I was recently quoted in a monthly series called “14 in ’14,” which highlights some of the recent efforts and accomplishments of the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.     This particular article focuses on energy and the impact of the oil and gas boom going on across Texas.  The impacts of increased oil production are felt in many ways, including population increases, economic growth, and increased tax bases in communities near oil-rich areas.  In fact, 11 Texas counties are ranked in the top 50 fastest growing counties in the United States.  As the… Read More →

*This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.* Recently, the Texas Farm Bureau published an article written by Dr. John Robinson, the cotton marketing specialist here at Texas A&M and myself titled Cotton Contracting Considerations in its Texas Agriculture Magazine. The article discusses the historic use of forward contracts in selling agricultural commodities, the advantages and disadvantages of using these commodity sales contracts, and historical patters regarding contracting and marketing pools.  Dr. Robinson also discusses the 2010 cotton crop, for which prices rose to historic highs… Read More →

*This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.* A North Carolina judge will soon decide whether a shooting range is considered “agri-tourism” under state law.  The impact of this decision will determine whether the shooting range is subject to local zoning laws, but could have further impact on what activities are classified as “agri-tourism” under the law. Background Under a series of state statutes, North Carolina allows for “agri-tourism” to occur on farms and ranches throughout the state without obtaining county zoning approval.  The statute, however, did not list… Read More →

**This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.** In November, the Illinois Court of Appeals granted summary judgment for defendants in a case involving a llama who attacked a high school student hired by the llama’s owners to work on their farm.  The result likely would have been different under Texas or New Mexico law. Background The plaintiff was hired by the defendants to work on their pet store and family farm.  Even after his employment ended, the plaintiff still periodically cared for the farm animals… Read More →

**This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.** Duke Energy Corp. recently pled guilty under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to killing eagles and other birds at two Wyoming wind farms.  Specifically, the company pled guilty to killing 14 eagles and 149 other birds at its wind farms located outside of Casper from 2009 to 2013.  This case marked the first prosecution by the United States Department of Justice of a wind energy company for bird deaths pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, passed in 1918, which… Read More →