“Firm to Farm,” the RFD-TV Business Blog by agri-legal expert Roger McEowen, dives into the agricultural law and business taxation topics important to American farmers.
Contracts
Farm legal and taxation expert Roger McEowen discusses tariffs’ impacts on agriculture, deferred payment contracts, tax easement issues, and the rise in warrantless searches on farms and ranches.
In his latest Firm to Farm blog post, Ag Legal & Taxation Expert Roger McEowen examines contracts, insurance, and property rights and how those legal processes can impact your farm or ranch operation.
Digital contracts are becoming more common for farmers and ranchers, which means some unique legal issues might arise. RFD-TV’s farm legal expert Roger McEowen briefly examines those.
Secured Transactions
What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the split-interest transaction? And what are the rules when property that was acquired in a split-interest transaction is sold? That is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
A split-interest transaction involves one party acquiring a temporary interest in the asset (such as a term certain or life estate), with the other party acquiring a remainder interest. That is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger A. McEowen.
The “farm products rule,” and the 1985 Farm Bill modification and its application – that is the topic of today’s blog post from Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
Bankruptcy
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law dives into a “potpourri” of ag tax and law-related issues in his latest Firm to Farm blog post.
What is “gross income from farming” for purposes of Chapter 12 (farm) bankruptcy – that is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by Roger McEowen.
Today’s blog post by RFD-TV Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen takes a look at the “preferential payment rule,” a unique bankruptcy provision that can come as a suprise to farmers in financial distress.
Farmland Real Estate
For many farm businesses, property taxes on business assets have become a significant and highly visible expense, threatening liquidity, discouraging investment, and creating a disproportionate burden when compared to other industries.
The allure of rural property — with its promise of space, freedom, and self-sufficiency — is undeniable, but local zoning regulations govern the reality.
Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us now with the highlights.

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Every day, “Market Day Report” delivers “live” coverage of agri-business news, weather, and commodity market information from across the world. Our market coverage is constantly updated every half-hour, bringing you the latest on the markets.
RFD-TV Farm Legal and Tax Expert Roger McEowen explains the basics of Low-Risk Credit in Farming, and how an understanding of the farm credit landscape lets producers tactfully approach debt.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.
RFD-TV farm legal expert Roger McEowen digs into the details on how to make your rural property dreams a reality — and avoid a living nightmare.
Latest Stories: Business
Credit stress is building for row-crop farms despite steady land values and slight price improvements.
The Lexington shutdown pushes national slaughter capacity utilization nearer long-run averages, underscoring how tight cattle supplies are reshaping packer operations.
Mike Steenhoek, with the Soy Transportation Commission, shares his outlook on current grain stocks and transportation lines amid bumper crops filling bins across the United States.
American soybean and corn leaders, along with Canada’s AgriFood sector, testified before the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office in support of the trade pact between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Working capital is tightening for crop farms, increasing reliance on operating loans even as land values steady in the broader sector.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach shares her appreciation for rural communities and outlines how the Working Families Tax Cut is aimed to support farm families on RFD-TV’s Champions of Rural America.
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
Strong plant output and rising exports contrast with softer domestic blending demand, suggesting margins are poised for volatility.
Milk output is rising, but steep drops in Class I–IV prices are tightening margins heading into 2026.
Weaker U.S. dairy prices come as value-added exports expand and ingredient inventories tighten, creating mixed market signals for producers.
Kip Eideberg with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers details its campaign spotlighting the people who build equipment vital to farming and food manufacturing.
Improved export prospects and higher crop prices strengthened future expectations despite continued caution about spending.