Data Harvest

Data Harvest (formerly Graphic of the Week) is Investigate Midwest’s way of making complex agricultural data easy to understand. Through engaging graphics, charts, and maps, we break down key trends to help readers quickly grasp the forces shaping farming, food systems, and rural communities.

Want us to explore other data trends? Let us know here.

GRAPHIC: Meat and poultry production workers make up largest share of US food and beverage workforce

Of the 1.7 million workers in the industry, 30.6% labor in meatpacking, according to 2021 data.

By Suzanne Behnke, Investigate Midwest

/ 29 Mar 2023

GRAPHIC: Meat and poultry production workers make up largest share of US food and beverage workforce

GRAPHIC: While relatively rare, some get H-2A visas while already in the US

Last year, more than 20,000 people applied to either extend their H-2A visa or switch to the temporary agriculture visa from a different type of visa.

By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest

/ 23 Mar 2023

GRAPHIC: While relatively rare, some get H-2A visas while already in the US

GRAPHIC: U.S. share of world wheat production hit record low in 2022

World wheat exports dropped due to war in Ukraine and drought in the U.S.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 15 Mar 2023

GRAPHIC: U.S. share of world wheat production hit record low in 2022

GRAPHIC: USDA forecasts meat production to increase to record levels by 2032

Despite claims of ‘fake meat’ taking over, pork and chicken production are expected to reach record highs in about a decade, according to a federal analysis.

By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest

/ 9 Mar 2023

GRAPHIC: USDA forecasts meat production to increase to record levels by 2032

GRAPHIC: Half the states have no greenhouse gas reduction goals

Iowa, the second-largest emitter in the agricultural sector, is in this group.

By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest

/ 22 Feb 2023

GRAPHIC: Half the states have no greenhouse gas reduction goals

GRAPHIC: Agribusiness spent a record-breaking $165 million on federal lobbying last year

The lobbying spending represents a 20-year high.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 16 Feb 2023

GRAPHIC: Agribusiness spent a record-breaking $165 million on federal lobbying last year

GRAPHIC: U.S. ag industry has increased its foreign investments in past decade, government data shows

In particular, American companies involved in crop production have increased their foreign holdings.

By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest

/ 8 Feb 2023

GRAPHIC: U.S. ag industry has increased its foreign investments in past decade, government data shows

GRAPHIC: Iowa leads numbers in ongoing outbreak of bird flu

The Hawkeye State is followed by Nebraska and Colorado.

By Suzanne Behnke, Investigate Midwest

/ 2 Feb 2023

GRAPHIC: Iowa leads numbers in ongoing outbreak of bird flu

GRAPHIC: Number of organic farms in Iowa has gradually increased since 2000, state data shows

The USDA has strict standards for labeling food “organic.” A fraction of Iowa farms has been accredited.

By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest

/ 26 Jan 2023

GRAPHIC: Number of organic farms in Iowa has gradually increased since 2000, state data shows

GRAPHIC: Bird flu main cause of record-breaking egg prices, USDA says

Since February, more than 39 million hens died or were killed as a result of the disease.

By Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest

/ 17 Jan 2023

GRAPHIC: Bird flu main cause of record-breaking egg prices, USDA says

GRAPHIC: Hog welfare laws covered less than 3% of all hogs in U.S. in 2022, USDA says

Laws governing hog welfare are primarily in states that don’t contribute much to the nation’s pork supply, according to the USDA.

By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest

/ 11 Jan 2023

GRAPHIC: Hog welfare laws covered less than 3% of all hogs in U.S. in 2022, USDA says

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

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Data Harvest

GRAPHIC: Meat and poultry production workers make up largest share of US food and beverage workforce

GRAPHIC: While relatively rare, some get H-2A visas while already in the US

GRAPHIC: U.S. share of world wheat production hit record low in 2022

GRAPHIC: USDA forecasts meat production to increase to record levels by 2032

GRAPHIC: Half the states have no greenhouse gas reduction goals

GRAPHIC: Agribusiness spent a record-breaking $165 million on federal lobbying last year

GRAPHIC: U.S. ag industry has increased its foreign investments in past decade, government data shows

GRAPHIC: Iowa leads numbers in ongoing outbreak of bird flu

GRAPHIC: Number of organic farms in Iowa has gradually increased since 2000, state data shows

GRAPHIC: Bird flu main cause of record-breaking egg prices, USDA says

GRAPHIC: Hog welfare laws covered less than 3% of all hogs in U.S. in 2022, USDA says

Scaling Up: Pork producers are becoming more specialized

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