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Note: This website is intended to provide general information about legal issues, crop insurance, farm policy, and other risk management issues and should not be construed as providing legal advice. It should not be cited or relied upon as legal authority. For advice about how the issues discussed here might apply to your individual situation, you should consult an attorney.

Welcome to the Maryland Risk Management Education Blog, provided by the University of Maryland Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and features the work of the Maryland Crop Insurance Education program and the University of Maryland - MPowering the State's Agriculture Law Education Initiative, a University of Maryland Extension Signature Program. This blog provides readers with information on risk management issues important to Maryland agriculture, upcoming events, and new materials that may interest readers.

Healthy Pastures, Healthy Soils – New Resource for Maryland Livestock Producers

Megan Todd

Mar 27, 2020
2 min

Healthy Pastures, Healthy Soils – New Resource for Maryland Livestock Producers

By Margaret Todd This article is not a substitute for legal advice. See here for the site’s reposting policy. Maryland farmers are no strangers to the notion that healthy soils are good for business – Maryland boasts one of the highest rates of cover crop and no-till cost-share participation in the United States. Healthy soils not only make businesses more profitable, but also improve water quality and help Maryland achieve its water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay. Pro

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Admin

Feb 9, 2018
2 min

Weekly Roundup Feb. 9th

By Sarah Fielder Dicamba Class Actions Consolidated Into Eastern District of Missouri Last week, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation agreed to consolidate the dicamba lawsuits filed against Monsanto in the Eastern District of Missouri. Monsanto had argued that consolidation was not needed, but argued that if the panel did consolidate then it should be in the Eastern District of Missouri. To learn more about the consolidation, click here http://bit.ly/2nPa94F. Far

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Organic Trade Association Suing USDA Over Failure to Enact Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards

Sarah Everhart

Sep 27, 2017
2 min

Organic Trade Association Suing USDA Over Failure to Enact Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards

By Sarah Everhart This is not a substitute for legal advice. See here for the site’s reposting policy. On September 13, 2017, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regarding the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. The rule amends the existing organic livestock and poultry production requirements by adding new provisions for livestock handling and

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Admin

May 19, 2017
2 min

Weekly Roundup May 19th

By Sarah Fielder Recent Webinar Looked at Farm Financials For Succession Planning University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Profitability and UW Extension recently held a webinar covering farm finances in relation to farm succession. The webinar featured Kevin Bernhardt and is a part of a larger series on farm succession in the dairy industry. To learn more about the webinar series or watch the video from the most recent webinar, see http://bit.ly/2qsMMP7. EPA Wants Commen

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Maryland’s New Antibiotics in Livestock Law: What Does it Mean for Your Farm?

Sarah Everhart

May 16, 2017
3 min

Maryland’s New Antibiotics in Livestock Law: What Does it Mean for Your Farm?

By Sarah Everhart During the recent Maryland General Assembly session, the “Keeping Antibiotics Effective Act of 2017” (the Antibiotics Act) was passed into law. The controversial Act was amended substantially before its passage. Proponents of the Antibiotics Act want the use of antibiotics in cattle, swine, and poultry controlled to prevent the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans. Yet the need for the Antibiotics Act baffled some, given the federal Veteri

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Proposed USDA Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards- Do You Have A Comment?

Sarah Everhart

Jul 5, 2016
2 min

Proposed USDA Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards- Do You Have A Comment?

By Sarah Everhart The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed amended organic livestock and poultry production requirements on April 7. Unlike other voluntary animal welfare labels and/or standards created and overseen by animal welfare organization or food companies, organic livestock and poultry production requirements are backed by federal law and verified by third-party inspections. The National Organic Program, part of the

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Does Strict Liability Apply to the Noise of Fireworks Causing a Dairy Cow Stampede?

Admin

Apr 5, 2016
3 min

Does Strict Liability Apply to the Noise of Fireworks Causing a Dairy Cow Stampede?

By Ashley Ellixson Today’s title may have you scratching your head and I completely understand why. Do fireworks and dairy cows even belong in the same sentence? I hear you. Today’s post is based on a court case right here in Maryland. Although this case was decided in Maryland, however, that does not mean it will not apply in other states. So if you are a farmer in Delaware or Virginia, this may still be important for you to know. It all began when a church-sponsored fire

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Administering Antibiotics to Livestock- Federal and Potentially State Legal Controls

Sarah Everhart

Mar 22, 2016
2 min

Administering Antibiotics to Livestock- Federal and Potentially State Legal Controls

By Sarah Everhart According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, at least 2 million people in the United States become infected with bacteria resistant to antibiotics each year, and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. To address this health concern, identical bills have been introduced into the Maryland House (HB829) and Senate (SB607) which aim to prohibit producers from administering antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs to cattle, swine, or

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Transitioning Your Livestock or Dairy Operation to Grass Fed? Learn About Available Resources

Sarah Everhart

Mar 1, 2016
2 min

Transitioning Your Livestock or Dairy Operation to Grass Fed? Learn About Available Resources

By Sarah Everhart Given the growing demand for grass fed meats and dairy products, many operators are contemplating either transitioning their existing operation to grass fed or establishing a grass fed livestock component of their operation. The good news for those interested in grass fed operations is that there is a growing pool of available resources on this topic. Currently, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation runs a Maryland Grazers Network which establishes mentorships betw

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The Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act (PRIME)- Making Meat More Affordable?

