Category Archives: Agriculture News & Information
New Year’s Resolution: Review Your Estate Plan and Beneficiary Designations
In addition to finding your favorite party hat and gathering up the confetti to celebrate the beginning of 2015 on Wednesday evening, this is a great time to review your estate plan and beneficiary designations. Other Agriculture News & InformationStatewide Estate Survey Underway Among Farmers, Ranchers, Rural LandownersJan 21, 2022Detecting Texas Drought Conditions With Small FishJan 21, 2022Keeping Livestock Healthy […]
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Multi-Million Dollar Settlements for New Mexico Royalty Owners
Two class action lawsuits have been settled in favor of New Mexico royalty and overriding royalty owners. Devon Energy Corporation and Burlington Resources have settled claims that they underpaid royalties in the San Juan Basin by improperly deducting costs of treating and transporting coalbed methane gas. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read more“Sound Mind” Requirement for Executing a Will
A couple of months ago, a Beamont Court of Appeals case illustrated the importance of ensuring that a person has the mental capacity required to validly execute a will. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreAgriLife Extension Entomologists Brace For Possible New Ag Pest
SAN ANGELO – The tawny crazy ant, a relative newcomer to the U.S., is expanding its range, causing concern among Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologists, said a state entomology leader. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreDoes Drilling Through the Mineral Estate of Another Constitute Trespass?
An interesting case between Lightning oil Company and Anadarko E&P Onshore, LLC is currently making its way through the Texas judicial system. The case raises the following question. Where an oil and gas production company seeks to drill a horizontal well through the mineral interest of another, in order to produce oil and gas from a lease held by the […]
Read moreDisaster Assistance for Unique Industries
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA today announced that nearly 2,500 applicants will receive disaster assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, 2013. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read morePrussic Acid in Beef Cattle
Livestock producers should pay close attention to their herd after the recent frost followed by subsequent warm and wet weather. The danger of prussic acid poisoning is greatest when livestock graze sorghum type grasses such as Johnsongrass following a period of drought or a series of frosts. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreFarmers Face Important Decisions Under New Farm Bill
The 2014 Farm Bill implemented major changes to commodity programs for United States farmers. Under this new bill, there are numerous decisions that must be made by farmers in the coming months that will impact payments they will receive in the next several years. It is important for farmers to understand the decisions that must be made and be aware […]
Read moreUtah Federal Court Imposes Limit on Endangered Species Act
A federal district judge in Utah issued an important opinion earlier this month. The court struck down federal regulation of the Utah prairie dog pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, finding that the federal government lacked the power to regulate the prairie dog that is found only in the state of Utah. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreNew York Times Article Highlights Surface Owner Hardship in Texas Oil Boom
Last week, the New York Times published an article titled, “A County Resents Oil Drilling, Despite the Money It Brings In.” The author featured Glasscock County, Texas and, in particular, cotton farmer Dennis Seidenberger. The article did an excellent job at highlighting the hardships facing surface owners, who do not own any portion of the mineral estate underlying their land, in […]
Read moreGMO Labeling Laws: Where Are We Now?
After Tuesday’s mid-term elections, GMO labeling laws have been in the news across the country. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreLocal Fracking Laws Could Impact Ranchers
I recently wrote an article for Progressive Cattleman magazine discussing how local fracking bans that are popping up across the country could impact ranchers. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreShould City Voters Pick the Ag Commissioner?
For more than a century, Texans have elected their agriculture commissioner, unlike more than two-thirds of states where governors fill the job by appointment. But as Texas’ urban population inches toward 90 percent, should they? Or is there danger that the obscure statewide position, often seen as a stepping-stone to higher office, could get tied up in political campaigns about guns […]
Read moreNew Tool Assists Farmers in Evaluating Rent Payment Options
The University of Minnesota’s Center for Farm Financial Management has developed a new tool to help agricultural landlords and tenants evaluate various rental price arrangements and select the one that best fits their operation. Their new tool, FairRent, allows producers to evaluate a traditional cash rent contract, a crop share rental agreement, and seven alternative flex lease options. To use […]
Read moreTrick or Truth on Clean Water Act Rule
WASHINGTON — The American Farm Bureau Federation today released a legal analysis, “Trick or Truth? What EPA and the Corps of Engineers Are Not Saying About Their Waters of the U.S. Proposal.” Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreWhat Is Eminent Domain To Ag?
I recently wrote an article for Progressive Cattleman magazine discussing what eminent domain is and the importance that landowners understand the law surrounding this power allowing the government (or someone acting with governmental authority) to condemn private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreTexas Cash Rents Report Available Online
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service recently published the Texas Cash Rents Report for 2014. This report is the results of a cash rents survey conducted between February and July 2014. The report helps in determining rental rates between landowners and producers. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreMy Neighbor Wants to Build a Fence…Do I Have To Help Pay For It?
Question: My neighbor wants to build a fence on the property line dividing our land because he wants to run cattle on his property. I do not object to his desire to have livestock on his land or his building the fence. He insists that I pay for half of the fence. Do I have a legal responsibility to help […]
Read moreGood Water Management is Key to Effective Lawn Maintenance
Well, we have just about made it through the summer, and to be honest, it wasn’t that bad! I say that with a bit of sarcasm, because as of late, the rain that we had been getting earlier in the year has diminished by a wide margin. Share This ArticleFacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinemail
Read moreUnderstanding the Water Cycle
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recognizes the lack of water from time to time that occurs within Austin County as well as neighboring counties. We experienced one of the worst droughts that this country has seen just a few short years ago. How we manage our grasslands and cropland goes hand-in-hand with the Water Cycle, no matter the amount […]
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