Despite court mandates, USDA fights to withhold full November SNAP benefits (Agri-Pulse): The USDA is actively challenging a court-ordered mandate to disburse full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, arguing it lacks legislative authorization to make full payments during the government shutdown. Despite mounting pressure from the courts—which pointed to “widespread harm” from delaying benefits as winter approaches—the USDA has contended that deploying funds designated under Section 32 for full SNAP distributions would drain resources and steps to comply were not properly resourced during the shutdown.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins submitted a letter to the Supreme Court yesterday, confirming the USDA’s continued push for the stay.
For farmers and those in the rural economy, this fight means added uncertainty for the households that buy their products and participate in SNAP. The full resolution depends on Congress ending the shutdown or approving funding for the month.
Trump directs DOJ to probe “foreign-owned” meatpackers amid beef price surge (AP News): The Trump administration has accused major meat-packing firms—particularly those with foreign ownership—of artificially driving up beef prices in the U.S. and has asked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation. Trump claims that despite falling cattle prices, “boxed beef” prices have continued to climb, suggesting collusion, price-fixing, or manipulation by large packers he describes as “majority foreign owned.”
For farmers and ranchers, this signals a potential shift in how federal regulators may approach the meat supply chain. Trump’s move comes after ranchers raised concerns that high retail beef prices weren’t translating into higher cattle returns, and that packer consolidation was limiting their bargaining power. Experts caution, however, that the evidence of wrongdoing is thin and note that other factors—such as drought reducing herd size, tight cattle supply, and strong consumer demand—are major drivers of beef prices.