The rice industry prides itself on its commitment to the conservation of natural resources and the institution of practices that provide habitat to wetland dependent wildlife and waterfowl. Working lands programs are good for the environment and for rice farmers. The voluntary-incentive based conservation model used by the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has worked well. 

Rice farmers have been able to significantly improve their environmental footprint through practices implemented through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This program has provided rice farmers funds to better manage water resources through irrigation efficiency, water quality, and erosion control. For more information on our work through this program click here.

Recent News

  • McKinney USDA's McKinney Emphasizes Finding New Markets for U.S. Ag Products

    Nov 22, 2017

    USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney has stressed the importance of looking for new trading partners in emerging markets, saying the U.S.'s current trading partners alone will not provide the growth in exports required and expected. Full story
  • Meeting with farmers sitting around tables, listening to presenter, eating dinner New Mid-South RCPP Deadlines Approaching

    Nov 15, 2017

    Over the past month, USA Rice hosted outreach meetings across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri to spread the word about the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Mid-South Graduated Water Stewardship, that will bring financial assistance to rice producers implementing working lands conservation programs throughout the four states. Full story
  • USDA Logo WASDE Report Released

    Nov 09, 2017

    Total 2017/18 U.S. rice supplies are increased marginally this month to 248.9 million cwt as higher projected imports (primarily Thai fragrant rice) offset slightly lower production. In the November Crop Production report, NASS reduced the 2017/18 U.S. crop size by 200,000 cwt to 178.4 million on lower forecast yield. This is 20 percent less than last year and would be the lowest U.S. rice production since 1996/97. Full story