Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

Scaling Up: Raising hogs has gotten less expensive, especially for big farms

Technological innovation, specialization, increased farm size and policy decisions have driven down the cost of production.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 28 Sep 2022

Scaling Up: Raising hogs has gotten less expensive, especially for big farms

Scaling Up: Use of production contracts has become the norm

Production contracts lock farmers into guaranteed prices and lower financial risk, but put meat companies in control of some aspects of the operation.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 21 Sep 2022

Scaling Up: Use of production contracts has become the norm

Scaling Up: Pork producers are becoming more specialized

So-called farrow-to-finish operations have become a smaller and smaller share of the hog industry as more specialized operations have taken over, according to a recent study published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 14 Sep 2022

Scaling Up: Pork producers are becoming more specialized

Scaling Up: The weighty impact of hog farming's evolution?

Since the 1990s, hog farms have gotten bigger, more specialized and more productive, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Environmental Research Service.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 7 Sep 2022

Scaling Up: The weighty impact of hog farming's evolution?

In Washington, agricultural policymakers circulate among Farm Bureau, USDA and industry

Dozens of USDA leaders had Farm Bureau connections before joining the agency.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 24 Aug 2022

In Washington, agricultural policymakers circulate among Farm Bureau, USDA and industry

GRAPHIC: As enrolled acres decline, CRP payment rates have increased

Through the Conservation Reserve Program, the USDA pays farmers not to plant crops on land.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 17 Aug 2022

GRAPHIC: As enrolled acres decline, CRP payment rates have increased

Se prensó el pie en el trabajo. Cuando pidió una compensación por los salarios perdidos, le dijeron que no.

En Michigan, a los trabajadores que son indocumentados y se lesionan en el trabajo se les niegan las prestaciones por pérdida de salarios, basándose "únicamente" en su estatus migratorio, según una demanda.

By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest and Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Aug 2022

Se prensó el pie en el trabajo. Cuando pidió una compensación por los salarios perdidos, le dijeron que no.

Big Ag companies largely silent in wake of Roe v. Wade reversal

Over the past month, Investigate Midwest contacted 11 leading Big Ag companies about their health care policies regarding abortion. Only one answered our questions.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest, Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest, Kendall Little, Investigate Midwest, Aruni Soni, Investigate Midwest, Heather Robinson, Investigate Midwest, Mary Norkol, Investigate Midwest and Marley Schultz, Investigate Midwest

/ 28 Jul 2022

Big Ag companies largely silent in wake of Roe v. Wade reversal

GRAPHIC: Most American corn isn’t destined for the dinner table

The majority of corn produced in the U.S. is used in animal feed and biofuel.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 27 Jul 2022

GRAPHIC: Most American corn isn’t destined for the dinner table

Her foot was crushed on the job. When she asked to be compensated for lost wages, 'they said no.'

In Michigan, workers who are undocumented and get injured on the job are being denied wage-loss benefits based “solely” on their immigration status, according to a lawsuit.

By sky-chadde-and-madison-mcvan-investigate-midwest, Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest and Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 21 Jul 2022

Her foot was crushed on the job. When she asked to be compensated for lost wages, 'they said no.'

OSHA cites Seaboard Foods pork plant for failing to document worker injuries and illnesses

In May, the agency forced Seaboard Foods to make changes to its Guymon, Oklahoma, facility to better protect workers.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 8 Jun 2022

OSHA cites Seaboard Foods pork plant for failing to document worker injuries and illnesses

OSHA requires JBS to implement disease preparedness measures at seven plants

A team of third-party experts will help reduce employee coronavirus exposure and prepare for potential future outbreaks.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 2 Jun 2022

Scaling Up: Raising hogs has gotten less expensive, especially for big farms

Scaling Up: Use of production contracts has become the norm

Scaling Up: Pork producers are becoming more specialized

Scaling Up: The weighty impact of hog farming's evolution?

In Washington, agricultural policymakers circulate among Farm Bureau, USDA and industry

GRAPHIC: As enrolled acres decline, CRP payment rates have increased

Se prensó el pie en el trabajo. Cuando pidió una compensación por los salarios perdidos, le dijeron que no.

Big Ag companies largely silent in wake of Roe v. Wade reversal

GRAPHIC: Most American corn isn’t destined for the dinner table

Her foot was crushed on the job. When she asked to be compensated for lost wages, 'they said no.'

OSHA cites Seaboard Foods pork plant for failing to document worker injuries and illnesses

OSHA requires JBS to implement disease preparedness measures at seven plants

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