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Agriculture

Agriculture

Chinese researchers charged with smuggling ‘agroterrorism weapon’ to infect Midwest crops

Harvest Public Media

Federal funding for these ag research labs ended. Now the search is on for new support

Harvest Public Media

Ranchers may have to relearn how to fight an old enemy — the New World screwworm

June 10, 2025

New World screwworms used to be a constant concern for ranchers, until they were eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960’s. Now that they’re on their way back, those who remember dealing with them have warnings about their impact.

A black vulture standing on a tree.

A federal bill would make it easier for farmers to kill protected black vultures

June 5, 2025

Black vultures have a reputation for killing newborn livestock, which can be a problem for ranchers in the Great Plains and Midwest. Legislation efforts aim to remove permit requirements for farmers to shoot or capture the birds. 

A combine unloads hundreds of bushels of corn into a grain cart on a farm near Greenfield, Illinois, last September. Agriculture lending is up as farm incomes have dropped.

Farmers are taking on more debt. Some worry more financial stress could be ahead

June 3, 2025

Farmers continued to take on more debt through the first quarter of 2025, prolonging a trend from last year. That’s as farm incomes have shrunk over the last couple of years, and some worry President Trump’s tariffs could make economic conditions tougher.

The Trump administration pauses a moonshot push to grow biofuel crops with less fertilizer

May 9, 2025

10 days after taking office, the Trump administration decided to hold off on a $38 million investment that the energy department had previously boasted could save farmers $6 billion in fertilizer spending.

U of I Soybean Innovation Lab Director Peter Goldsmith (left) visits Pan-African Soybean Trials in Malawi. A sign identifies the soybeans by date planted and number of plots.

Private donation allows U of I Soybean Innovation Lab to resume its work

May 6, 2025

The program previously had its funding cut by the Trump administration. An anonymous $1 million donation will help keep the lab running.

farming

Tariffs impact what crops some U.S. farmers are choosing to plant this year

April 28, 2025

Farmers are planning on putting fewer acres of soybeans in the ground this spring amid retaliatory tariffs from China and higher production costs.

U.S. farmers were already struggling to turn a profit. Trump’s trade war will make that harder

April 21, 2025

Recently implemented tariffs are likely to push crop prices further down, while increasing the costs for fertilizer and farm equipment.

USDA ended its local food programs. A look at how farmers, schools and food banks are coping

April 14, 2025

Thousands of schools, farmers and food pantries in the Midwest and Great Plains planned on federal dollars over the next year to support local food purchases. And then the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut the programs.

Tariffs threaten to upend markets American farmers depend on

April 3, 2025

U.S. row crop farmers produce enormous quantities of food, and they depend on selling lots of it overseas. They thrive under free trade policies.

Rural communities rely on this USDA agency. Trump’s cuts threaten that

April 1, 2025

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has provided billions of dollars each year to small towns, farmers and businesses.

Jennifer Duensing stands in front of a pig pen on her farm in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

An alternative to the USDA Organic label could be more accessible for farmers. Can it stick?

March 24, 2025

Certified Naturally Grown offers farmers a cheaper and less time-consuming option to communicate how they produce their food. But terms like “natural” on food labels can be confusing for consumers.

(from left to right) State Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) and Governor JB Pritzker took part in a roundtable at the Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana.

Gov. Pritzker visits Urbana as part of statewide tour focused on Trump administration’s impact in Illinois

March 20, 2025

Governor Pritzker urged Illinoisans to participate in “mass activism” and let Congress know they oppose the Trump administration’s cuts to food and agriculture programs.

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