Summer on the Farm or Ranch: Legal Issues to Keep in Mind

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This article was co-authored with Kara Matheney.  With summer officially here, many folks are spending more time outside and on their land. Whether landowners are working cattle, fixing fence, hosting guests, or just enjoying time with family or friends, this time of year often brings a number of legal questions along with it.  I have been getting quite a few similar questions over the last several weeks, so I thought it might be helpful to walk through a few common legal issues that tend to pop up this time of year… Read More →

New World Screwworm in Texas: What Texans Need to Know 

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This article was co-authored with Karli Kaase and Kara Matheney.  On June 3, 2026, the New World screwworm was confirmed in a calf near La Pryor, Texas. This has caused concern across the livestock, wildlife, and veterinary communities and a response from both state and federal agencies.   As response efforts continue, understanding the risks and knowing where to find reliable information are critical.  What is the New World Screwworm?  New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Infestations can develop rapidly,… Read More →

Texas Rural Land Purchasing Checklist

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This checklist was co-authored with Karli Kaase, Student Assistant – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Kara Matheney, Project Manager III – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.  To download a printable PDF copy, click here. Built on Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Owning Your Piece of Texas handbook, this fact sheet provides research-based guidance to help first-time and transitioning rural real estate buyers better understand key considerations when purchasing rural land in Texas. It is intended for educational purposes and reflects general principles of Texas landownership. Clarifying Goals and Budget Before beginning… Read More →

May Monthly Round Up

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May was an extremely busy month, both for agricultural law and for me!  Because of that, our Monthly Round Up is a couple of days late.  Let’s run through some of the biggest ag law developments in the last month. * House Passes Farm Bill 2.0.  The United States House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, known as the Farm Bill 2.0.  The Bill will now move to the Senate. [Read article here.] * US Supreme Court hears oral argument in Durnell v. Monsanto.  As we… Read More →

Traveling with Tiffany: Hitting the Road for Ag Law Programs Across Texas 

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One of my favorite parts of this job is getting out of the office and visiting with folks across the state. Whether it is a county program, conference, or workshop, there is nothing better than meeting landowners, producers, and Extension agents where they are and talking through real-world legal questions.  As we head into the next couple of months, the calendar is full, and I am looking forward to several opportunities to travel, teach, and learn alongside you all. If you have a chance to attend one of these events, please… Read More →

Working Ranch Radio Show – Eminent Domain: What Landowners Need to Know

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I was recently a guest on the Working Ranch Radio Show with Justin Mills.  We had a really good, practical conversation about eminent domain. Where does eminent domain authority come from?  How does the process work?  What do landowners need to keep in mind?  Justin asked great questions, and I think our conversation will be useful to landowners across the country!  Listen HERE.

Questions from Tiffany’s Desk: Can a Texas City Ban or Limit Chickens?

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Question: I must have received this question ten times in the last month via phone calls and emails from all across the state.  Can a Texas city enforce a ban or a limit on the number of chickens residents are allowed to have at their residence? Answer: We do not know. There has not been a court that has answered this question yet.  The answer will depend on how a court interprets the Right to Farm Statute definitions and the particular factual situation at issue.  Let’s walk through… Read More →

April Monthly Round Up

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We are back with a number of important agricultural law issues in the news for the month of April!   *John Deere agrees to $99 million settlement in right-to-repair class action lawsuit.  John Deere has agreed to pay $99 million to settle a class action lawsuit claiming that Deere made crucial repair tools and software updates unavailable to independent repair shops and farmers.  Those included in the class are individuals or entities who purchased repair services for John Deere large agricultural equipment from January 2018 until the settlement… Read More →

Signage Requirements Under Agritourism Liability Acts – What About Texas?

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I recently co-authored an article for Southern Ag Today with my friend and colleague, Jesse Richardson, that raised an important question about signage required under state landowner liability statutes. Agritourism Act Rulings in Virginia and Washington In the Southern Ag Today article, we focused on two court decisions applying their state’s Agritourism Act.  In Virginia, a trial court held that in order for the Virginia Agritourism Activity Act to apply, the signage should have been individually posted at each different agritourism activity.  Posting one sign at the entrance… Read More →

2025 Rural Land Value Trends Report Released

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Each year, the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers publishes a Rural Land Value Trends report.  This is one of the best documents available for those interested in the sales value and lease value of rural lands in Texas.  It is also the only publication of which I am aware that provides information on the value of hunting leases. The 2025 report was just released last week.  Click here to download. The report begins with an article by Dr. Lynn Krebs looking… Read More →