Arkansas farm groups press Congress as farm bill advances

Arkansas groups take concerns to Congress

Representatives of Arkansas Rice, Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Council of Arkansas and AgHeritage Farm Credit Association met with nearly two dozen congressional offices during the week of Sept. 17, 2026.

USA Rice said the organizations focused on the financial pressure facing farmers across the Mid-South. Their meetings came as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after the Labor Day recess and a farm bill passed out of committee.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its estimated total cost of producing rice in the 2026 crop year from to. USA Rice attributed much of that increase to higher fuel and fertilizer costs.

Rice producers cite cost pressures

Arkansas’ average diesel price was on Sept. 17, compared with one year earlier, based on AAA figures cited by USA Rice. The organization also said cash prices received by farmers remained below rice futures prices, limiting producers’ ability to cover debt, reinvest in their farms and build capital.

Lake Village rice farmer Joe Mencer said production costs had increased by more than 103% since 2005 and that many farmers expected losses reaching hundreds of dollars per acre.

Groups seek additional assistance

The Arkansas organizations urged Congress to pursue more economic assistance along the lines outlined earlier in 2026 by Arkansas Sen. John Boozman and North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven. They joined national agriculture, banking, farm credit and commodity organizations in making the request.

USA Rice said rice farmers lost more than per acre in 2025 even after receiving Farmer Bridge Assistance payments in February. The farm bill’s movement out of committee marked one step in the congressional process while the groups continued pressing lawmakers on farm costs and short-term assistance.