Category Archives: Agriculture Law

DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton reported earlier this week that, “The big fight in the Nebraska Legislature this year is over plans to reduce property taxes, which has the state’s farm lobbies pushing lawmakers hard for some relief. “Numbers taken from the 2017 Ag Census show Nebraska farmers have more reason to complain about… Continue Reading

A news release last week from House Ag Committee member Antonio Delgado (D., N.Y.) stated that, “On Thursday, [Rep. Delgado] led House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisc.), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and Reps. TJ Cox (D-Calif.), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), in introducing the bipartisan Family Farmer Relief Act… Continue Reading

The Associated Press reported yesterday that, “A federal judge has awarded more than $181,000 in legal fees to seven lawyers who successfully fought a 2012 Iowa law that made it illegal to get a job at a livestock farm to conduct an animal cruelty undercover investigation. “Animal rights and civil rights organizations, including the Animal… Continue Reading

In a recent article posted at The Des Moines Register Online, Molly Hunter reported that, “Normally, Story County soybean farmer Kevin Larson said he would resolve a dispute with a neighbor privately. “Instead, he went to the Iowa Pesticide Bureau in 2017 when he suspected powerful herbicides drifting from a nearby farm damaged his crop. “Other… Continue Reading

A news release last week from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through [FSA] and… Continue Reading

National Public Radio’s (NPR) Leah Douglas reported today that, “Every state has a ‘right-to-farm’ law on the books to protect farmers from being sued by their neighbors for the routine smells and noise created by farming operations. But this year, the agriculture industry has been pushing in several states to amend those laws so that… Continue Reading

A recent update from the National Corn Growers Association indicated that, “The National Corn Growers Association – in partnership with the Honey Bee Health Coalition – is releasing new best management practices (BMPs) to protect bees and other pollinators in and around corn fields. “At roughly 92 million acres, field corn covers more land than… Continue Reading

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported last week that, “The Texas attorney general is pressing a federal court in Galveston, Texas, to issue a national injunction on the 2015 waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule after a court in Ohio denied a similar motion in recent weeks. “After a long series of court actions… Continue Reading

Donnelle Eller reported last week at The Des Moines Register Online that, “Two environmental groups filed a lawsuit Wednesday, asking a court to force farmers to cut fertilizer runoff they say is hurting the Raccoon River watershed and water Des Moines residents drink. “Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch also want to stop producers… Continue Reading