Sandhill cranes wintering in a California rice field (photo by Mary Wurlitzer)
Nov 10, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely participated in a panel before the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) Government Affairs Committee to discuss the next farm bill and current issues being faced by the agriculture industry, including climate change.
The panel consisted of government affairs professionals from agricultural organizations who provided an overview of priorities within their respective organizations. NCFC is the trade association representing regional and national farmer cooperatives.
“Climate smart agricultural initiatives, while well intended but only focused on carbon sequestration and emissions reduction would limit rice grower participation. We also need to be incentivizing biodiversity and habitat and those provided environmental co-benefits,” said Mosely. “It’s important that whatever climate policy comes about is voluntary, does not take a one-size-fits all approach, and does not inhibit farmers from producing crops like rice.”
Additionally, the panel voiced concerns surrounding current fertilizer and other farm input prices and supply challenges.
“Rice prices have been flat for the past eight years, and continue to lag behind other commodity prices,” Mosely added. “Market receipts plus farm safety net benefits have not kept up with rising costs. Added to the surge in farm input costs and the potential for shortages of those input supplies and rice farmers aren’t breaking even. We are looking at all options to assist our farmers.”