J & M Cattle Co. v. Farmers National Bank
330 P.3d 1048
Idaho2014Background
- FNB holds a perfected security interest in dairy cattle subject to J&M’s agister’s lien.
- Green River Dairy defaulted on its obligations to FNB.
- J&M began caring for the cattle and later asserted an agister’s lien for services.
- Net sale proceeds from cattle were insufficient to satisfy both liens.
- District court held J&M’s agister’s lien priority over FNB’s security interest, final judgment for J&M; FNB appealed.
- Timeline includes 2006 and 2008 loans, 2011 possession transfer to J&M, 2012 sale notice, 2013 final judgment.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether agister’s lien has priority over a prior perfected security interest | FNB argues security interest predates lien | J&M argues agister’s lien has priority | Agister’s lien has priority over prior perfected security interest |
Key Cases Cited
- Lombardi, Inc. v. Smithfield, 11 A.3d 1180 (Del. 1989) (irreparable harm factor guidance (example))
- Hearth Admins., Corp v. City of New York, 394 F.3d 382 (2d Cir. 2012) (public policy arguments rarely factor into injunction outcomes (example))
- Barzingus v. Wilheim, 306 F.3d 17 (10th Cir. 2010) (arbitration mootness and standard comparison (example))
- Stonebrook Const., LLC v. Chase Home Fin., LLC, 277 P.3d 374 (Idaho 2012) (statutory interpretation approach; ambiguity leads to look at legislative intent)
- Sweeney v. Otter, 804 P.2d 308 (Idaho 1990) (express language requirement for express priority rules)
- Saint Alphonsus Diversified Care, Inc. v. MRI Assocs., LLP, 224 P.3d 1068 (Idaho 2009) (definition of express and interpretive approach)
- Druffel v. State, Dep’t of Transp., 41 P.3d 739 (Idaho 2002) (legislative history consideration in statutory interpretation)
- Curlee v. Kootenai Cnty. Fire & Rescue, 224 P.3d 458 (Idaho 2008) (statutory interpretation standards and reasonableness)
- Teurlings v. Larson, 320 P.3d 1224 (Idaho 2014) (summary judgment standard and standard of review)
- Sanders v. Bd. of Trs. of Mountain Home Sch. Dist. No. 193, 322 P.3d 1002 (Idaho 2014) (statutory interpretation and review)