Agriculture

Furor erupts as factory farms provide abundant food, but environment suffers

Beef, chicken and pork have become more affordable staples in the American diet thanks to industry consolidation and the rise of farms with tens of thousands of animals. Yet federal and state environmental agencies often lack basic information such as where they’re located, how many animals they’re raising and how they deal with manure.

Iowa caucuses: Farmers eye trade as key issue

The Center of Agriculture and Rural Development at Iowa State University estimates tariffs have cost Iowa’s $5.2 billion-dollar soybean industry nearly $891 million in revenue.