Rice Aid Likely Coming from Congress

Odds rising rice aid will be part of omnibus spending measure

Some potentially very good news for rice growers. The odds are rising that Congress via a coming omnibus spending bill could include aid for rice growers who have faced surging inputs costs, especially fertilizer, while not experiencing the relatively high prices received by other growers, especially corn and soybeans.

     An aid program of over $300 million is being discussed, with payments per planted acre of the 2022 crop of $110 to $130. Apparently, this would be separate from an expected extension of the Economic Relief Program for eligible 2022 crops and livestock.

     Sources caution details can still change along with the fate of the aid package, but contacts on both sides of the political aisle signal support is rising for the assistance.

     More information if available on this topic will come in The Week Ahead to be filed later today.