Around the Country

Agriculture is 80% of Water Use in California. Why Aren't Farmers Being Forced to Cut Back? Washington Post

Governor Brown made the point on Wednesday that agriculture has borne the brunt of California's drought, which is in its fourth year. There's truth to this. Economists estimate that in 2014, the drought cost farmers about $2.2 billion through lost crops and increased water costs. They believe that the impact of the drought on the agricultural sector eliminated 17,100 jobs from the state economy.

Californians with Century Old Water Rights Face Restrictions KPCC

The State Water Resources Control Board could place restrictions on those with claims to water before 1914 for the first time in the current drought. The so-called senior rights holder are prioritized and protected from cuts under California's antiquated water rights system.

Medium Grain can have a Fit in Mid-South Rice, If It Has a Home Delta Farm Press

Questions remain about how much lower California's acreage will go and whether medium grain in the Mid-South can substitute for medium grain in California. Another issue is whether rice prices are high enough to bring more rice into production in the Mid-South.

Perspectives of the Mississippi Delta -- Photos by Rory Doyle Delta Farm Press

Includes several photographs of rice harvest.

Tariffs and Trade

Chinese, Indian Rice Subsidies Altering Export Landscape Delta Farm Press

Robert Cummings, the chief operating officer at the USA Rice Federation talking about support programs in China: "There are two ways to value those supports. We looked at two different ways of doing it and came up with value of supports for the rice sector of either $12 billion or $37 billion. That's a big range, but, in either case, both of those figures are well above the $8 billion WTO ceiling for China's domestic subsidies for any one crop in 2013-14."

Rice Subsidy Program Cost Thailand $27 Billion Delta Farm Press

At the same time China, India, Thailand and Vietnam have been pouring resources into supporting their rice producers, the last two farm bills have seen a steady decline in support for U.S. growers, USA Rice's Robert Cummings noted.

Vilsack Calls on Ag Stakeholders to Lobby for Fast-Track Trade Authority Agri-Pulse

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is urging farmers, ranchers and agribusiness owners to "personally lobby" Congress to quickly pass fast track negotiating authority for President Obama and to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.