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Rice Production Program sign-up starts soon

Sign-up for the USDA’s Rice Production Program will begin the week of May 8 for farmers who experienced losses in the 2022 growing season. 

The program will provide up to $250 million to rice farmers based on planted and prevent plant acres for the one-time program. Types of rice that are eligible are short, medium, and long-grain rice, including japonica, temperate, and sweet rice. Industrial and wild rice aren’t eligible. 

The Farm Service Agency will send out pre-filled applications to producers using information on file with the agency through crop insurance agents or the county FSA office. To apply, farmers must return the completed application to their local FSA office by July 10. USDA says producers who filed late do not qualify.

The FSA says the initial payment will be a reduced rate of one cent per pound and if money remains at the end of the application period, producers will get a second payment.

FSA will calculate Rice Production Program payments by multiplying the payment rate, individual average actual production history (APH), as reported to RMA, or county yield and an amount of certified rice acres determined by the number of planted acres and acres that were prevented from being planted. And if applicable, USDA says a prevent plant factor of 60% will be applied.

There are also payment limits for the program. Read more.