Sam Robinson

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

Idaho strengthens ag privacy with new law; critics challenge constitutionality

A group of nearly 20 nonprofit groups, advocacy groups and freelance journalists filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Idaho’s new farm protection law. The 50-page complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Idaho asks the court to declare that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution, and it seeks an

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Mar 2014

Idaho strengthens ag privacy with new law; critics challenge constitutionality

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

Reporter's guide: investigating meat, poultry and eggs

Multiple federal and state agencies have roles in the regulation of our food system. When a problem occurs, producers, consumers and even members of the media can have a hard time figuring out which agency to turn to for answers. While each specific case can have its nuances, here is a general guide

By Sam Robinson

/ 18 Mar 2014

Reporter's guide: investigating meat, poultry and eggs

Floods, dry weather expected this year as temperatures rise

California, the country’s largest agriculture producing state, needs a “miracle” to prevent a water crisis as the field crops and livestock there are in desperate need of water, a USDA official said. California is now listed in D4 (exceptional drought) category of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The state

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Floods, dry weather expected this year as temperatures rise

Challenges to food safety prompt new federal action plan

A recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that Food Safety and Inspection Service is failing to protect consumers from Salmonella. The report, Weaknesses in FSIS's Salmonella Regulation , released in December, calls for mandatory recall authority and more stringent testing standards. This f

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Challenges to food safety prompt new federal action plan

Lack of evidence stopped federal recall request in 2013 Salmonella outbreak

An Office of Public Health official said the Food Safety Inspection Service agency was not able to link a specific Foster Farms product or production method directly to the Salmonella strain linked to a multistate outbreak. The U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety sector, lacked the appropriat

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Lack of evidence stopped federal recall request in 2013 Salmonella outbreak

New virus threatens U.S. pork supply

The livestock and poultry industries are poised for expansion, but a new fatal virus and low inventory could prove challenging. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) is taking its toll on the U.S. hog market. PEDv was first found in the U.S. in May 2013. Now nine months later, it is in 25 states an

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Food recalls, beef produce and dry weather cap USDA Ag Forum

The USDA’s 2014 Agriculture Outlook Forum concluded Friday with sessions on commodities, forestry, rural development and the weather. The two-day forum covered topics related to new producer assistance, food safety, and foreign and domestic markets. It also previewed the results of the 2012 Ag Censu

By Sam Robinson

/ 21 Feb 2014

Food recalls, beef produce and dry weather cap USDA Ag Forum

Diversity in farming encouraged, incentives offered

The USDA-sponsored Ag Outlook Forum takes place in Arlington, Va. this week with multiple panels and discussions on produce, farmers, markets and other U.S. agribusiness. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting is following the event live. Yet as federal officials are urging more diversity –

By Sam Robinson

/ 20 Feb 2014

Diversity in farming encouraged, incentives offered

New Census data shows decrease in the number of farms, growth in the average farm size

New agriculture census data shows the number of farms and acres in farming has gone down since 2007. The 2012 Ag Census data show counted 2.1 million farmers, a 4.3 percent decrease from the 2007 Ag Census. There was about a 1 percent loss of acreage in farm use over 2007, which is down to 915 milli

By Sam Robinson

/ 20 Feb 2014

New Census data shows decrease in the number of farms, growth in the average farm size

Census, immigration and diversity start day one of the USDA Ag Forum

Thousands are expected to gather in Arlington, Va. this week for the 2014 Agriculture Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting will cover the event with daily updates live from Virginia. Here are highlights from the first day as reported

By Sam Robinson

/ 20 Feb 2014

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

Idaho strengthens ag privacy with new law; critics challenge constitutionality

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

Reporter's guide: investigating meat, poultry and eggs

Floods, dry weather expected this year as temperatures rise

Challenges to food safety prompt new federal action plan

Lack of evidence stopped federal recall request in 2013 Salmonella outbreak

New virus threatens U.S. pork supply

Food recalls, beef produce and dry weather cap USDA Ag Forum

Diversity in farming encouraged, incentives offered

New Census data shows decrease in the number of farms, growth in the average farm size

Census, immigration and diversity start day one of the USDA Ag Forum

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