Farmers are struggling to make critical decisions ahead of the spring thaw, as billions of dollars in promised payments remain frozen by the Trump administration.

A federal judge on Friday seemed likely to extend his earlier block on the Trump administration's freeze on federal grants and other financial assistance, suggesting the broad initiative was beyond the powers of federal agencies.

After hearing arguments Friday, Judge John McConnell Jr. said he will rule within a week on whether to further require the Trump administration to keep federal funding flowing.