Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

Independent cattle ranchers continue fight against national checkoff program

Ranchers must pay $1 per head of cattle sold to an organization some say works against their interests. The organization, known as a checkoff, says it represents producers of all sizes.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 7 Dec 2021

Independent cattle ranchers continue fight against national checkoff program

New emails shed light on meat CEOs’ lobbying in beginning of pandemic

The leaders of pork company Smithfield Foods and chicken producer Perdue Farms were in regular contact with government officials as the coronavirus began sweeping through their plants.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Nov 2021

New emails shed light on meat CEOs’ lobbying in beginning of pandemic

GRAPHIC: Illinois pumps out pumpkins

More than 80 percent of the pumpkins grown in Illinois will be processed into pie filling or other food products.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 28 Oct 2021

The pandemic disrupted Americans’ access to food. Minorities suffered the most.

New USDA data shows the overall food insecurity rate remained the same in 2020 compared to 2019. However, the rate increased for Black and Hispanic Americans. Researchers say more investigation is needed to understand the data.

By Amanda Perez Pintado, Investigate Midwest/Report for America and Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 14 Oct 2021

The pandemic disrupted Americans’ access to food. Minorities suffered the most.

FBI says ransomware attacks on food and agriculture industry are increasing

In the past year, there have been at least eight hacks of companies in the industry, including the international meatpacking company JBS.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 13 Oct 2021

FBI says ransomware attacks on food and agriculture industry are increasing

USDA study shows working conditions in meatpacking plants likely drove coronavirus outbreaks

The analysis supports what many meatpacking workers and advocates suspected during the early months of the pandemic — working shoulder-to-shoulder coupled with high line speeds contributed to the virus’ spread.

By Amanda Perez Pintado, Investigate Midwest/Report for America and Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 6 Oct 2021

USDA study shows working conditions in meatpacking plants likely drove coronavirus outbreaks

DOLOR IGNORADO: En una de las empacadoras de carne más grandes del país, los trabajadores denuncian que sus lesiones fueron ignoradas

Los trabajadores manifestaron haber sido informados que sus lesiones eran a causa del "dolor de adaptación”, mismo que proviene de ajustarse a la vida en una planta empacadora de carne. Pero algunas lesiones eran lo suficientemente graves como para justificar pruebas y tratamientos adicionales. En u

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 30 Sep 2021

Kristen Kinsella in front of Guymon sign

PAIN DENIED: At one of the country’s largest meatpacking plants, workers say their injuries were ignored

Workers were told their injuries were “break-in pain,” soreness that comes from adjusting to life in a meatpacking plant. But some injuries were severe enough to warrant additional testing and treatment. In one case, a man was pushed to work with what turned out to be a fractured vertebrae.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 30 Sep 2021

GRAPHIC: Meat prices increasing faster than other goods, government data shows

Pork prices have increased by nearly 8% since July 2020, more than any other food item.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 22 Sep 2021

GRAPHIC: Meat prices increasing faster than other goods, government data shows

Tyson Foods fined $1.5 million for exceeding the legal share of the soybean meal marketplace

The company reported incorrect numbers to federal authorities and failed to maintain the required paperwork, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 27 Aug 2021

Tyson Foods fined $1.5 million for exceeding the legal share of the soybean meal marketplace

Fertilizer runoff disproportionately harms low-income communities’ drinking water. Treatment is expensive.

Researchers are trying to find more cost-effective solutions.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 26 Aug 2021

Fertilizer runoff disproportionately harms low-income communities’ drinking water. Treatment is expensive.

GRAPHIC: With farm business moving online, two-thirds of farmers own a computer

Since 2019, the portion using the internet to purchase seed, fertilizer and other supplies increased by 5%.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 19 Aug 2021

Independent cattle ranchers continue fight against national checkoff program

New emails shed light on meat CEOs’ lobbying in beginning of pandemic

GRAPHIC: Illinois pumps out pumpkins

The pandemic disrupted Americans’ access to food. Minorities suffered the most.

FBI says ransomware attacks on food and agriculture industry are increasing

USDA study shows working conditions in meatpacking plants likely drove coronavirus outbreaks

DOLOR IGNORADO: En una de las empacadoras de carne más grandes del país, los trabajadores denuncian que sus lesiones fueron ignoradas

PAIN DENIED: At one of the country’s largest meatpacking plants, workers say their injuries were ignored

GRAPHIC: Meat prices increasing faster than other goods, government data shows

Tyson Foods fined $1.5 million for exceeding the legal share of the soybean meal marketplace

Fertilizer runoff disproportionately harms low-income communities’ drinking water. Treatment is expensive.

GRAPHIC: With farm business moving online, two-thirds of farmers own a computer

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