Food and ag sectors saw a 27% jump in ransomware attacks last year

“Last year, looking across all the critical sectors, about 5.5% of every ransomware attack that we saw impacted the food and agriculture sector.”

New data reveals that ransomware incidents jumped 32% last year across sectors, including food and agriculture. With the trend expected to continue, many are now looking for methods to protect the ag supply chain.

Jonathan Braley with the Food and Ag-ISAC spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on the threat ransomware poses, how the ag sector handles these attacks, and ways to improve cybersecurity.

Related Stories
New data from the Illinois Farm Bureau show that farm financial conditions are stabilizing, even as debt per acre and borrowing costs continue to climb.
Jonathan Braley joins us to discuss rising cybersecurity threats in agriculture, the risks of ransomware attacks, and how Food and Ag-ISAC’s new guide can help businesses better protect themselves.
ASFMRA’s Skye Root joins us to discuss shifts in Western farmland markets, financial pressures facing producers, and the outside forces influencing land values and decision-making.
Purdue University’s Dr. Michael Langemeier joins us to break down the latest read on farmer sentiment in the April Ag Economy Barometer, and growing concerns about the impact of global conflict on farm inputs and income.
Landowners interested in protecting working ground through an easement now have another funding window open until the end of May.
Paul Neiffer joined us to explain how USDA’s base acre expansion will be calculated, outline key deadlines for farmers, and discuss how the changes tie into farm program decisions and the broader Farm Bill outlook.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lily Pryer’s passion shows how National FFA members are making an impact in classrooms and communities all across Rural America.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147, joined us with his 2026 cattle market outlook and insights on beef prices.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.