Monthly Archives: November 2018

November 30, 2018 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!   Welcome to another Ag Law Round Up. This week, I traveled to Victoria, Texas to visit with landowners there about eminent domain and fence law.  Welcome to those of you joining from that program. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *US Supreme Court rules on Endangered Species Act case.  The US Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case asking whether, in order to be designated as “critical habitat” under the Endangered Species… Read More →

Texas Mineral Owner’s Implied Right to Use the Surface

Posted on by

*Portions of this blog post were excerpted from the handbook Petroleum Production on Agricultural Lands in Texas: Managing Risks and Opportunities, available here.* One of the most surprising pieces of Texas oil and gas law may be the dominant estate rule.  What does this rule mean and how does it impact surface and mineral owners in the state? Severance of the Mineral and Surface Estates In Texas, and most other states, the ownership of the mineral estate can be separated (severed) from the surface estate.  Put another way, one… Read More →

Recorded Presentation: Overview of Texas Water Law

Posted on by

Back in January, I was asked to present at the Texas Alliance on Water Conservation Water College in Lubbock.  I offered a brief overview of Texas water law, including the different legal approaches to groundwater and surface water and a discussion of some of the key cases relating to both.   The folks at TAWC recorded the audio of me speaking along with my slide show.  If you’re interested in viewing my presentation, click here. {For more information on Texas water law, check out this fact sheet and… Read More →

November 16, 2018 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

Hello and Happy Friday! Welcome to those of you joining from my recent presentations in Panhandle, Waco, and Clovis. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news recently: *California voters pass new animal welfare law.  Earlier this month, California voters passed Proposition 12, requiring that all eggs sold in California must come from cage-free hens by 2022.  The new law will also impose restrictions on the sale of veal and pork where certain production practices are not met.  For veal, calves must have at least 43 square feet… Read More →

Best Legal Blog Contest Nominee

Posted on by

For the second year in a row, we’re thrilled that the Texas Agriculture Law Blog has been nominated as one of the Best Legal Blogs by the Expert Institute!  It’s always an honor to be recognized for the time and effort put into the blog, especially when readers were the ones who nominated us. If you don’t mind, please take a moment and vote for us in the Education and Law School category.  You can do that by clicking here. Thanks again for your support!

Talking Grazing Leases on Ag Law Today

Posted on by

Earlier this year, my friend and Texas A&M University alum, Cari Rincker, invited me to join her on her new show, Ag Law Today.  Cari and I had a video interview about one of my favorite topics, grazing leases. From why leases should be put in writing to what key terms landowners to consider, I enjoyed the chance to chat with Cari about these important considerations for landowners and livestock producers. To listen to the episode, click here.

American Agricultural Law Association Conference Review

Posted on by

Last week, I traveled to Portland, Oregon for the 39th Annual American Agricultural Law Association Conference. It was my first time in Oregon, and Portland was an absolutely beautiful city.  Being from the Panhandle, I was really taken with all of the beautiful trees and enjoyed several morning runs along the Columbia River. This conference brings together over 300 agricultural lawyers from all over the United States.  A good number of us traveled from Texas, including our 2019 AALA President, Amber Miller, from Lubbock.  I’m proud to serve… Read More →

November 2, 2018 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

Last week, I traveled to beautiful Portland, Oregon for the 39th Annual American Agricultural Law Association Conference.  On Monday, I’ll be sharing some highlights and emerging legal issues we discussed at that event. One quick note before we get into the Round Up.  The blog I posted on Monday discussing legal issues surrounding the death of a ranch hand went viral on social media.  Thanks to those of you who shared and retweeted!  This is clearly an issue you all are interested in, and rightly so.  If you… Read More →