Section Newsletters

Articles on Agricultural Law

Agriculture remains a dangerous business By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, March 2014 The author provides some startling ag-related injury statistics.
Careful on that farm—Assumption of risk is alive and well in Illinois By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, March 2014 In the recent case of Edwards v. Lombardi, the Third District Appellate Court held that a plaintiff’s on-farm injury claims for “ordinary negligence” were barred by the assumption of risk doctrine. 
All-terrain vehicle stamps—The newest source of revenue for the State of Illinois By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, January 2014 Learn more about this new law, which passed in 2012 and is finally taking effect this year.
Illinois court says insurer cannot escape duty to defend hog odor lawsuit under “pollution exclusion” in umbrella policy By Kristine A. Tidgren Agricultural Law, January 2014 In what could broaden an insurer’s duty to defend Illinois livestock producers in odor lawsuits, an Illinois appeals court has rejected an insurer’s denial of coverage to hog confinement operators pursuant to a standard “pollution exclusion” provision in an umbrella liability policy
Illinois court says insurer cannot escape duty to defend hog odor lawsuit under “pollution exclusion” in umbrella policy By Kristine A. Tidgren Environmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2014 In what could broaden an insurer’s duty to defend Illinois livestock producers in odor lawsuits, an Illinois appeals court has rejected an insurer’s denial of coverage to hog confinement operators pursuant to a standard “pollution exclusion” provision in an umbrella liability policy
Use of unmanned aircraft by farmers: Legal considerations By Craig J. Sondgeroth Agricultural Law, January 2014 While these aircraft may be a farmer’s next precision agriculture tool, the legal implications should also be considered.
1 comment (Most recent January 15, 2014)
2014 tax information By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, November 2013 IRS updates of general interest.
The Section Council’s focus on “mean seeds” By David H. Hopkins Animal Law, October 2013 The Animal Law Section Council resolved in June to explore with appropriate Illinois officials the ultimate question presented by a recent study: Should the “mean seeds” species be banned from future Conservation Reserve Progarm plantings in Illinois?
Conveying farmland subject to CRP contracts By Gary R. Gehlbach Trusts and Estates, September 2013 Farms that include land subject to one or more Conservation Reserve Program contracts are routinely bought and sold. Accompanying this article is a form that the author routinely uses, with appropriate modifications depending on the transaction, for the assignment of a CRP contract.
Information on the direct sale of agricultural products Agricultural Law, September 2013 The Illinois Stewardship Alliance recently released a legal guide for farmers wanting to sell directly to consumers, restaurants and others.
Remaining educated to represent your clients By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, August 2013 Need to familiarize yourself with the unique ag issues that consistently arise? Check out these resources.
A bumpy road ahead for producers, buyers and sellers of Genetically Modified Organisms By Ruth E. Robinson Agricultural Law, July 2013 As scientific developments and studies surrounding GMOs cause the world grain market to fluctuate, recent decisions, pending suits, and future cases may prove significant to the agribusiness community.
“Farm” bankruptcies and the ripple effects By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, May 2013 Perhaps in no area of the law are the problems any bigger than in the realm of bankruptcy, and these problems are magnified and made more difficult when the “farmer” is one of these large operators.
Supreme Court issues Bowman v. Monsanto opinion; farmer infringed Monsanto’s patent by growing commodity soybeans purchased from elevator By Jerry W. Quick & Craig J. Sondgeroth Agricultural Law, May 2013 On May 13th, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Bowman v. Monsanto.
A move towards a more fair division: Envisioning a new Illinois Fence Act By A. Bryan Endres & Lisa R. Schlessinger Agricultural Law, March 2013 This article describes fence law models applied in major agricultural producing states, examines the current Illinois statute and case law, and recommends, based on economic efficiency principles, revising the Illinois Fence Act to reflect modern land use practices based on the equitable cost-sharing model adopted by the Missouri Legislature in 2001.
OSHA and the farmer—“Deadliest Catch” on the prairie? By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, February 2013 Between 1992 and 2009, 9,003 farm workers and laborers died from work-related injuries in the US.
Farms and the new 2013 Medicare tax increases By Marc C. Lovell Agricultural Law, December 2012 An overview of how the new health care reform measures will affect farmers.
Rezoning farmland—Yet another pitfall identified By David Hoff Agricultural Law, December 2012 A look at the recent case of Guth v. Tazewell County, et al.
2012 drought crop insurance, coverage and claims—Frequently asked questions and answers Agricultural Law, September 2012 Frequently asked questions and answers from the August 6 - 13, 2012 addendum as posted by the USDA Risk Management Association.
Aflatoxin contamination and insurance By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, September 2012 The August 2012 USDA Risk Management Agency fact sheet for aflatoxin testing provides good advice and direction for dealing with the possibility of a discount upon the sale of corn.
Crop insurance implication of aflatoxin in corn By Gary Schnitkey Agricultural Law, September 2012 If aflatoxin is suspected, the crop insurance agent should be contacted immediately. The agent will notify the insurance company who will arrange for independent testing for aflatoxin and the farmer must pay for the independent testing. Testing after placing grain in storage could result in invalidating claims for aflatoxin.
Drought those legal problems By John W. Damisch Agricultural Law, September 2012 An overview of some of the issues affecting farmers and the ag industry that Illinois lawyers should be prepared to address.
Lessons from the drought of 1988 By Jerry W. Quick Agricultural Law, September 2012 The author shares the legal questions he received relating to grain contracting, grain production, and the grain industry which arose during the epic drought of 1988.
Tax and legal issues associated with the 2012 drought By Roger A. McEowen Agricultural Law, September 2012 The drought in significant parts of the country during the summer of 2012 has raised a number of tax and law-related questions for farmers and ranchers.
Certain Illinois counties now eligible for cost-share to meet emergency water needs Agricultural Law, August 2012 An informative press release from the USDA's Farm Service Agency.
Estimating crop insurance recovery 2012 By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, August 2012 Although the true extent of this year's crop losses are not fully known in many areas at this point, it would be helpful for most farmers to have an idea of where they stand with the crop insurance they purchased.
Federal Crop Insurance Act preempts security interests in crop insurance By Erika Eckley Agricultural Law, August 2012 The case of In re Duckworth involved several issues that arose during the administration of a farmer’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy surrounding the security interest of multiple lenders.
Transfer on Death Instrument Act applications in agricultural law By James R. Grebe & Michael P. Roush Agricultural Law, June 2012 The TODI may be a useful alternative to wills, trusts, and other estate planning options, and should be considered when discussing estate planning with your farmer-clients for the transfer of their homestead to the next generation. 
ICE Futures U.S. launches five new grain and oilseed futures products By Ann Hagerty Agricultural Law, May 2012 Intercontinental Exchange Inc. began offering futures and options in U.S. Corn, Wheat, Soybean, Soybean Meal and Soybean Oil on May 14th and 15th respectively.
IDOT long-range state transportation plan By Jeffrey A. Mollet Agricultural Law, May 2012 On April 30, 2012, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced plans to update its Long-Range State Transportation Plan (Plan), all as required by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration.

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