Business

WOTUS and ‘Lawfare’ Emerge as Defining Terms in Agriculture Law for 2025

Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, offers an in-depth look at two of the top legal issues of 202. Today, he walks through last year’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling and “lawfare.”

January 27, 2026 02:53 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF

TOPEKA, Kan. (RFD NEWS) — We continue our countdown of the Top 10 Agricultural Law Developments from 2025, highlighting key legal issues that could impact farmers and ranchers in the year ahead. From property rights to input regulations, several developments rose to the top of the list.

Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to break down his #3 and #2 top legal issues heading into the new year.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, McEowen explained issue #3 — the growing concept of “lawfare” in American agriculture — and how legal strategies increasingly used to influence policy and land use became a central theme in 2025. He also discussed what that trend could mean for farmers, ranchers, and land management agencies moving forward.

Coming in at #2 on McEowen’s list is a familiar issue for the ag community—the ongoing saga surrounding the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling. He reviewed the major developments from 2025 and shared his expectations for how the final rule could take shape.

READ MORE: FIRM TO FARM

Related Stories
no-tresspassing sign_adobe stock.png
Firm to Farm
Firm to Farm: Title Fraud Crisis Escalating in Farmland Real Estate
Agricultural property presents unique opportunities for scammers to impersonate landowners and attempt to sell rural property they do not own. And in many cases, they are getting dangerously close to succeeding.
May 25, 2026 07:00 PM
 · 
Roger A. McEowen
american flag wheat sunset_adobe stock.png
Weather News
Rain Slows Southern Wheat Harvest As Quality Develops
Early wheat harvest is moving, but rain, drought stress, and disease pressure will determine yield and quality.
May 25, 2026 07:00 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
6xEyHPwO.jpg
Rural Health
Falls and Tractor Rollovers Continue Driving Farm Injuries and Deaths
University of Wisconsin-Madison’s John Shutske says simple safety habits can help prevent some of agriculture’s most common injuries.
May 23, 2026 07:00 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
LNTeM5NU.jpg
Washington Policy
NCBA Members Take Cattle Industry Concerns to Capitol Hill
Cattle producers met with lawmakers to discuss the issues continuing to impact ranchers across the country.
May 23, 2026 03:00 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
DFq2BYRG.jpg
Business
Moly Manufacturing Highlights Innovation and Safety in Livestock Handling
Founder Jon Mollhagen says automation continues playing a larger role in reducing labor demands and animal stress.
May 23, 2026 11:00 AM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
texas farming stock photo_adobe stock.png
Energy
Texas Agriculture Leaders Push Back on Expanding Data Center Footprint
Commissioner Sid Miller says productive farmland, water resources, and rural infrastructure are increasingly under pressure as data centers continue growing across Texas.
May 23, 2026 08:00 AM
 · 
Frank McCaffrey
Load More

Environmental Law WOTUS Land & Water Management EPA Industry Concerns Ag Education & Resources
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:

peR06YQa.jpg
Rural Money
Rural Money: Will farmers see the remaining $400 million in ERP Phase Two payments promised by the USDA?
Agriculture Accounting Expert Paul Neiffer joined us Friday on Market Day Report to take a further look.
November 03, 2023 12:51 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
hz6Pn0xC.jpg
Livestock
Experts: Dairy industry outlook could be improving based on strong butter demand, herd number trends
Falling feed costs and strong demand for butter could be good news for dairy farmers looking to get their finances back on track.
November 03, 2023 12:38 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
K0piT299.jpg
Machinery
“Farmall Century,” illustrates the evolution & design of the iconic tractor as it reaches a major milestone
Author Lee Klancher joined RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to discuss a new, special edition version of his book, “Farmall Century” hitting the shelves in honor of the iconic tractor’s major milestone and impact on the ag industry over the last century.
November 02, 2023 01:35 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
corn total acre farming.jpg
Crops
Total Acre Farming discuss new product revolutionizing the ag industry
In today’s production update, Total Acre Farming’s David Hula has an enlightening conversation with Jeremy Rountree about a new, industry-disrupting product from Brandt Fungicide.
November 02, 2023 12:23 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
Handshake to be a contract in agreement. Between businessmen and farmers_adobe stock.png
Firm to Farm
Firm to Farm: Split Interest Land Acquisitions — Is It for You? (Part 2)
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.
November 02, 2023 09:00 AM
 · 
Roger A. McEowen
BBlIMNuV.jpg
Feel Good Stories
N.C. sheep producer is helping raise a different kind of flock in the show ring
A story that started with hardship ultimately led to a producer impacting the lives of youth involved in sheep showing. The North Carolina Farm Bureau takes us to Haynes Farm in Dobson, N.C., to hear this inspiring story.
November 01, 2023 12:50 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More