November 06, 2025

Supreme Court Skeptical of Trump Tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court had tough questions for the Trump administration about the legality of tariffs imposed on almost every U.S. trading partner by President Trump. The Guardian said the justices began hearing oral arguments on Wednesday morning, with even conservative justices sounding doubtful about the strength of the administration’s position. The tariffs are at the heart of President Trump’s policy platform, and justices were doubtful about the law that the White House used to impose steep duties on imports from around the world. In a series of executive orders signed earlier this year, Trump cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a 1977 law which, in some circumstances, grants the president authority to regulate or prohibit international transactions during a national emergency, as he slapped steel duties on imports into the U.S. Lower courts have ruled against President Trump’s tariffs, prompting appeals from the White House to the nation’s highest court.

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China Buys More Brazilian Soybeans

After leaders between the two countries met last week, China will suspend retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, including duties on some farm goods. While Beijing confirmed that this week, U.S. soybeans still face a 13 percent tariff. Reuters said China’s tariff commission of the State Council is eliminating duties of up to 15 percent imposed on some U.S. agricultural goods on November 10. Tariffs of ten percent introduced in response to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” duties will stay in place. Traders say that despite the tariff cut, importers looking at U.S. soybeans still face a tariff of 13 percent, which makes U.S. shipments more expensive for commercial buyers compared to Brazil soybean shipments. “We don’t expect any demand from China to return to the U.S. market with this change,” one trader at an international company said to Reuters. “Brazil is cheaper than the U.S., and even non-Chinese buyers are taking Brazilian cargoes.” 

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Cover Crop Adoption

It’s important to remember two things about farmers’ cover crop adoption rates. First, those adoption rates have ebbs and flows. Second, sometimes conservation practices aren’t continued for many reasons. Data from the last five years of Ag Economy Barometer Surveys were used to determine trends in cover crops. From 2021 to 2025, the percentage of Ag Economy Barometer survey respondents reporting cover crops ranged from 52 to 57 percent, and averaged 53 percent in September 2025. Another 21 percent of the September 2025 respondents reported planting cover crops in the past, but no longer use them in their operations. In September 2025, the average number of years respondents have planted cover crops was 10.5. However, the distribution is skewed a bit, as 72 percent of the respondents said they have planted cover crops for ten years or less. Another 26 percent of the September respondents said they’ve never planted cover crops. 

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No Plan Yet to Open U.S. to Mexican Cattle Imports 

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. isn’t ready to open its border once again to cattle imports from Mexico. Despite that, Rollins said Mexico’s efforts to contain the flesh-eating New World Screwworm are progressing well. The border has been largely closed to imports of Mexican livestock since May. Rollins recently traveled to Mexico City to meet with officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, to tell them that the White House is focused on reopening the border. “We’re still not in a spot where I’m comfortable opening up the ports, but I think with every day that goes by, we’re getting a little closer,” Rollins told Reuters. She wants to know for sure that both countries have overturned every stone, that every nuance is understood, and they’ve deployed every tool in each country’s toolkits. Rollins didn’t give a specific timeline for reopening the southern U.S. border to Mexican cattle imports.

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NCGA Wants Full USMCA Renewal

Pointing to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s role in facilitating and strengthening U.S. corn exports to Mexico and Canada, the National Corn Growers Association urged the White House to support a full 16-year renewal of the agreement. NCGA President Jed Bower made the request in comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In the comments, the corn growers highlight where clarifications are needed in the agreement, but overwhelmingly conveyed support for preserving the text of the agreement. “Without a doubt, USMCA has successfully contributed to the expansion of U.S. agricultural exports and has enormously benefited American corn growers,” Bower said. “Additionally, U.S. growers rely on the North American railroad system, which allows corn to be competitive against South American producers.” The leaders of all three countries must consider whether to extend the USMCA and are required to begin the review by July 2026. If not, it automatically expires in 2036. 

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Farm State of Mind Alliance Launched

The American Farm Bureau is expanding the reach of its landmark Farm State of Mind Initiative to a broader coalition of food and farm sector partners. AFB is joining forces with the Farm Family Wellness Alliance to launch the Farm State of Mind Alliance. “This is a critical time for mental health in rural America,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers are facing economic uncertainty like they haven’t seen in a generation.” Duvall has heard firsthand how their Farm State of Mind resources are changing lives, and he’s proud to broaden the coalition and bring more organizations alongside the Farm Bureau message that it’s okay to not be okay. “No one should have to carry the burden alone,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew, whose organization is a member of the alliance. Existing Farm State of Mind resources will remain at farmstateofmind.org, or go to fsomalliance.org.

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