NAAJ Spot News Winners - 2022
Category description: Entries in this category cover breaking news – news that is time-sensitive and written under tight deadline. A statement of 100 words or less describing the conditions under which the story was written and/or the time significance of the story MUST accompany entries in the Spot News category. One story or package of stories (sidebars or secondary stories) published together on a single day is a single entry in this category.
Number of entries: 15
Comments about the competition: At the risk of sounding like an elementary school soccer coach, all of the entries in the Spot News category were winners. All were turned around quickly — some in a few hours, others in about a day. All were clear, well-written, and insightful. The three that bubbled to the top of this subjective process were among the most widely sourced and most in-depth. I also chose two honorable mentions that were contenders for the winners' podium. Read these top five. I believe that you, too, will be impressed. Anyone disappointed that their entry didn't win can blame it on bad judging. I hope all of these very capable journalists will enter new stories next year.
Judge: Dan Looker — Retired business editor of Successful Farming.
FIRST PLACE — Michael Hirtzer, Mike Dorning, & Fabiana Batista, Bloomberg
All of JBS’s U.S. Beef Plants Were Forced Shut by Cyberattack— 5/31/2021
Judge’s comments: This team effort was clearly the best from a strong field of entries. It was early and thorough in reporting on an event with global impact. When the multinational meat packer JBS wouldn't immediately respond after hit by a cyberattack, the reporters went to plant worker unions to get more of the story. It showed the effects on markets — commodities and stocks — as well as on USDA price reporting. And it said the hackers were likely Russian cyber criminals. Anyone who thinks agricultural journalism is an arcane backwater should read this tour de force.
SECOND PLACE — Todd Neeley, DTN/Progressive Farmer
Farms Eye Colonial Supply Disruptions — 5/12/2021
Judge’s comments: This is a well-written story with thorough reporting of the aftereffects on agriculture from a cyberattack on the Colonial pipeline. It didn't stop there but showed the EPA responding by making E15 available at East coast fuel terminals. And it covered the likely modest fuel market impacts for Midwest farmers. The extensive sourcing set it apart from many other entries.
THIRD PLACE — Emily Unglesbee, DTN/Progressive Farmer
EPA: Politics Tainted Dicamba Decision — 3/15/2021
Judge’s comments: This story is a fine example of agricultural reporters being among the best who cover the federal government. The writer clearly summarized an important leaked EPA memo and showed what it might portend for future registration of Dicamba and for litigation defended by EPA.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
— Meredith Lee, Politico
Democrats brace for massive cuts to child food aid in spending bill — 10/26/2021
Judge’s comment: An impressive scoop that was turned around quickly — in a concise, readable manner.
— Matthew Wilde, Progressive Farmer
Extreme Weather Preparedness Tips: It’s Always Storm Season on the Farm — 12/15/2021
Judge’s comments: "This is one of the best weather stories I have read — and remarkably prescient with your choice of photo of the previous derecho.”