding dominance face unprecedented challenges?
Dickey outlines the stakes, the lawsuits, and the growing farmer disillusionment as Deere's “right-to-repair” concessions reveal themselves as mere half-measures.
Read on to explore why Dave thinks trust in major manufacturers is faltering and how the right-to-repair movement may impact the future of farming machinery.
Thank you for joining us!
Our fall Storytelling event, "Lost & Found: Lost Treasures, Found Journeys," on Nov. 7 was a success, all thanks to those who joined us at Poindexter Coffee in downtown Iowa City.
A heartfelt thank you to our speakers, Molly Harris, MK Shultz, Jeff Huettman, Jordan Sellergren and Leslea Haravon Collins and our generous sponsors, Alan Swanson of Blank and McCune Real Estate and fix! Coffee. It was co-produced with the University of Iowa Events Management Certification program.
Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public as a watchdog over influential corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism.
