Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Now Open for Enrollment

By Tyson Redpath, The Russell Group 

The USDA has announced signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Program covering the 2019 and 2020 crop years. Updated by the 2018 Farm Bill, these revised safety net programs allow California rice growers to enroll and elect coverage in crop-by-crop ARC-County or PLC, or ARC-individual for the entire farm, for program year 2019. This election will apply for the 2019 and 2020 crop years.

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Updated Farm Bill Decision Tool now available

Growers later this year will need to decide which Farm Bill safety-net program to participate in. Well-known attorney Tim Kelleher has an updated decision tool that should simplify the process

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Key California Rice Priorities will become law as Congress approves a new five-year Farm Bill

By Tyson Redpath, The Russell Group

Capping a year-long process to reauthorize federal food and agriculture policy, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved a new, five-year farm bill with a vote of 369-47 following Senate approval on Tuesday. Pending the signature of President Trump, the legislation will become law. READ MORE

Farm Bill deal reached

By Tyson Redpath, The Russell Group

A tentative agreement has been reached by the leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on a fresh rewrite of food and agriculture law in a new Farm Bill. Pending a new cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and finalizing the legislative text of the agreement, the new Farm Bill could be approved by the House and Senate as soon as next week. READ MORE

Farm Bill Stuck until Lame Duck

By Tyson Redpath, the Russell Group

A finished farm bill is still a way off as Congress has left Washington to run for election on November 6. When it returns, a month and a half is the entirety of time left before a December 31 deadline forces all sides to an agreement on a new bill or the extension of current law. READ MORE