U.S. Federal Attorney

The sale of a fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa to Koch Industries is shining a spotlight on consolidation in the industry. Several groups are asking the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice to carefully review the deal.

The average farmer in the U.S. is now 58 years old, according to the Census of Agriculture, released Tuesday. There are also fewer farms in the country than there were in the last census.

The United States has imported $20 billion more in agricultural products than it exported — putting the sector on pace to run a record deficit. A look at what’s behind the numbers.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture report found “socially disadvantaged producers,” especially Black farmers, operate at a higher risk level compared to their white counterparts and are less likely to receive government payments.

The agriculture department’s annual projections show a slowing economy and lower crop prices for the upcoming year. The USDA also looks ahead to the next decade, showing rising crop yields but a competitive job market.

Some conservationists argue a recent Forest Service report will lead to more logging of old trees. They say federal forests should be left alone to soak up carbon emissions. But the Forest Service says in coming decades older trees will absorb less carbon.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture tracked white-tailed deer for a year, and detected widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

According the latest USDA Drought Monitor, Michigan began 2023 with over 30% of the state showing drought coverage.

One of the biggest news stories of 2022 was inflation. And if you’ve been listening to this station over the past year, you likely heard a lot of stories about rising food prices, how they’ve risen 11% over the past year. But what hasn’t been discussed is the cost of food waste during this period of inflation

Boyne Falls Public Schools in Charlevoix County is one of the school systems who recently benefitted from new kitchen equipment.