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

  • IP-USA-Rice-Travels-with-USDA-to-Africa,-CROPPED-151120 USA Rice Travels with USDA on Trade Mission to Africa

    Nov 18, 2015

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a week-long Agribusiness Trade Mission to Sub-Saharan Africa here, setting up meetings with local entities interested in establishing trade relations with U.S. companies. The U.S. delegation, led by USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden and including USA Rice and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, is the largest ever to visit West Africa. Full story
  • Joe Mencer checks rice in his field Margin Protection Price Discovery for Rice Begins in December

    Nov 09, 2015

    Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rolled out Margin Protection, a "next generation" crop insurance product available to rice producers in select counties in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas for the 2016 crop year. The price discovery period for rice is set to begin on December 15, and expected margins and premiums will be updated daily thereafter. The program was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and has been carefully developed by USA Rice in partnership with the consulting firm, Watts and Associates, Inc. Full story
  • GA-House Passes Budget-151029 House Passes 2-year Budget Deal, Promises to Reverse Cuts to Crop Insurance

    Oct 29, 2015

    Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015 which raised the debt ceiling until March 2017 and increased federal spending by $80 billion over two years. Fortunately for agriculture, the previously reported $3 billion cut to federal crop insurance will be reversed during the Appropriations process later this fall. Full story