News  Agriculture  Livestock

Stray Voltage Case Raises Legal and Insurance Questions for Dairy Producers

Farm legal expert Roger McEowen highlights the legal challenges surrounding stray voltage, a recent court decision, and what it means for agricultural producers.

April 01, 2026 12:23 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF
Electric transmission lines on an easement cut through a forest in a rural area By KQ Ferris via Adobe Stock.png

Photo By KQ Ferris via Adobe Stock

TOPEKA, KANSAS (RFD NEWS) — The effects of stray voltage in agriculture are well-documented, but the legal challenges that follow can be far less clear. A recent case involving a dairy farm highlighted those complexities after a sudden operational decline tied to an electrical issue.

Farm legal expert Roger McEowen joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to break down the case and its implications for producers.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, McEowen provided background on the case and outlined the key factors that contributed to the court’s decision. He also explained that the situation highlights what he calls a “catch-22” for many farmers facing stray voltage concerns.

Finally, McEowen emphasized several takeaways for producers facing similar electrical issues, focusing on what operations should keep in mind moving forward.

READ MORE: Navigating the Legal Complexities of Stray Voltage and Insurance Claims

Related Stories
mCV4ROTF.jpg
News
Texas’ Sid Miller deploys a new tool against New World Screwworm
His department will be using a synthetic bait called “Swormlure Five,” which is engineered to smell like an open wound, attracting Screwworm flies to the bait
July 22, 2025 10:19 AM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
WASDE REPORT GRAPHIC
USDA
Behind the Scenes of WASDE Release Day
Betsy Jibben with Ag Market Consulting takes us behind the scenes on report day with AgMarket.net.
July 18, 2025 02:05 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
rIKS84YB.jpg
Champions of Rural America
Champions of Rural America: The Big, Beautiful Bill and Energy Independence
July 17, 2025 04:36 PM
weSdkYEB.jpg
USDA
USDA Launches Supplemental Relief Program: Danny Munch
July 17, 2025 04:32 PM
fPTW7yv7.jpg
Business
Demand for farm loans is way up...but so are bankruptcies.
Demand for farm loans surged in the first quarter of the year, topping the previous record set in 2016.
July 17, 2025 01:33 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
WWw7k8Ed.jpg
Sustainability
University of Arkansas Composting Day
July 16, 2025 05:24 PM
Load More

Dairy Energy Insurance Ag Education & Resources Business Planning
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

2ip3z0Ko.jpg
Crops
Strain on Grain: AFBF Economist Breaks Down Growing Storage Capacity Issues
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
October 16, 2025 04:20 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
asset-title-estate-planning-law_adobe-stock.png
Rural Money
Rural Money: The Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on Title I Payments for LLC and S Corporations
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines how producers should navigate evolving Farm Bill provisions and prepare their operations for the next crop year.
October 16, 2025 04:14 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
mexico corn (1).jpg
World News
New World Screwworm Fallout Could Boost Mexico’s Beef Market Position
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
UNphOdlL.jpg
Rural Health
Harvest'25: With Bins Filling Fast, Experts Warn of Rising Grain Entrapment Risks
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
October 16, 2025 01:26 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
SBb65hMp.jpg
Washington Policy
No End In Sight: As Government Shutdown Enters Third Week, Impacts Ripple Across the Ag Economy
The impacts of the government shutdown have reached commodity growers with crops to move, ag economists monitoring the harvest without key data reporting, and meat producers in need of new export markets.
October 16, 2025 01:03 PM
 · 
Alex Heider
Su8ujUrf.jpg
Trade
Treasury Signals Tougher Stance on China Trade as Trump Doubles Down on Argentina Aid
In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
October 16, 2025 11:57 AM
 · 
Alex Heider
Load More
Agriculture Shows
CLAAS-OutsideCorporateBuilding_1920x1080.jpg
TopCrop_CombineWLogo_1920x1080.jpg
ChampionsOfRuralAmerica_Header-v01b_1920x1080.jpg
FarmTraveler_HdrGrphcWNewCropLogo_1920x1080.jpg
CLAAS: Made for More
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
Top Crop
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Farm Traveler
Farm Traveler is for people who want to connect with their food and those who grow it. Thanks to direct-to-consumer businesses, agritourism, and social media, it’s now easier than ever to learn how our food is made and support local farmers. Here on the Farm Traveler, we want to connect you with businesses offering direct-to-consumer products you can try at home, agritourism sites you can visit with your family, and exciting new technologies that are changing how your food is being grown.