Land Values 2024 Summary Published

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In August, the USDA released its annual Land Values Summary for 2024.  [View report here.]  This report looks at the average value for agricultural real estate across the country. As has been true for several years, the most recent report indicates increasing values nationwide over the past year.   For “farm real estate value,” which takes into account the value of all land and buildings on farms, the US average value was $4,170/acre, up 5% from 2023.  For cropland, the nationwide average value increased 4.7% to $5,570/acre.  For pastureland,… Read More →

Texas Landowner Border Law Handbook

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We are excited to announce the release of our Texas Landowner Border Law Handbook! After fielding questions from border landowners via email, phone, and at presentations related to the laws applicable to their situation, we decided to write a handbook collecting information in one place.  Our hope is that this handbook can be a helpful resource for landowners looking to understand the applicable laws and contact the appropriate authorities for help. Download your free copy here.

September 27, 2024 Weekly Round Up

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Happy Friday!  It has been a whirlwind of a month around here.  Thank you to those of you who I have seen on the road at in person presentations–it has been fun getting to connect face-to-face with so many readers. There has been a lot of news on the agricultural law front. * Lawsuit filed against Tyson “climate smart beef” claims. The Environmental Working Group has filed suit claiming that Tyson’s marketing “climate friendly” beef is misleading consumers.  Tyson sells some beef with a “climate smart” label and has… Read More →

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Hope That Nobody Can Take from Us

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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know the topic of mental health–particularly that in rural America and among agricultural producers–is very important to me.  It is my honor to be able to work, even slightly, in this space. Ag Law in the Field Podcast Episode  Each year, I record a podcast episode to honor Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  To listen to all of my podcast episodes focused on mental health, click here.  These have been… Read More →

Ag Law in the Field Podcast: Episodes 171-180

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Did you know that I host a podcast about agricultural law called Ag Law in the Field?  It’s a really fun project that allows me to introduce listeners to some of the best ag lawyers in the country. 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 for you to learn more about agricultural law.  Each episode is audio-only, and I interview an ag lawyer about a specific topic.  The best… Read More →

USDA Releases 2024 Cash Rent Data

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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. To see a… Read More →

USDA To Require Electronic Tags for Certain Cattle & Bison Crossing State Lines

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Final Rule modifying requirements for certain cattle and bison producers who ship animals across state lines.  Specifically, the Final Rule, set to go into effect on November 5, 2024, will require ear tags that are both visually and electronically readable for interstate movement of certain bison and cattle.  To hear a discussion of the new Final Rule, click here for a podcast interview I did with Chelsea Good. Here is a brief rundown of the new rule’s requirements. Who: … Read More →

August 23, 2024 Weekly Round Up

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Welcome back to another Weekly Round Up where we get you caught up on some of the biggest stories in ag law news around the country. *Federal court finds FTC ban on noncompete agreements unlawful, sets rule aside in nationwide order.  A federal judge in Texas held that the FTC’s recent rule prohibiting most noncompete agreements is unlawful.  The court held that the rule went beyond the FTC’s authority and was arbitrary and capricious.  The judge issued an order setting aside the rule on a nationwide basis.  This… Read More →

Texas Supreme Court Rules in Case Involving Damages to Trees

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The Texas Supreme Court recently issued an opinion in Texas Department of Transportation v. Self, a case regarding compensation for landowners when the State cut down trees on their property while maintaining an adjacent easement.  [Read Opinion here.] Background Mark and Birgit Self own a tract of land in rural Montague County.  Their property adjoins Farm-to-Market Road 677 and extends to the centerline of the road.  The State of Texas has a right-of-way easement extending 50′ from the centerline of the road in either direction.  This easement burdens… Read More →

Texas v. New Mexico – Where Are We Now?

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Recently, Jesse Richardson and I co-authored an article for Southern Ag Today looking at the current status of Texas v. New Mexico and what the United States Supreme Court’s recent opinion in this case may mean for water law going forward. To read the article, click here. For additional background on the case, read here and listen here.