AG COUNCIL NEWS & INFORMATION BRIEF
November 14, 2025
WASHINGTON AG UPDATE
Congress Approves Legislation to End Shutdown: On Wednesday evening, President Trump signed into law a spending package that provided an end to the federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, was the longest in American history. The spending bill included language funding USDA through September with an extension of expiring farm bill provisions and a replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation(CCC), which should make room for USDA to initiate an economic aid plan. For most other government agencies, funding was only provided through January 30th, which will become the next funding deadline for Congress. More...DTNPF | AgWeb | Politico | RFDTV
USDA Expected to Announce Farmer Aid Package Soon: Following the passage of legislation reopening the federal government, many in agriculture are eagerly awaiting the details of what USDA plans to unveil for farmer aid. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has hinted at such a package for several weeks citing economic pressures facing farmers due to trade disruptions, low commodity prices, and inflated cost of production. There is also expectation of other legislative actions from Congress for additional support for farmers. More...AgWeb | HoosierAgToday
SCOTUS Hears Arguments on Trump Tariffs: The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently held hearings for oral arguments regarding President Trump's tariffs on countries around the world. In question is whether the president has the authority to levee such tariffs without congressional approval. The President has relied heavily on the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) for justification for executive action relating to tariffs imposed. More...WSJ | Politico | SCOTUS Blog | SCOTUS Oral Arguments
Fertilizer Inputs Placed on U.S. Critical Minerals List: The Trump Administration recently announced its list of critical minerals, which now include key fertilizer inputs phosphate and potash. The listing signifies the importance of these minerals to the U.S. economy and the supply chain risks they face. The listing should help companies secure mining permits or other federal support to increase domestic production. Additionally, the listing could impact how it is treated in trade policy, particularly how tariffs or other import and export limits may apply. More...DTNPF | DOI Announcement | USGS Critical Minerals List
U.S. Announces Latin American Trade Pacts: On Thursday, November 13, President Trump announced a series of new trade pacts with several nations in the Western Hemisphere. The framework agreements were touted by United States Trade Representative Jamison Greer as a new era of partnership and prosperity across the Western Hemisphere, further advancing the economic and national security interests of the American people. More...WhiteHouse | USTR | FeedStuffs
White House Plans to Eliminate Tariffs on Certain Agricultural Products: On Friday, November 14, United States Trade Representative Jamison Greer indicated that the White House would announce a plan to eliminate tariffs on certain agricultural inputs and products, primarily products that the U.S. does not make or grow domestically. More...Agri-Pulse | Greer Interview on CNBC | Politico
Brazil Hosting COP30 Climate Meeting: Brazil, a place where widespread deforestation and land conversion has led to massive increases in crop production to serve Chinese demand, is currently hosting a global summit by the United Nations on climate concerns. The summit began on November 10 and will conclude on November 21. Brazil is home to some of the most sensitive and biodiverse environmental areas of the world, and these areas are being depleted at a rapid rate to service the wants and demands of China. More...UNCCC Info | COP30-Brazil Homepage | NYT Tracking
Other Ag Related News & Info from Washington:
U.S. Farm Economy Featured on 60 Minutes
USDA Trade Mission to Mexico
Tom Sell Announces Bid for U.S. House
Court Asked to Vacate Corteva's Enlist Herbicide Registration
China Soy Purchases Not Keeping Pace with Agreement
11.14.2025 Agri-Pulse Newsmakers
ARKANSAS AG UPDATE
State Budget Continues to Show Strength: The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration released its year to date revenue numbers in early November, and the report indicated a year to date revenues $90.5 million above forecasts. Revenue totals through the first four months of the fiscal year $41.4 million above the same period last year. More... DFA Report | ArkansasBusiness | TalkBusiness
Governor Announces Arkansas Plate Initiative: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently announced a new statewide initiative to encourage schools to source more Arkansas grown commodities for their meal programs. The initiative is designed to improve Arkansans’ nutrition and strengthen the connection between Arkansas agriculture and students following the transition of federal nutrition programs to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture earlier this year. More...Governor's Announcement | ArkansasPlate Homepage | Rice Promotion Board Funds Rice in Schools Effort
