I wanted to remind all my blog readers about New York Farm Bureau‘s animal welfare conference this Thursday, October 15th, at the Clarion Hotel in Albany, New York. A myriad of livestock animal welfare issues will be discussed. I will be a panelist for the day speaking about livestock animal cruelty laws in New York with Richard McNally, a former …
Bull Fighting To Be Left in Mexico
A few years ago, I was visiting a friend of mine in San Diego and we decided to attend a bull fight in Tijuana, Mexico. It was certainly an experience to say the least. I tried to appreciate the event from a cultural standpoint but as an animal lover, it was difficult to watch the bull fight. It reminded me …
Connecticut State Budget Hurts Ag Programs
On October 1st, agriculture programs in Connecticut experienced increases in registration fees and budget decreases for various agriculture programs. Agriculture registration fees in particular significantly increased. Fees under $150 doubled while fees between $150 and $1000 increased by 25%. Previous fees over $1000 experienced a $250 increase. It is unfortunate in the current state of the economy that Connecticut implemented …
Legalese: “Mens Rea”
We’ve heard the term in reference to crimes but what does it mean? Put simply – mens rea refers to criminal intent and is Latin for “guilty mind.” It is rooted in the Latin phrase actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea which means “the act does not make a person guilty unless the mind be also guilty.” There …
Beef Cattle Blogs To Follow
As I mentioned in this previous blog, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (“NCBA”) Young Producers’ Council (“YPC”) start a new blog “Cattle Call” that can be found here. There has been a lot of hype and chatter about the new blog– I’m very excited to read the viewpoints on these young leaders in the beef industry. There has been an increase …
Ag Torts 101: The Common Law Elements of Negligence
Sorry that it’s been awhile since I have revisited this blog series. I look forward to going through the common torts applicable in the agriculture industry. As I stated in this previous blog, I will first delve into the common law elements of negligence. The term “common law” refers to law determined through judicial decisions, instead of legislatures. Though there …
Legalese: “Quid Pro Quo”
In addition to my Ag Torts 101 series (next blog coming soon!), I’m starting another series where I help define legalese. First up is one of my favorite contract law terms – “quid pro quo” (pronounced “kwid proh kwoh”). It is not commonly used but it sure is fun to say! It is Latin for “something for something” (or a …
Debrief of AALA Conference
As I stated in this previous post, I spent last Thursday thru Saturday at the American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. Next year’s conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska. I find conferences like this rejuvenating. It’s great to meet other agriculture attorneys around the country to help strengthen a passion for agriculture law. As I mentioned …
Will Be Attending the 2009 AALA Conference
I will be attending the 2009 American Agriculture Law Association (“AALA”) Conference held in Williamsburg, Virgina this Friday, September 25th, and Saturday, September 26th. AALA has an exciting round of speakers and panelists this year. I am excited to listen to some of the most renown experts in agriculture law speak on a wide breadth of issues affecting farmers and …
The Indictment of Ernest Paragallo
As I mentioned in this blog, Ernest Paragallo was arrested last spring for the malnourishment and neglect of horses on Long Island, New York. 177 race horses were seized from his property and he was charged with 35 misdemeanor counts. After studying the indictment, Paragollo’s 35 misdemeanor counts are an alleged violation of Section 353 of the Agriculture and Markets …
YPC “Cattle Call”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (“NCBA”) Young Producers’ Council (“YPC”) blog titled “Cattle Call” is finally up on the web! You can find the blog here on NCBA’s website. You can also find Eddy Arnold’s version of the “Cattle Call” here (Sorry, I couldn’t resist). YPC has some great bloggers from very diverse backgrounds. I am looking forward to reading …
Ag Torts 101: So What Exactly Is A “Tort?”
I’m starting a new blog series where I will work through different torts that affect farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. I think it is important for livestock producers, farmers, and business people involved in this great industry to be cognizant of the main areas of law that affect their everyday life. I will try to make the tort lessons bite size …