Category Archives: Farm Bill

October 6, 2017 Weekly Round Up

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This week I traveled to Fredericksburg for the Bennett Trust Women’s Stewardship Conference and to Johnson City for the Pedernales Wildlife Management Co-Op Meeting.  This trip, I had a two-year old sidekick with me who thoroughly enjoyed the fun.  Welcome to those of you joining from these programs. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news. * Farm program payments under ARC/PLC are going out beginning this week.  Those of you enrolled in the ARC and PLC programs keep an eye on your mailboxes.  The… Read More →

October 7, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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Happy October!  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. * Supreme Court to consider landmark groundwater dispute between Mississippi and Tennessee.  A groundwater dispute in which Mississippi claims that Tennessee is over-pumping an aquifer that lays beneath both states will be considered by the United States Supreme Court.  [Read article here.] *Lots to think about before entering into a solar lease agreement.  The Texas Observer published an article this week discussing a number of considerations that landowners need to keep in mind when approached… Read More →

December 18, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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We are exactly one week from Christmas!  I hope you all are more prepared for the holiday than I am at this point!  Here are some ag law stories making news this week. *EPA violated the law by pushing “WOTUS” rule on social media.  The Government Accountability Office found this week that the EPA violated federal law in its social media campaign in favor of its “Waters of the United States” rule.  Government agencies are certainly permitted to use social media in order to provide information, but may not… Read More →

December 4, 2016 Weekly Round Up

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I have enjoyed being back on the road for several programs over the last couple of weeks.  I enjoyed the chance to speak at the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau meeting in Albuquerque, discussing undercover video investigations.  Next, I sat on a panel at the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show and fielded questions about laws related to prescribed burning and drone use.  Finally, yesterday I was in Wichita Falls presenting on grazing leases at the Cattle Trails Cow-Calf Conference.  Welcome to those of you who are new… Read More →

July 10, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve made it to another Friday!  Here are some of the interesting ag law stories in the news this week.  Also, for those of you on Twitter, be sure to follow me @Tiff Dowell for more ag law news throughout the week! * Oklahoma Supreme Court Allows Suits by Property Owners Against Oil and Gas Companies for Earthquakes.  An Oklahoma property owner who claims her home was damaged due to an earthquake she claims was caused by a saltwater disposal well can pursue her legal claim  against numerous… Read More →

June 26, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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It was a busy week for ag law!  In addition to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in the “raisin case” (read my summary here in case you missed it), here are some of the other ag law stories in the news this week: *United States Supreme Court Will Not Hear Appeal in Whooping Crane Case.  The US Supreme Court has denied a petition for certiorari filed by The Aransas Project seeking review in “the whopping crane case” as it has become known.  The case involved a claim… Read More →

March 6, 2015 Weekly Round Up

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*  Farm Bill Deadlines Extended Until March 31.  Last week the USDA announced the extension of farm bill deadlines, making all decisions due by March 31.  [Read article here.]  Producers will be allowed to make three decisions in connection with the Farm Bill:  whether to reallocate base acres, whether to update yields, and then elect between two payment programs–ARC or PLC.  To read more about these decisions, click here. * Article Discusses Underground Trespass Issue.  You likely recall from this post that the Texas Supreme Court recently avoided… Read More →

Farmers Face Important Decisions Under New Farm Bill

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The 2014 Farm Bill implemented major changes to commodity programs for United States farmers. Under this new bill, there are numerous decisions that must be made by farmers in the coming months that will impact payments they will receive in the next several years.  It is important for farmers to understand the decisions that must be made and be aware of the decision-aid tools available to help analyze the best decision possible for their operation. Covered Commodities Initially, it is important for farmers to determine if their crops… Read More →