2026 Federal Estate and Gift Tax Exemption Information

Posted on by

We are ringing in 2026 with a change to the federal estate tax exemption.  Understanding how estate and gift taxes are calculated and knowing the current exemption amounts are key components to a successful estate plan. Background As we have discussed numerous times on this blog and our Ag Law in the Field Podcast, Congress sets an amount of assets that a person is allowed to give during their lifetime or at death without incurring estate or gift tax liability. This is known as the lifetime exemption.  The… Read More →

Ag Law Issues in 2025

Posted on by

As we do every year, Shannon Ferrell, my friend and counterpart at Oklahoma State University, and I partnered up to write an article summarizing the year in agricultural law for Farm Progress.  This year, we had lots of exciting topics like estate taxes, air emissions reporting, animal confinement laws, DOJ investigations, dicamba label proposals, and WOTUS. What were our key issues for the year and what do you need to know?  Check out our article here! Additionally, if you missed the podcast episode I did summarizing ag law… Read More →

January 2026 Monthly Round Up

Posted on by

For 2026, we have changed our bi-weekly round up of agricultural law news to a monthly round up that will be posted the last day of the month. If January is any indication, we are in for a busy 2026! * Texas “fake meat” labeling law found unconstitutional.  A federal district judge has found Texas’ “fake meat” labeling law, Texas Health & Safety Code 431.0825(d-1) unconstitutional.  Specifically, the court held the statute which requires certain wording such as “analogue,” “meatless,” “plant-based” or other similar language be included on… Read More →

Check Your Beneficiaries!

Posted on by

The new year is the perfect time to double check that your beneficiary designations are up to date.   This is a critical part of the estate planning process that can easily be overlooked. I recently wrote an article about this topic for Southern Ag Today.  We also recently recorded a YouTube video as well.  Take the time to check out these resources and ensure your beneficiary designations are up to date.

A Practical Guide to Starting a Horse Riding Lesson Program

Posted on by

When Dr. Chelsie Huseman, an associate professor and equine specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, reached out to ask if I would be a co-author on a publication for folks looking to start offering horse riding lessons, I was excited to participate.  There are a number of important legal considerations for people to take anytime they are offering lessons, instruction, the use of an arena, or boarding for horses. We recently published our guide, which is available here. Thanks to Dr. Huseman for including me on this project!… Read More →

Top Blogs, Podcast Episodes, Professional Highlights and New Resources of 2025

Posted on by

Each year, we take a look back at our most popular content across our various platforms. Texas Agriculture Law Blog Drumroll please…our most popular blogs for 2025 were: Motorcycle v. Cow Collision Results in Lawsuit.  Our most read blog post was a summary of the Eastland Court of Appeals opinion in Mullins v. McWhirter, a case involving questions of liability for a cattle owner when livestock escaped and were hit on the roadway resulting in the death of the plaintiff.  The opinion in this case offered a great summary of… Read More →

Ag Law Year in Review – Texas

Posted on by

As we move toward the end of 2025, we love to take a look back at some of the key agricultural law issues in Texas over the last 365 days.  If you missed our nationwide year in review post, click here.  So, what are some of the biggest ag law issues in the Lone Star State in 2025? Texas Supreme Court Rules in Produced Water Case; Second Case Filed. There is nowhere else to start but with produced water.  The Texas Supreme Court decision in Cactus Water Services v. COG… Read More →

December 19, 2025 Weekly Round Up

Posted on by

The time has come for our final weekly round up of 2025!  While many of us are slowing down for the holiday, agricultural news is not.  Let’s get caught up on some of the biggest stories in the news over the past few weeks. *State of Texas sues Xcel Energy over Smokehouse Creek Fire.  Texas has filed suit against Xcel Energy seeking over $1 billion in losses as a result of the Smokehouse Creek Fire.  The lawsuit claims the fire, which burned over 1 million acres, was started by… Read More →

Ag Law Year in Review – National

Posted on by

Once again, it has been a busy year in agricultural law.  There was so much to choose from, narrowing the list down to the top 10 issues proved challenging.  With that caveat, here is our list of the top national legal issues for 2025. For those of you that prefer an audio option, much of this is discussed in our Ag Law in the Field Podcast Year in Review episode that will be available later this week! Congress Passed Permanent Increase to Lifetime Exemption for Estate Taxes In… Read More →

Does Agritourism Hinder or Promote Farmland Preservation?

Posted on by

I recently co-authored an article for Southern Ag Today with my friend, Jesse Richardson, on an interesting case out of Michigan.  While the case involved questions about zoning, it raised interesting policy questions about how best to preserve farmland and balance that desire with the economic benefits agritourism can provide. Read our article here.