Ben Lilliston
@benlilliston.bsky.social
Tracking the intersection of trade, climate and farm policy. @iatp.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Atrazine probably causes cancer in humans, WHO cancer agency says.
Via @stacymalkan.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/pesticides/a...
Via @stacymalkan.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/pesticides/a...
Atrazine probably causes cancer in humans, WHO cancer agency says
The World Health Organization’s cancer research agency has classified the herbicide atrazine as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
usrtk.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Atrazine probably causes cancer in humans, WHO cancer agency says.
Via @stacymalkan.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/pesticides/a...
Via @stacymalkan.bsky.social @usrighttoknow.bsky.social
usrtk.org/pesticides/a...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Check out this great segment from @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, featuring insights from IATP's @benlilliston.bsky.social, on how corporate consolidation of Big Ag is hollowing out rural America and funneling taxpayer money through farmers into corporate profits: youtube.com/watch?v=cl02K72QFS0&t
We Went to Arkansas. The Farm Crisis Will Shock You
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Check out this great segment from @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, featuring insights from IATP's @benlilliston.bsky.social, on how corporate consolidation of Big Ag is hollowing out rural America and funneling taxpayer money through farmers into corporate profits: youtube.com/watch?v=cl02K72QFS0&t
The big beef companies' model depends on paying low prices to ranchers. Is this a blip or a recalibration?
"The facility, in Lexington, employs more than 3,000 people. Tyson also announced that its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, would go down to one shift a day." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/b...
"The facility, in Lexington, employs more than 3,000 people. Tyson also announced that its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, would go down to one shift a day." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/b...
Tyson Foods to Shut Major Beef Facility in Nebraska
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The big beef companies' model depends on paying low prices to ranchers. Is this a blip or a recalibration?
"The facility, in Lexington, employs more than 3,000 people. Tyson also announced that its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, would go down to one shift a day." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/b...
"The facility, in Lexington, employs more than 3,000 people. Tyson also announced that its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, would go down to one shift a day." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/b...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Some good news from Belem. The first big beef company has agreed to report scope 3 methane emissions, and set a reduction target. Marfrig owns National Beef in the US. Will be interesting to track what they report, and how they will reduce emissions.
ICYMI: Marfrig, the world’s 2nd-largest beef producer, will become the first major beef company to disclose its Scope 3 methane emissions. The company also announced a methane reduction target that, if achieved, would be the equivalent of taking 1.17 million gas-powered cars off the road for a year.
CEO Note: A Climate First for the Beef Industry - Mighty Earth
Marfrig will become the first major beef company to disclose its third-party supplier (Scope 3) methane emissions and announced a methane reduction target of 33% by 2035.
mightyearth.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Some good news from Belem. The first big beef company has agreed to report scope 3 methane emissions, and set a reduction target. Marfrig owns National Beef in the US. Will be interesting to track what they report, and how they will reduce emissions.
I contributed a few contextual comments within this excellent piece by @moreperfectunion.bsky.social on the current challenges facing farmers, including a squeeze by powerful corporations and chaos created by the Trump Admin - www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
We Went to Arkansas. The Farm Crisis Will Shock You
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I contributed a few contextual comments within this excellent piece by @moreperfectunion.bsky.social on the current challenges facing farmers, including a squeeze by powerful corporations and chaos created by the Trump Admin - www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
Mpls Fed ag outlook not good.
a Minnesota lender offered a foreboding assessment: “If conditions continue to deteriorate on the price side there will be producers unable to farm next year.” www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
a Minnesota lender offered a foreboding assessment: “If conditions continue to deteriorate on the price side there will be producers unable to farm next year.” www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
Farm incomes decline amid strong harvests | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Third quarter 2025 Ag Credit Survey
www.minneapolisfed.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Mpls Fed ag outlook not good.
a Minnesota lender offered a foreboding assessment: “If conditions continue to deteriorate on the price side there will be producers unable to farm next year.” www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
a Minnesota lender offered a foreboding assessment: “If conditions continue to deteriorate on the price side there will be producers unable to farm next year.” www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...
A nice development for global meat giant JBS, operating in Brazil and the U.S. Prices paid to U.S. ranchers dropped in anticipation of the tariffs.
1/ Today's Farm Policy News Summary covers how "President Donald Trump on Thursday removed his 40% #tariffs on #Brazilian food products, including #beef, #coffee, cocoa and fruits that were imposed in July."
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/trum...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/trum...
Trump Removes Tariffs on Brazil Beef & Coffee - Farm Policy News
President Donald Trump on Thursday removed his 40% tariffs on Brazilian food products, including beef, coffee, cocoa and fruits that were imposed in July to punish Brazil over the prosecution of its f...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
November 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A nice development for global meat giant JBS, operating in Brazil and the U.S. Prices paid to U.S. ranchers dropped in anticipation of the tariffs.
