Category Archives: Weekly Round Up

November 20, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday and Happy Thanksgiving to you all next week.  Here are a few of the ag law stories in the news over the past couple of weeks.  As you will see, there has been lots going on! *Appellate court affirms liability for compensatory and punitive damages in NC hog farm nuisance cases; Smithfield announces settlement.  Major developments happened at the end of this week in the nuisance lawsuits in North Carolina filed against Smithfield subsidiary, Murphy Brown.  First, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued… Read More →

November 6, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  I apologize for being silent the past couple of weeks.  Things have been crazy here between work and the ice/snow storm that knocked my power out for about three days.  I am back in the saddle now and will be rolling on getting back to my weekly blogging. Here are some of the ag law stories in the news over the past couple of weeks. * EPA approves Dicamba formulations through 2025 with additional restrictions.  After the registration for three over-the-top dicamba products was revoked last… Read More →

October 23, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  Here are some of the agricultural law stories in the news over the past couple of weeks. *Solar sheep?  NPR recently ran an article looking at the potential use of sheep in conjunction with solar farms.  In the Northeast, there have been farmers who contract with solar farms to graze their sheep under the panels.  Not all companies will consider this, but it might be an option to discuss if you are looking at signing a solar lease or have animals and are seeking grazing land. … Read More →

October 9, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  I’m here to get you caught up on some of the major agricultural law stories in the news over the past couple of weeks. *SCOTUS hears oral argument in Texas v. NM water law case in Pecos River dispute. Texas v. New Mexico was on the docket to kick off the United States Supreme Court term this week.  This case, involving a dispute over the Pecos River between Texas and New Mexico, is the first time the Justices will rule on a decision made by a… Read More →

September 25, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  Here are a few of the ag law stories in the news. * Sign up for CFAP 2 program begins.  The USDA has announced a Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, which will provide payments to qualifying farmers and ranchers.  The application period is open now through December 11.  Many of the main commodities in our area, including cattle, sheep, sorghum, wheat, cotton, and corn are eligible.  For more information and a full list of eligible commodities, click here.  Our District 1 economist, Dr. Justin Benavidez, recently… Read More →

September 11, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  We’ve had quite the cold snap come through the Texas Panhandle this week–when I was feeding on Wednesday morning, it was a brisk 36 degrees!  Here’s wishing everyone a big of a warmer weekend. Here are some of the ag law stories over the past couple of weeks. *Court dismisses western cattle groups lawsuits against NWPR Rule.  An Oregon federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Washington Cattlemen’s Association and New Mexico Cattle Growers Association challenging the Navigable Waters Protection Rule,… Read More →

August 28, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Welcome to another agricultural law weekly round up.  Here are some of the recent ag law stories in the news. *USDA issues Final Rule modifying eligibility rules to qualify for farm program payments.  The USDA Farm Service Agency issued a Final Rule making changes to eligibility requirements for farm program payments.  One expected change per the 2018 Farm Bill allows first cousins, nieces, and nephews to qualify under the definition of “family member.”  A more unexpected change dealt with modifications of definitions of “active personal management” and “significant… Read More →

August 14, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  It has been a busy few weeks for me. I want to welcome those of you joining from the Beef Cattle Short Course presentation last week.  Here are some of the ag law stories in the news this week. *CFAP program expanded, deadline extended.  The USDA announced this week that there have been additional commodities added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.  Most notably, all sheep will now qualify for payment, while previously it was only lambs under 2 years of age.  For sheep producers, the payments… Read More →

July 24, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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We’ve made it to another Friday!  Many of you saw my post on Twitter a couple of weeks ago about how dry we were back at my parents’ ranch.  I’m happy to report they’ve received 3″ of rain in the last week.  You’ll see water standing in the rows in the photo below.   It was a sight for sore eyes, for sure!   * US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholds registration for Enlist Duo herbicide.  In a much-anticipated decision, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion… Read More →

July 10, 2020 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  We are looking at a high of 108 today in the Texas Panhandle.  I hope you are all staying cool and healthy. Here are some of the agricultural law stories in the news over the past week. *Texas Wildlife Association Annual Convention available online.  The Texas Wildlife Association has curated a wonderful annual convention and has posted every session online, available to anyone, for free!  This includes my 30 minute presentation on landowner liability, which you can watch by clicking here. *USDA seeks comment on potential… Read More →