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
Beautiful Landscape, The Meadows and farmlands at Ladakh , india_Photo by artqu via Adobe Stock_362528934.jpg
Trade
Indian Farmer Protests Intensify Over U.S. Trade Talks
India trade tensions may affect the U.S. export outlook.
March 10, 2026 01:23 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
WASDE REPORT GRAPHIC
Trade
USDA Leaves U.S. Grain Stocks Unchanged, Projects Mixed Livestock Fundamentals in March WASDE Report
USDA’s March WASDE report leaves U.S. corn, soybean and wheat ending stocks unchanged while adjusting global production estimates for South America.
March 10, 2026 01:01 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
usda logo.png
USDA
USDA: USACE Partnership Advances New World Screwworm Preparedness with New Texas Sterile Fly Facility
Partnership with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ensures Engineering Excellence and Operational Effectiveness
March 09, 2026 03:15 PM
Model house with a bunch of paperwork and person signing a document in the background
Firm to Farm
Firm to Farm: Preserving the Family Legacy — Long-Term Care Planning for Farmers and Ranchers
The most common mistake farmers make is waiting until a health crisis occurs to transfer the farm to their children.
March 09, 2026 03:07 PM
 · 
Roger A. McEowen
oX7YH3sE.jpg
American Heroes
‘Vets to Cowboys’ Empowers Veterans to Embrace the Cowboy Way of Life
Co-founders Jeremy and Heather Clark share how Vets to Cowboys helps U.S. veterans build new skills, find community in cattle ranching, and discover new opportunities in agriculture.
March 09, 2026 02:45 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Farmland producing ethanol for the oil and gas industry. Railroad tankers cars lined up near a ethanol plant at sunset_Photo by photogrfx via AdobeStock_496174713.png
Markets
Ethanol Production, Exports Grow as Rail Demand Shifts
Strong exports and production support ongoing corn demand.
March 09, 2026 02:35 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
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:

YzAvit1N.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
Women in Ag Spotlight: Katie Keener with the National Women in Agriculture Association
Katie Keener with the National Women in Agriculture Association joins us to celebrate women in agriculture and spotlight programs and initiatives aimed at empowering female producers across the country.
March 10, 2026 04:17 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
nSmYQWxI.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
Women in Ag Spotlight: How Mentorship and Partnerships Fuel the Future Generation in Agriculture
Nationwide’s Elizabeth Duncan and Traci Via with Agriculture Future of America highlight the impact of women in agriculture and how mentorship and partnerships empower future farmers and ranchers.
March 10, 2026 04:06 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
cherry blossoms cherry trees washington dc_adobe stock.png
Rural Lifestyle
Women in Ag Spotlight: UNL Student Visits Washington, D.C., to Learn How Lawmakers Shape Agriculture Policy
UNL student fellow Alison Walbrecht shares her perspective on building support for agricultural research, extension, and teaching while gaining hands-on insight into federal policymaking.
March 10, 2026 03:57 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
SELECTS_FARMHER_ 20_03_30_USA_ALL_VARIOUS_0124.jpg
Markets
Corn Leads U.S. Grain Export Inspections, Signaling Strong Export Flow Despite Planting Pressures
HTS Commodities’ Lewis Williamson provides updates on how growers are preparing for spring planting in an unpredictable agricultural landscape.
March 10, 2026 03:45 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
cotton bud with the sunset_Photo by Kelli via AdobeStock_386673555.jpg
Markets
Rising Energy Costs Pressure Asian Textile Supply Chains
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains how geopolitical developments in the Middle East can create energy-driven pressures that impact the supply chain and reshape demand for certain ag products.
March 10, 2026 03:27 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Angus cattle grazing
Livestock
Cattle Markets Face Volatility as Trade Talks, Labor Concerns, and Animal Health Threats Grow
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.
March 10, 2026 03:08 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
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.