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Pretty eye-popping numbers here. The state is helping a handful of companies with a great deal of #taxdollars. Worth noting that one of the industrial dairies that has receiving over $20 million in less than 2 years is based in Minnesota. #CAFO #industrialag
As some South Dakota dairy farmers struggle to find workers and as the state’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in the nation at 1.9%, South Dakota’s economic development office continues to approve incentives for the industry.
State continues to incentivize dairies as industry struggles to find workers • South Dakota Searchlight
Two boards affiliated with the state approved $17 million of aid for businesses this month. Most of it was for dairy operations.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Pretty eye-popping numbers here. The state is helping a handful of companies with a great deal of #taxdollars. Worth noting that one of the industrial dairies that has receiving over $20 million in less than 2 years is based in Minnesota. #CAFO #industrialag
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Highly recommend this overview of the U.S. farm system and the challenges that rural, conventional farmers face
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social @benlilliston.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social @benlilliston.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
We Went to Arkansas. The Farm Crisis Will Shock You
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Highly recommend this overview of the U.S. farm system and the challenges that rural, conventional farmers face
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social @benlilliston.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social @benlilliston.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl02...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Public grocery stores run into a monopoly problem: big grocers get better deals from suppliers. That's actually illegal, but the law that bars price discrimination to small grocers is effectively dormant. @emmarjanssen.bsky.social writes that NY is writing its own version of the law:
New York Gets Serious About Food Prices - The American Prospect
A proposed state antitrust law has the potential to cut food prices in New York, a boon to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
prospect.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Public grocery stores run into a monopoly problem: big grocers get better deals from suppliers. That's actually illegal, but the law that bars price discrimination to small grocers is effectively dormant. @emmarjanssen.bsky.social writes that NY is writing its own version of the law:
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
There goes a major talking point:
“.. The new tally leaves tariff savings failing to fully offset Trump’s signature tax-cut law, which the CBO said would add $3.4 trillion to deficits ..”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“.. The new tally leaves tariff savings failing to fully offset Trump’s signature tax-cut law, which the CBO said would add $3.4 trillion to deficits ..”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
There goes a major talking point:
“.. The new tally leaves tariff savings failing to fully offset Trump’s signature tax-cut law, which the CBO said would add $3.4 trillion to deficits ..”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“.. The new tally leaves tariff savings failing to fully offset Trump’s signature tax-cut law, which the CBO said would add $3.4 trillion to deficits ..”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
1/ Today's Farm Policy News Summary covers how "agricultural lenders surveyed in the new 2025 ABA/Farmer Mac Agricultural Lender Survey expect only 52% of U.S. #farm borrowers will be #profitable this year, signaling a sharp decline from recent years."
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/only...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/only...
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
1/ Today's Farm Policy News Summary covers how "agricultural lenders surveyed in the new 2025 ABA/Farmer Mac Agricultural Lender Survey expect only 52% of U.S. #farm borrowers will be #profitable this year, signaling a sharp decline from recent years."
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/only...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/11/only...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. They are now weighing difficult decisions, like going uninsured or finding secondary employment.
Farmers Face Prospect of Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but despite the government shutdown, tax credits are set to expire.
civileats.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
More than a quarter of U.S. farmers rely on the Affordable Care Act, but Biden-era tax credits expire at the end of the year. They are now weighing difficult decisions, like going uninsured or finding secondary employment.
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
NEW REPORT: Nearly half of all @usdagov.bsky.social food spending went to just 25 companies, with poultry giant Tyson Foods receiving the largest share despite a history of workplace safety, labor, environmental, and food safety concerns.
foe.org/resources/us...
foe.org/resources/us...
November 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEW REPORT: Nearly half of all @usdagov.bsky.social food spending went to just 25 companies, with poultry giant Tyson Foods receiving the largest share despite a history of workplace safety, labor, environmental, and food safety concerns.
foe.org/resources/us...
foe.org/resources/us...
New analysis of claims by proponents of livestock manure digesters/biogas: do they improve air quality, mitigate environmental injustice, make economic sense, act as a climate solution? Researchers found biogas industry claims overstated link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Deconstructing the Livestock Manure Digester and Biogas Controversy - Current Environmental Health Reports
Purpose of Review Anaerobic manure digesters are a hotly debated and rapidly expanding technology that extracts biogas from animal manure. We assessed claims by proponents and opponents of the technol...
link.springer.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
New analysis of claims by proponents of livestock manure digesters/biogas: do they improve air quality, mitigate environmental injustice, make economic sense, act as a climate solution? Researchers found biogas industry claims overstated link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Updated EWG database finds over $31B spent on U.S. farm conservation programs
MINNEAPOLIS – Between 2017 and 2024, U.S.
www.ewg.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:44 PM
New today: at @ewgofficial.bsky.social, we just released our updated Conservation Database. We now have conservation funding by practice for multiple different conservation programs, down to the county level for most programs. Found over $31B went to farmers 2017-2024. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
NEW: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a duty-free trade agreement between the U.S. & several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, expired at the end of September & was not renewed by Congress. Industries in these countries are already losing jobs. What comes next? www.iatp.org/end-of-agoa
The End of AGOA? A time for a reset and diversification for the African Union
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is dead — at least for now, and some businesses in both the U.S.
