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
infinite banking_Photo by Oxana Stepanova via AdobeStock_139586586.png
Firm to Farm
Firm to Farm: The ‘Infinite Banking’ Mirage—Why Farmers Should Be Wary of the “Private Bank” Pitch
On a spreadsheet, it looks like the ultimate way to harvest extra profit. But in the eyes of the IRS—as RFD-TV Farm Legal & Tax Expert Roger McEowen explains—this “tax-free” bank can quickly turn into a field full of weeds.
January 06, 2026 07:00 AM
 · 
Roger A. McEowen
d6lHUUKL.jpg
Livestock
Tight Fed Supplies Drive Volatile Cattle Prices Ahead
Preserving equity through active risk management remains critical in a volatile, supply-driven market.
January 06, 2026 06:00 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
Grazing cattle, various breeds
Livestock
Cow Size Matters When Evaluating Calf Weaning Performance
Bigger cows must wean proportionally heavier calves to justify higher ownership costs.
January 05, 2026 03:08 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
food prices meat grocery store_Young woman standing in aisle with shopping cart choosing fresh raw meat in modern supermarket_pressmaster via adobe stock.png
Rural Money
Improving Consumer Confidence Offers Cautious Demand Signal for Agriculture
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.
January 05, 2026 03:00 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
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 Rebounds as Demand Signals Turn Mixed
Strong ethanol production and export trends continue to support corn demand despite seasonal fuel consumption softness.
January 05, 2026 02:49 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
usda logo.png
USDA
USDA Standardizes Grant and Cooperative Agreement Requirements
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
January 05, 2026 02:36 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
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:

P55Z0G7r.jpg
Crops
Ethanol Emerges as Key Market Solution for Corn
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
dLDCTorj.jpg
Trade
U.S. Trade Policy Uncertainty Ripples Through Agriculture
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
January 20, 2026 01:14 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
O6RbXYAv.jpg
Business
Proposed Norfolk Southern-Union Pacific Merger Goes Off the Rails
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
January 20, 2026 12:25 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
eyv9l5dx.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
Recap: Midland County Junior Livestock Show
Midland County Livestock Association President Brandon Mitchell reflects on another strong year for the event, including a premium sale that once again topped the million-dollar mark.
January 20, 2026 08:00 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
wsElrC7P.jpg
Sports
Midland County Junior Livestock Show: Steer Showcase
The Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features a competitive steer showcase highlighting top-quality cattle and the accomplishments of driven youth exhibitors.
January 16, 2026 01:48 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
mnkePUiC.jpg
FarmTech
AI-Driven Data Center Growth Sparks Debate Across Rural America on Risk vs. Reward
CoBank Knowledge Exchange’s Jeff Johnston shares the group’s positive perspective on expanding data centers into rural areas and weighs the risks and rewards for those communities.
January 16, 2026 01:44 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.