Recently, farm protection statutes, known in the media as “ag gag” laws, have been in the news across America. The details of each law vary by state, but they generally prohibit a person from taking unauthorized photography or videos of an agricultural operation, making doing so a criminal misdemeanor offense.

Imagine that you own and operate a stocker-feeder operation on land belonging to your family for generations. Due to growth of a nearby city, you find yourself increasingly surrounded by new neighbors who are unfamiliar with agriculture.

The doctrine of prior appropriation governs water law in much of the western U.S. Although the specific laws and regulations vary by state, the basic concept of the doctrine is the same across the West.

A battle brewing between Texas and New Mexico over the waters of the Rio Grande may be decided in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cattle producers wanting to drill wells for use in livestock production should be aware of the applicable laws in their states related to livestock wells.

Many producers are accustomed to negotiating leases in pasture and never putting anything in writing. Often these arrangements work fine, and no written documentation is ever needed. But when a problem arises – and there are litany of situations under which problems can arise – the lack of written lease agreement for either grazing land or a bull can cause major problems for both parties involved. The best practice for all producers is to take the time and invest the money to ensure that all leases are in writing and are reviewed by an attorney.