Agribusiness

Farmers turn drone technology to the skies despite cloudy regulation

Experts predict that the agriculture industry may soon account for roughly half of all drone flights in the United States. As part of that trend, farmers from across the country gathered in central Illinois this week for the Precision Aerial Ag Show, a showcase of unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise

By Claire Everett/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and Robert Holly/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

/ 11 Jul 2014

Farmers turn drone technology to the skies despite cloudy regulation

100 years on, Panama Canal still vital to Midwest economy

When it opened in 1914, the Panama Canal introduced the harvest from Midwest farms to the world and helped link U.S. farmers to the global economy. Nearly a century-old, the canal today remains an important connector of global trade, from the U.S. heartland to Asia.

By Rick Fredericksen/Iowa Public Radi

/ 24 Jun 2014

100 years on, Panama Canal still vital to Midwest economy

Climate change threatens U.S. food security; crop insurance poised to remain hot topic

Earlier this month, the White House released the 2014 National Climate Assessment. Among its findings, the assessment reported that climate change will threaten U.S. food security and negatively effect the $330 billion a year agriculture industry. If the assessment's predictions hold true, crop insu

By Robert Holly

/ 28 May 2014

Climate change threatens U.S. food security; crop insurance poised to remain hot topic

Farmers take to Twitter to show spring planting problems

Wet and soggy conditions in some parts of the United States are delaying spring planting for farmers. The conditions have grown so unfavorable in some areas that farmers are taking to social media to publicize their problems. On Twitter, the tag “#plant14” has frequently been populated by images of

By Robert Holly

/ 19 May 2014

Farmers take to Twitter to show spring planting problems

China’s rising meat consumption draws U.S. companies

As China has rapidly shifted from a rural society to a more urban society, U.S. meat-production companies have looked to capitalize on new business opportunities. Tyson Foods Inc and Cargill, two of the largest poultry producers in the world, have already established production plants in China. Howe

By Claire Everett/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

/ 15 May 2014

China’s rising meat consumption draws U.S. companies

Reporter’s guide: basic agribusiness research tools

Covering agribusiness can be difficult for reporters. Dozens of agencies and offices have their hands in agricultural affairs, and covering the industry often means also reporting on complex topics associated with climatology, economics and geology. Here are some resources to help reporters research

By Robert Holly

/ 7 May 2014

Reporter’s guide: basic agribusiness research tools

Results from Danish Roundup trials for Monsanto genetically modified corn kept secret

Danish Ombudsman Jørgen Steen Sørensen recently declared his support for the confidentiality of test results for experimental cultivation of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn. Critics, however, believe the test results should be immediately available to the public.

By Nils Mulvad/Investigative Reporting Denmark

/ 7 May 2014

Results from Danish Roundup trials for Monsanto genetically modified corn kept secret

What to watch for as USDA readies the 2012 Census of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to release the 2012 Census of Agriculture on Friday with more specific data by state and county and by agriculture product. The National Agricultural Statistics Service released a partial report in February. The full 2012 Census of Agriculture will also incl

By Sam Robinson

/ 1 May 2014

What to watch for as USDA readies the 2012 Census of Agriculture

Slideshow: Farmers stay busy as planting approaches

A farmer’s job does not come to a halt once harvest ends. Work continues with tasks such as planning the next growing season, attending meetings, keeping the soil tilled until the ground freezes and maintaining farm equipment. View this photo slideshow to see how some Midwestern farmers spend their

By Darrell Hoemann, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Apr 2014

Slideshow: Farmers stay busy as planting approaches

‘Ag-gag’ laws on the rise

State legislators throughout the country are passing laws aimed to protect farmers from individuals who use hidden cameras to record images without consent. Recently, Idaho became the first state to have both a modern-day farm protection law and an agriculture disparagement, or “veggie libel,” law.

By Robert Holly

/ 21 Mar 2014

As Foster Farms touts its use of probiotics, FDA officials say tool not approved

In a step to reduce Salmonella in chickens, Foster Farms representatives said they are feeding probiotics to the company's poultry through the water supply. But there currently are no probiotics approved for use in livestock, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials.

By Sam Robinson

/ 18 Mar 2014

As Foster Farms touts its use of probiotics, FDA officials say tool not approved

A Second Chance: After life-changing injury, farmer-turned-researcher now teaches about agricultural dangers

In 1978, Robert "Chip" Petrea was injured while baling hay near his family's dairy farm located just outside Iuka, Ill. The injury resulted in double-above the knee amputations for Petrea. Less than a year removed from the amputations, Petrea began to farm again. Today, he serves as a principal rese

By Robert Holly

/ 16 Mar 2014

A Second Chance: After life-changing injury, farmer-turned-researcher now teaches about agricultural dangers

Farmers turn drone technology to the skies despite cloudy regulation

100 years on, Panama Canal still vital to Midwest economy

Climate change threatens U.S. food security; crop insurance poised to remain hot topic

China’s rising meat consumption draws U.S. companies

Reporter’s guide: basic agribusiness research tools

Results from Danish Roundup trials for Monsanto genetically modified corn kept secret

What to watch for as USDA readies the 2012 Census of Agriculture

Slideshow: Farmers stay busy as planting approaches

‘Ag-gag’ laws on the rise

As Foster Farms touts its use of probiotics, FDA officials say tool not approved

A Second Chance: After life-changing injury, farmer-turned-researcher now teaches about agricultural dangers

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

MEMBER OF