Nov. 28, 2024 The Midwest Center For Investigative Reporting
Thank you for helping us hold Big Agribusiness accountable
This holiday week offers a chance to be thankful, and for me, that starts with the gratitude I have for our readers who make the work of Investigate Midwest possible. Our entire team is truly thankful for your support.
When I look back on the past year, I’m also thankful for the tenacious work of our journalists and editors. Coverage of corporate agriculture is more important than ever. Here are five stories from 2024 that I’m thankful Investigate Midwest had the opportunity to uncover:
- Tyson Foods says recent plant closures ‘drove out waste from the business.’ Contract chicken farmers are now stuck with uncertainty and massive loans.
- America’s largest corn company, Corteva Agriscience, pledges no supply chain abuses. It’s hired a repeat offender in Iowa for years.
- How Seaboard Foods rebuilt the Oklahoma panhandle’s economy and ushered in a new era of groundwater depletion.
- Farmers have clamored for the Right to Repair for years. It’s getting little traction in John Deere’s home state.
- As he grew Nebraska’s largest hog operation, Gov. Jim Pillen prospered while the residents of many small communities suffered.
Thanks again for your support. Happy holidays!
— Ben Felder, editor in chief
GRAPHIC: Meatpacking plant workers at higher risk for severe finger injuries compared to other industries
By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest
Occupational Safety and Health Administration data from 2015 to 2023 shows over half of severe incidents that happened at meatpacking plants in the last decade have injured workers fingers and fingertips, including amputations.
Of the nearly 1,800 severe injuries that occurred at meatpacking plants, more than 900 injured a worker’s fingers.
Search the graphic.
OPINION: It's time to crack down on the meat market monopoly
By Dave Dickey, Columnist
Big Beef has a history of breaking the law if it means making more money for its shareholders and company executives. When just four companies — National Beef Packing Company, Cargill, JBS, and Tyson — collectively control 80% of the U.S.beef market, it's relatively easy to collude and manipulate prices.
And should Big Beef get caught with its hooves in the cookie jar, the playbook says admit to nothing and try to negotiate with plaintiffs and the courts for a quick settlement. Just make the lawsuits go away.
You don't have to go back very far in time to find examples.
Read more.
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.
