Did Iowa's largest beginning farmer tax credit create more farms?
Iowa's Beginning Farmer Tax Credit was expected to expand farmland leasing, but a new study found little evidence it created more farms statewide.
Topics
Agribusiness
Labor
Illinois Farm Bureau sees ‘moral obligation’ to protect livestock from extreme weather. It opposes temperature standards for workers.
The Illinois legislature is debating whether to become one of a handful of states to legally require worker protections from extreme temperatures. The legislation would apply to labor on the frontlines of the climate crisis, such as farm work.
Meat industry
US beef exports decrease, while imports increase under Trump
USDA projections show imports rising through 2027 as a shrinking cattle herd forces the US to buy more beef abroad. But some ranchers say the policy betrays President Trump's America First agenda and does little to lower prices for American consumers.
Health
Report: Big Food companies regularly sue to stop or slow down public health policies
The newsroom Lighthouse Reports, along with several partners around the globe, found food companies have sued more than 200 times in the past 15 years as governments have tried to rein in unhealthy ingredients in people’s diets.
Environment
Researchers identify thousands more Iowa livestock facilities than state database shows
State records list roughly 11,000 regulated animal feeding operations. A yearlong effort using federal aerial imagery, satellite analysis and state records found more than 15,000 livestock facilities, revealing a larger industrial footprint.
Government
USDA wants to revive the cotton industry. Experts aren’t sure that’s possible.
The ‘Great American Cotton Plan’ has support from industry leaders, lawmakers and MAHA. As another wave of Trump’s tariffs hit cotton producers, experts ask: Can the plan overcome decades of unsustainable practices, supply chain erosion and Brazil's growing lead?
Data Harvest
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.
All in Data Harvest
John Deere dominates farm machinery. Now it’s moving deeper into farm data and AI.
The move raises the question: Will this increase the company’s dominance in the market?
