Covering agribusiness can be difficult for reporters. Dozens of agencies and offices have their hands in agricultural affairs, and covering the industry often means also reporting on complex topics associated with climatology, economics and geology. Here are some resources to help reporters research
Danish Ombudsman Jørgen Steen Sørensen recently declared his support for the confidentiality of test results for experimental cultivation of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn. Critics, however, believe the test results should be immediately available to the public.
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
A farmer’s job does not come to a halt once harvest ends. Work continues with tasks such as planning the next growing season, attending meetings, keeping the soil tilled until the ground freezes and maintaining farm equipment. View this photo slideshow to see how some Midwestern farmers spend their
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.
In 1978, Robert "Chip" Petrea was injured while baling hay near his family's dairy farm located just outside Iuka, Ill. The injury resulted in double-above the knee amputations for Petrea. Less than a year removed from the amputations, Petrea began to farm again. Today, he serves as a principal rese
A four-day hearing on the challenges surrounding the expansion of a mega-dairy in Wisconsin showcased a community's deep divisions. A handful of speakers showed support for the dairy expansion. Many others expressed their concerns over the dairy's potential environmental impact, including a resident
Congress and The President approved a nearly $1 trillion Farm Bill last week, effectively ending an uncertain period for the agriculture industry. While many farmers and ranchers are thankful that a bill has finally been passed, some believe the elimination of the direct payment subsidy program coul
This roundup provides seven articles that can help you better understand the Farm Bill. Additionally, it also contains a gallery of central Illinois farmers that share their thoughts and opinions of the new Farm Bill.
Water-quality advocates say Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources’ regulation of large farms, known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs, is too lax. DNR acknowledges low staffing levels have strained enforcement efforts, and described the program.
In a Green Bay hearing beginning Tuesday, a controversial attempt to expand a dairy farm set to become the fifth largest in Wisconsin will be challenged in a case that could have a far-reaching impact on how Wisconsin regulates industrial-size livestock farms.
A lack of enforcement or inspections and legal loopholes are leaving migrant workers in Iowa vulnerable, cheated of wages and living in substandard housing, an IowaWatch investigation revealed.