Sarah Everhart

Jan 27, 2016
2 min

The Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act (PRIME)- Making Meat More Affordable?

By Sarah Everhart In July 2015, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act (PRIME) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would allow individual states to develop their own rules for distribution of custom-slaughtered meat within state lines. Since 1967, when Congress passed the Wholesome Meat Act, producers have been required to use a USDA-inspection facility for processing if they wish to sell meat directly to consumers, restaurants, an

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Res Ipsa Loquitur and Escaping Livestock: Or the Time Paul Used a Lot of Latin

Paul Goeringer

Oct 7, 2015
3 min

Res Ipsa Loquitur and Escaping Livestock: Or the Time Paul Used a Lot of Latin

This post should not be construed as legal advice. Earlier this year, Ashley posted on liability from livestock escaping and recently, I posted on a court decision applying how a court might look at escaping livestock liability . One issue we did not consider was whether the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur could apply. Res ipsa loquitur is Latin for “the thing speaks for itself.” In a traditional negligence case, the injured party must provide evidence to prove duty of care,

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Legal Issues in Animal Agriculture: Understanding the Recent Idaho Ag Gag Law Ruling

Paul Goeringer

Sep 27, 2015
2 min

Legal Issues in Animal Agriculture: Understanding the Recent Idaho Ag Gag Law Ruling

By Ashley Ellixson A recent federal court ruling in Idaho has brought the debate over so-called “ag gag” laws to a head in many areas of the country. But what does it mean for attorneys, agricultural service professionals, educators and producers? On November 5th at 1 pm EST, the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Agricultural Law Education Initiative and co-sponsors will host a one-hour webinar entitled Legal Issues in Animal Agriculture: Understanding

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Virginia Court Dismisses Suit Involving Livestock In Streams

Admin

Sep 8, 2015
2 min

Virginia Court Dismisses Suit Involving Livestock In Streams

By Ashley Ellixson On July 9, 2015, a Richmond Court judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (Foundation) and other environmental groups against the Commonwealth of Virginia (Commonwealth) after the Virginia State Water Control Board amended the Virginia Pollution Abatement General Permit for Animal Feeding Operations on March 28, 2014. The Foundation argued that the amendment failed to align with Commonwealth’s duties under the Constitution of Virginia, t

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Developing a Biosecurity Plan for Employees

Sarah Everhart

May 7, 2015
4 min

Developing a Biosecurity Plan for Employees

By Sarah Everhart Biosecurity is a set of measures designed to prevent the spread of disease on your property and in your poultry and livestock. Biosecurity planning is a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and productivity of your poultry and livestock. There are three major components to any biosecurity plan: traffic control, sanitation and isolation. While many farmers create a biosecurity plan for farm visitors, it is also advisable for agricultural employers to

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Paul Goeringer

Feb 24, 2015
5 min

Let’s Look at the Farmers’ Rights Act

This post should not constitute legal advice or lobbying for or against this piece of legislation. The purpose of this post is to review the possible implications of proposed legislation. Recently, the Maryland General Assembly’s House of Delegates and Senate both introduced legislation entitled Farmers’ Rights Act (HB 1019 & SB 532). If enacted,how would the legislation potentially impact Maryland agriculture? Let’s take a look at it today and see. The Farmers’ Rights Act

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New Extension Fact Sheet on Livestock Liability Issues Has Been Released

Paul Goeringer

Nov 14, 2014
1 min

New Extension Fact Sheet on Livestock Liability Issues Has Been Released

You may have noticed here lately we have announced a few new publications have been released. You maybe asking yourselves, “Paul, how do you write blog posts, present at meetings, and still have time to author publications?” The answer is simple; these have been working their way through the UME peer review process and were done months ago. We will not always be turning out publications at this level, so enjoy them while they are being released. Today, the Agriculture Law

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To Fence or Not to Fence: That is the Question

Paul Goeringer

May 15, 2014
3 min

To Fence or Not to Fence: That is the Question

This column originally appeared in the March 25, 2014 issue of the Delmarva Farmer newspaper. Note: This article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney and should not be viewed as legal advice. According to the 2007 Census of Ag, Maryland had roughly 5,970 livestock operations and Delaware had roughly 1,372 livestock operations. These livestock operations are asked to co-exist among grain, vegetable, or orchard production, or commercial or residential development.

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