Thursday, May 30, 2013

Janzen Ag Law, now appearing on Hoosier Ag Today

For the next few weeks, the articles usually featured on this blog will be featured on Hoosier Ag Today.  Hoosier Ag Today presents readers and listeners with current news and information about Indiana and national agriculture.  Hoosier Ag Today sends out a free daily e-newsletter and is regularly heard on radio stations throughout Indiana and the Midwest.  I am delighted to be featured.  I'll continue to post my usual articles on this website too, but look for my articles on the Hoosier Ag Today website under the heading "Ag Law."  

Monday, May 13, 2013

Bowman v. Monsanto: Farmer Cannot Endlessly Replicate RR Soybeans


The United States Supreme Court has held that an Indiana farmer cannot plant Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans purchased from a grain elevator (or "commodity soybeans") without violating Monsanto's RR patent. (Read prior post: Indiana Farmer Takes Monsanto to Supreme Court).  Justice Kagan wrote the opinion, which the Court summarized as follows:

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Parker v. Obert's Legacy Dairy: Court Affirms Right to Farm Act

A few years ago, the Obert family decided that in order for their dairy farm to continue on to the next generation, it would need to expand.  The family consulted with experts in the industry and ultimately decided to build a new, modern milking parlor and  new freestall barn.  The location selected for the new barns was on a 67 acre tract of ground adjacent to their historical farmstead, where the Oberts have farmed since the early 1800s when their ancestors immigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to Gibson County, Indiana. Unfortunately, following the expansion, a neighbor sued the farm for "nuisance," claiming that although he was  fine living next to the old 100 cow dairy, he was not fine with living next to the new 760 cow dairy.