www.iatp.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
NEW: The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a duty-free trade agreement between the U.S. & several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, expired at the end of September & was not renewed by Congress. Industries in these countries are already losing jobs. What comes next? www.iatp.org/end-of-agoa
A China purchase of soy was announced yesterday, but they are still far from the target the Trump Admin has touted for 2025. What about for 26-28? Here, I dig into what we know about ag in the US-China deal & how to assess Trump Admin announcements on trade vs binding agreements.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on certain goods. But many questions remain about the details of the agreement, leaving farmers with more uncertainty. Our latest from @benlilliston.bsky.social: www.iatp.org/china-trade-...
Is the deal with China an agreement or a handshake?
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a deal with China that would open up trade on precious minerals, lower tariffs, and increase agricultural purchases.
www.iatp.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A China purchase of soy was announced yesterday, but they are still far from the target the Trump Admin has touted for 2025. What about for 26-28? Here, I dig into what we know about ag in the US-China deal & how to assess Trump Admin announcements on trade vs binding agreements.
It's really helpful to the nation's largest polluters - incl fossil fuel global agbiz - to have a group of state AGs carry your water in fighting even the most basic climate reporting laws. iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/iowa-...
Iowa AG leads brief against California climate reporting laws • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Attorneys general from 25 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a stay on California emissions reporting laws.
iowacapitaldispatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It's really helpful to the nation's largest polluters - incl fossil fuel global agbiz - to have a group of state AGs carry your water in fighting even the most basic climate reporting laws. iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/iowa-...
Global meat giant JBS, following its pattern of buying up smaller firms, expands its position in the US egg market - www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
JBS Venture Agrees to Buy Hickman’s in Push for US Egg Market
Mantiqueira USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the joint venture between JBS and the founders of Mantiqueira Alimentos, entered into a binding agreement to acquire Hickman’s Egg Ranch, expanding t...
www.bloomberg.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Global meat giant JBS, following its pattern of buying up smaller firms, expands its position in the US egg market - www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
NEW: We traced out a devastating outbreak of bird flu to its source: an egg farm in Ohio. Where the wind blew, the virus followed.
Within weeks, the farms downwind were about 20 times as likely to see outbreaks as those that weren’t.
Within weeks, the farms downwind were about 20 times as likely to see outbreaks as those that weren’t.
What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic
Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vaccines could help, but the USDA hasn’t approved them.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: We traced out a devastating outbreak of bird flu to its source: an egg farm in Ohio. Where the wind blew, the virus followed.
Within weeks, the farms downwind were about 20 times as likely to see outbreaks as those that weren’t.
Within weeks, the farms downwind were about 20 times as likely to see outbreaks as those that weren’t.
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
We and our allies reached a settlement on behalf of @ewgofficial.bsky.social for Tyson to stop making climate claims. Big Ag needs to know that we're protecting consumers from their greenwashing.
More ➡️ farmstand.org/tyson-foods-...
@animallegaldefense.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
More ➡️ farmstand.org/tyson-foods-...
@animallegaldefense.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We and our allies reached a settlement on behalf of @ewgofficial.bsky.social for Tyson to stop making climate claims. Big Ag needs to know that we're protecting consumers from their greenwashing.
More ➡️ farmstand.org/tyson-foods-...
@animallegaldefense.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
More ➡️ farmstand.org/tyson-foods-...
@animallegaldefense.bsky.social @earthjustice.org
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
Potato giant R.D. Offutt agrees to pay 442 Minnesota workers for sick leave violations minnesotareformer.com/briefs/potat...
Potato giant R.D. Offutt agrees to pay 442 Minnesota workers for sick leave violations • Minnesota Reformer
Fargo-based R.D. Offutt Farms, one of the largest potato growers in the world, agreed to pay $82,770 to 442 workers for failing to provide sick leave in 2024 as part of a settlement with the Minnesota...
minnesotareformer.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Potato giant R.D. Offutt agrees to pay 442 Minnesota workers for sick leave violations minnesotareformer.com/briefs/potat...
Reposted by Ben Lilliston
🌐Today’s agricultural #trade rules do not meet the environmental, social & economic challenges of our time. To change this, scholars & practitioners have developed a 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘆, a new set of global rules to govern agricultural trade.
Summary 👉 t.ly/gm0Mu
About 👉 t.ly/hUvBr
@iatp.bsky.social
Summary 👉 t.ly/gm0Mu
About 👉 t.ly/hUvBr
@iatp.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
🌐Today’s agricultural #trade rules do not meet the environmental, social & economic challenges of our time. To change this, scholars & practitioners have developed a 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘆, a new set of global rules to govern agricultural trade.
Summary 👉 t.ly/gm0Mu
About 👉 t.ly/hUvBr
@iatp.bsky.social
Summary 👉 t.ly/gm0Mu
About 👉 t.ly/hUvBr
@iatp.bsky.social