The agricultural news continues to roll in from across the country.

*Texas farmers file discrimination lawsuit against USDA.  Several Texas farmers have filed suit in federal court against the USDA claiming that in administering payment programs, the USDA illegally discriminated on the basis of race and sex.  Specifically, the farmers argue that the USDA improperly used different payment calculation methods for “socially disadvantaged” farmers (American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Asian-Americans, blacks/African-Americans, Hispanics, Hispanic-Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, and women) than it did for those farmers not falling into this category. This, the claim, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution and the Administrative Procedures Act.  [Read Complaint here.]

*USDA approves final “product of the USA” labeling rule for meat, poultry and egg products.  The USDA announced its final rule related to the “product of the USA” labeling for meat, poultry, and egg products.  The rule will allow the voluntary use of “product of the USA” or “made in the USA” label only if the products are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.  Additionally, this label will be eligible for generic approval, which means there is no requirement of FSIS pre-approval before use.  Documentation supporting the claim, however, must be maintained.  [Read press release here.]

*Avian influenza found in cattle in additional states, spreads from cow-to-human in Texas.  In our last Weekly Round Up, we mentioned the first cases of HPAI found in cattle in Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas.  Since then, cattle have been infected in other states as well.  Click here for a summary from USDA APHIS.  Additionally, a person who worked with dairy cows in Texas has also tested positive for HPAI.  [Read more here.]

*SEC stays climate disclosure rule due to pending litigation.  The SEC announced it will stay its climate disclosure reporting rule due to ongoing litigation challenging the rule.  This voluntary stay is within the discretion of the SEC, who may issue such stays when “justice so requires.”  The SEC noted that it “will continue vigorously defending the Final Rules’ validity in court.” [Read order here.]  To learn more about the SEC’s climate disclosure rule, and similar rules passed by California, click here for our most recent Ag Law in the Field Podcast episode.

*Law student writing competition.  The American Agricultural Law Association is hosting a writing competition for law students.  This competition is open to all law students and papers can be written on any agricultural law-related topic.  The contest is open through October 2 and prizes include cash, free registration to the AALA Conference in Memphis, and publication of the winning paper in the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.  [More information here.]

*Critical Texas property tax deadline approaching.  April 30 is an important deadline at your local County Appraisal District.  For anyone who wants to apply for open space (“ag use”) tax valuation for their land, including those who purchased or inherited land in the last year that previously received the valuation, this is the deadline to do so.  It is also the deadline for anyone wishing to change their valuation from ag use to wildlife management use.  We have a number of helpful resources including a blog post on these deadlines, a podcast episode on special use tax valuation, and a podcast episode on wildlife management valuation.

*Stock show update.  I know many of you kindly follow and cheer on my kiddos as they show their Mini Hereford cattle and sheep around the country.  I thought I’d share a few photos from their recent wins at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.  It’s been a great semester!

Upcoming Programs

April has been a busy month on the presentation front, and we will not be slowing down.  Join us on April 23 and 24 in San Angelo!  On the 23, we will host our Owning Your Piece of Texas workshop and on the 24th we will be teaching our Ranchers Leasing Workshop.  We still have seats available for both programs.  You will receive a copy of our handbook, lunch, and if you are a real estate agent, we can offer CE credits.

To see a complete list of my upcoming programs, click here.