Cotton Council Set to Hold Three PAC Fundraisers Next Week: Next week, National Cotton Council (NCC) Political Action Committee (PAC), which is known as the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton (CAC) will hold three fundraisers in East Arkansas. The gatherings will take place from 4pm until 6pm in Manila (Monday), Marion (Wednesday), and Marianna (Thursday). At the meetings, staff of the NCC will offer policy updates and there will be opportunities for discussion on matters facing the industry. More...Fundraiser Info
Heart of the Farmer Event to Focus on Farmer Mental Health: A collection of entities are co-hosting a farmer focused event at the Northeast Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center on November 18th where participants can learn more about the issues facing crop farmers throughout Arkansas. The event will feature policy updates and overviews of mental health services for those dealing with stress and financial pressures from the down economy. More...KAIT8 News | Facebook Page
Harvest for Hope Offers Free Concert at Pecan Festival in Keo: On Saturday, December 6th, a free concert event at the Arkansas Pecan Festival in Keo is aimed at raising awareness of the mental health challenges plaguing Arkansas farmers and highlighting the resources that are available to support them. Representative Rick Crawford's band, the Triple Nickel, will take part in the music performance. Other well known Arkansas music artists will also perform. The event is open and free to the public. More...TalkBusiness | Facebook Page
Other Arkansas News & Info Links:
Former Tyson CEO Headlines First Speaker Series at UofA Fryar Center
Walmart CEO McMillon to Step Down in January
National Ag Law Center Announces New Fellowship Program with NASDA
Rice Promotion Board Funds Rice in Schools Effort
Rice Hulls for Compost
Arkansas Soil Health Alliance Holds Regenerative Ag Day
Arkansas Hires New State Vet
Upcoming Meetings and Events:
Cotton Council PAC Fundraisers Nov. 17 Manila; Nov. 19 Marion; Nov. 20 Marianna
Heart of the Farmer Nov 20 NERREC Greenfield
Harvest for Hope Dec 6 Keo
Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention | Dec 3-5 Hot Springs
USA Rice Outlook Conference | Dec 7-9 New Orlans
Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Annual Meeting | Dec 9-11 New Orleans
Ag Council of Arkansas Board of Directors Annual Meeting | Dec 11-12 Little Rock
Additional Arkansas Ag Resources:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
NALC Newsletter "The Feed"
ArkansasInc Newsletter
Arkansas Vegetative Drought Geospatial Maps
DeltaPlastics Push4Pickup App
Crop Residue Field Burning Smoke Management FIRESMART App
Arkansas Farm Bureau AgCast Podcast
USDA AMS Service Rates
Ag Council Leadership Opportunities
Apply for Service on State Boards & Commissions
Arkansas Rice Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Soybean Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Research & Promotion Board
Arkansas Wheat Research & Promotion Board
USDA NRCS Arkansas Offices
Arkansas Crops Update
UADA Crop Budgets (2025) | UADA Crop Profit/Loss Calculator App
UADA Fryar Center Podcast
AcreHedge Crop Budget App
UADA Verification Information
UAEX Research Studies Reports
Arkansas Row Crop Risk Management
Pine Tree Discoloration & Mortality Reporting
Feral Hog Task Force
Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines
Digital Edition of Delta Farm Press
H-2A Guidebook by Congressman Crawford
Enrollment Link: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
ECONOMIC & INDUSTRY NEWS
November 14 WASDE Report: On Friday, November 14, USDA issued a World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) Report. The report provides important data estimates for the supply and demand for primary commodities in the U.S. and around the world. The November WASDE was the first report since the government shutdown, and it included several revisions from the previous report. More...WASDE Report | Secretary's Briefing (Slides | Video) | ProFarmer Market Reaction to WASDE
Other Economic & Industry News:
November 15 ProFarmer Newsletter
November 14 Nutrien Weather Forecast
CNBC Commodity Futures Tracker
Other USDA Reports:
November Crop Production Report
Additional reports were not issued in October through today due to the government shutdown...
Other links of Interest:
USDA Daily Arkansas Grain Bids
Morning Coffee & Ag Markets Podcast from UADA Economists
DTN Commodity Market Insights
Nutrien Ag Solutions Weather Reports
UADA Fundamentals of Federal Crop Insurance
USA Rice Daily
RiceStuff Podcast Homepage
Arkansas-Crops Blog
UADA Ag News Blog
USDA County Cash Rent Estimates
Arkansas Economic Profile: 2025 Pocket Facts - News | USDA Arkansas Ag Economic Overview | Arkansas Ag Census Data | Arkansas Historical Data
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