Rice farmers make long-term decisions based on many factors, some including uncertain market conditions and adverse weather.  As a tool for making effective and lasting choices with these factors in mind, farmers use risk management provisions provided through the Farm Bill, such as commodity support programs and crop insurance. 

The current Farm Bill provides a modest safety-net for farmers who must contend with depressed prices, increased costs of production, thin margins, and revenue losses due to natural disasters.

Recent News

  • Cartoon of Bill sitting on Capitol Hill from Schoolhouse Rock 2018 Farm Bill Released

    Apr 13, 2018

    House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) introduced his draft of the 2018 Farm Bill, formally known as H.R. 2, The Agriculture & Nutrition Act of 2018, yesterday after months of negotiations. The bill’s nutrition and food stamp provisions are controversial, and have actually divided the Committee along partisan lines, but the other titles reflect the good work that Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) have done to craft a strong bill that supports farmers who are facing trade uncertainty and who have weathered consecutive years of down prices. Full story
  • USDA Logo WASDE Report Released

    Apr 10, 2018

    U.S. 2017/18 rice ending stocks are raised 4.1 million cwt to 33.3 million, mostly on decreased exports. These ending stock levels still remain below the 5-year average. The 4-million-cwt decrease in exports is divided evenly between long-grain and medium- and short-grain. Rough and milled rice exports are also lowered by 3 and 1 million cwt, respectively. Full story
  • USDA Logo USDA Implements up to $2.36 Billion to Help Agricultural Producers Recover after 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires

    Apr 06, 2018

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). Sign-up for the new program, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will begin no later than July 16. Full story