Author Archives: tiffany.dowell

2025 USDA NASS Cash Rent Rates Published

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Each year, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a nationwide survey to gather data and compile a report showing average cash rental rates across the United States.  These results are based upon the survey responses from landowners and producers around the country.  Please note that all reported cash rent amounts are listed in a per acre/per year format. To view the database with the data for each state, click here.  To view the database with data for each county in the US, click here. Pastureland The statewide average for… Read More →

August 29, 2025 Weekly Round Up

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We are here with our last weekly round up for the month of August.  Things have not slowed down in the world of agricultural law. *EPA extends comment period for dicamba registrations.  The EPA has extended the comment period on the three over-the-top dicamba registrations to September 6, 2025.  [Read article here.  Comment here.] *Texas’ most infamous groundwater lawsuits article published.  The Texas Water Resources Institute published a great article outlining Texas’ most infamous groundwater lawsuits.  If you’re into Texas water law, you don’t want to miss this! … Read More →

Texas Haying Lease Checklist

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This checklist was co-authored with Taylor Harwood, Research Fellow with the National Agricultural Law Center. To download a printable PDF copy, click here. A haying lease is an agreement between landowners and tenants that protects both parties.   The following list contains the most common and relevant terms found in haying leases. This list is not exhaustive, and not every term included here is necessary in all leases. This checklist is not a substitute for legal advice. All parties—landowners and tenants—should consult with their own attorney when entering… Read More →

Federal Court Vacates and Remands Listing of Lesser Prairie Chicken Under Endangered Species Act

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The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas issued an order last week vacating the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) listing of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.    Factual Background   The lesser prairie-chicken is a bird historically found in parts of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. The bird has faced both habitat loss and population decline since the 1960’s, and has found itself the subject of proposed Endangered Species Act protections.  In 2014, FWS listed the lesser prairie-chicken… Read More →

August 15, 2025 Weekly Round Up

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It has been a big few weeks on the agricultural law front!  We’ve got updates on several cases we’ve been following and news on new lawsuits around the country. * Federal court vacates listing of lesser prairie-chicken.  The US District Court for the Western District of Texas had vacated the Endangered Species Act listing of the lesser prairie chicken.  I will have a full blog post explaining the ruling in detail on Monday.  [Read article here.] * Federal court upholds emissions reporting exception for farms.  The United States… Read More →

Off to College? Don’t Forget The Legal Documents Every Adult Needs!

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Back-to-school season is here, and I have several friends sending kids off to college for the first time.  (Shoutout to Addie at Oklahoma State, Hudson, McKinley, and Katie at Texas Tech, and Layni at Yale!)  Certainly, the college prep checklist is full of various items to purchase and consider.  Many college students and parents overlook one key item: Having legal documents in place. Every legal adult (meaning, anyone over the age of 18 years old) should have the following legal documents in place:  Power of attorney, medical power… Read More →

Ag Law in the Field Podcast: Episodes 191-200

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If you are interested in agricultural law, be sure you are subscribed and tuning in to my Ag Law in the Field Podcast!  Each episode, I chat with some of the best ag lawyers around the country on topics that are important to ag producers and rural landowners.  We’re on all your favorite podcast apps or you can listen on our website. If you aren’t familiar with Ag Law in the Field or with podcasts in general, don’t panic.  This is simply another resource that I have available… Read More →

August 1, 2025 Weekly Round Up

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It is hard to believe we have made it to August!  Here is the rundown of some of the ag law stories in the news! EPA proposes approval of three over-the-top dicamba labels.  The EPA published a proposed re-registration of three over-the-top dicamba products for use in cotton and soybeans.  The products are: Engenia, Tavium, and KHNP0090 (formerly Xtendimax).  The proposed registrations will contain a number of additional restrictions, including a prohibition on aerial application, a 240-foot buffer, and additional mitigation steps.  Currently, public comment is open through… Read More →

“An Examination of the Implications of Proposition 12” – My Experience Testifying Before the House Ag Committee

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Last week, I had the honor of being a witness at a hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture in Washington, DC looking at the implications of Proposition 12. It was a really great experience, and I am so grateful to Ranking Member, Angie Craig, for the invitation to participate in the hearing.  I also want to thank the many friends and colleagues who helped me prepare for my testimony.  As I noted in my testimony, this is an important issue for producers and agribusinesses across the country. … Read More →

Preparing Farmers & Ranchers for the Evolution of Carbon Markets – Resources

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Dr. Jordan Shockley, Casey Matzke, and I have been working hard to develop a library of carbon-related resources through grant funding from the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center. In particular, our publications focus on what changes we are seeing in carbon markets, and what producers and landowners need to know going forward.  Whether you are someone who has already entered into a soil carbon contract, or someone who aims to stay far away from them, this information will be helpful in understanding the current situation regarding carbon… Read More →