Category Archives: Agriculture Law

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported yesterday that, “The agriculture industry celebrated the 2015 waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule repeal that EPA finalized in recent weeks. But an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation and an official with a major agriculture group said farmers and ranchers still face regulation under the Clean Water… Continue Reading

A news release last week from the Organic Trade Association stated that, “The Organic Trade Association on Thursday asked the U.S. District Court to rule in its favor on its organic livestock welfare lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In its motion for summary judgment, the trade association stated that USDA acted in an… Continue Reading

Wall Street Journal writer Ruth Bender reported yesterday that, “Bayer said the number of plaintiffs claiming its Roundup herbicides caused cancer more than doubled to 42,700 in the past three months, adding pressure on the company to resolve the legal battle that has raised questions about its future. “The chemicals-to-pharmaceuticals company was thrown into one… Continue Reading

A news release Thursday from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “The [USDA] said today that producers who currently participate in Federal crop insurance and are experiencing a delay in harvesting their crop should contact their Approved Insurance Provider (AIP) to file a Notice of Loss and request more time to harvest. “Producers in several… Continue Reading

Associated Press writer David Eggert reported last week that, “A divided Michigan Senate on Thursday passed an update of the state’s animal industry law, including a proposed delay of a requirement that chickens and pigs be given more room in their cages and stalls. “Much of the seven-bill package won unanimous support, but senators split… Continue Reading

A news release today from the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs stated that, “Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation’s food supply… Continue Reading

Washington Post writer Hannah Knowles reported yesterday that, “Many acts of animal cruelty are closer to becoming federal felonies after the House’s unanimous passage Tuesday of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act. “If passed by the Senate and enacted, the bill will outlaw purposeful crushing, burning, drowning, suffocation, impalement or other violence causing ‘serious… Continue Reading

A news release today from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “USDA is extending the deadline to November 8, 2019, for eligible agriculture producers to enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Grassland Conservation Initiative, which was created by the 2018 Farm Bill. The original deadline was October 25, 2019.  This program is available… Continue Reading

A news release yesterday from Rep. Dusty Johnson (R., S.D.) stated that, “Today U.S. Representatives [Johnson], Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), and Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), introduced the Livestock Risk Management and Education Act, a bill that would provide grants to certain state land-grant universities to better equip livestock producers with risk management training. “The Livestock Risk Management… Continue Reading

Eduardo Porter reported in today’s New York Times that, “Arkansas reaped a windfall when a Walmart founder, James L. Walton, known as Bud, died in 1995 with a fortune estimated by Forbes at $1.65 billion in today’s money. The next year, state estate tax receipts jumped 425 percent, to about $183 million in current dollars…. Continue Reading