WATCH: Mounting evidence linking industrial farming to cancer
From pesticide labels to a new report out of Iowa, there’s been a lot of news in the past week on how industrial farming may contribute to cancer in the US.
CAFOs
WATCH: Massive manure digester leaking climate-warming methane
A Wisconsin biogas facility billed as climate-friendly is emitting nearly 5,000 metric tons of methane a year — equal to 30,000 gas cars. Such digesters are meant to cut emissions, but critics say leaks, pollution and hidden costs raise serious concerns.
Manure-to-energy project touted as climate fix emits thousands of tons of methane
A Wisconsin project dubbed the “world’s largest manure biogas project” emits nearly 5,000 metric tons of climate-warming methane annually, roughly equivalent to emissions from 30,000 gasoline-powered vehicles, according to state data that adds to concerns about the impacts of large-scale manure digesters.
House Farm Bill clears committee with controversial pesticide and livestock provisions intact
After days of debate and disagreements, the House Committee on Agriculture on Thursday passed its version of the 2026 Farm Bill, which includes controversial provisions critics say will hamper the ability of states to put in place strict rules for pesticides and animal welfare.
Industry reports point to potential farm waste energy boom amid federal scrutiny
Farmers across the US are leaving potential energy lying on their fields, and have the ability to reap billions of dollars in revenue by turning animal manure, crop and food waste into natural gas, according to two industry reports released this month.
Wisconsin manure digester at the center of USDA loan trouble
Five years after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guaranteed more than $100 million to what’s billed as the “world’s largest manure biogas project”, the loans are in delinquency, which, along with operational failures and underperformance at such plants, has seemingly prompted an agency-wide pause on loan guarantees for such projects, according to The New Lede’s analysis of federal data.
Conservation groups file appeal challenging Colorado CAFO water permits
Colorado officials are failing to require legally mandated water quality monitoring near concentrated animal feeding operations, allowing for widespread water contamination with animal waste, conservation groups allege in a new legal challenge to the state.
WATCH: Michigan dairy CAFO battle – how much manure is too much?
A proposed 3,450-cow dairy in mid-Michigan is sparking fierce debate over clean water, antibiotic resistance and manure digesters. Supporters say it means jobs and renewable energy. Critics warn local rivers are already overwhelmed with dangerous contaminants associated with large livestock operations. The big question: how many animals can one watershed support?
A Michigan dairy CAFO clash over manure digesters and clean water
A proposed dairy CAFO in mid-Michigan is fueling a heated fight over clean water, manure pollution and the future of industrial farming — as supporters tout jobs and renewable energy, and critics warn local rivers are already overwhelmed.
USDA pauses manure-to-gas loans amid high delinquency, project failures
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pausing a loan program aimed at promoting anaerobic digesters — many of which are issued for large-scale farms that turn animal waste into gas — to investigate high loan delinquency rates and underperformance.