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.
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Chad Collin, founder of The Quack Pack USA, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share his expertise in training Border Collies to serve as indispensable farm and ranch dogs.
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Lawmakers and ag industry groups welcomed the confirmations, citing the direct impact of these leaders on western ranchers, water and land management, conservation programs, and regulatory reform.
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More than 100 pork producers traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers and underscore the threat to small family farms.
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Now the Senate must pass a version of the spending bill before the Sept. 30 deadline.
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