Sampling and submission are required 

Nitrate (NO₃) in soil can often be found in rural and agricultural areas due to fertilizer, livestock waste, and septic systems.  Nitrate can be highly mobile in soil and can readily leach to groundwater.  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, when present in groundwater, nitrate can cause serious health effects if consumed.

The California Rice Commission’s Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) requires, beginning in 2022, each Grower (or landowner) to conduct annual testing for nitrates only in drinking water supply wells present on parcels where rice is produced.  The results are reported directly from the analytical laboratory to the State’s GeoTracker database (only APN and well sample data available to the public).

• If the nitrate concentration is below 8 mg/L nitrate+nitrite as N in three consecutive annual samples, the Grower (or landowner) may conduct sampling once every five years going forward.  

• If the nitrate concentration is between 8 mg/L and 10 mg/L nitrate+nitrite as N, the Grower (or landowner) must continue annual sampling. 

• If the nitrate concentration exceeds 10 mg/L of nitrate+nitrite as N, the Grower (or landowner) must provide notice to the users within 10 days of learning of the exceedance and send a copy of the notice to the Central Valley Water Board.  If your sample result was greater than 10 mg/L and you have notified all drinking water well users and the Central Valley Water Board, you can stop further sampling.

The laboratory submittal template, notification template, sample collection methods, frequently asked questions, and more information are located at CalRiceNews.org under the Drinking Water Well button.  Please only use a laboratory with a California ELAP certification.  Some labs may be able to provide a sample collection service for a fee.  Keep a copy of your results for your records.

Your participation in this program helps ensure compliance with WDR requirements and safeguards drinking water resources.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org.

The post Drinking Water Well Testing for Nitrates first appeared on California Rice News.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) recently announced the recipients of its 2026 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards, honoring individuals and groups whose work has significantly advanced wetland and waterfowl conservation across North America.

The California Rice Commission (CRC) is a deserving recipient of the 2026 Wetland Conservation Achievement Award in recognition of its extraordinary and enduring contributions to wetland conservation, waterfowl habitat, and the sustainability of working rice landscapes in California. For more than three decades, winterflooded rice fields in the Sacramento Valley have functioned as surrogate wetlands, providing essential habitat for millions of migratory waterfowl along the Pacific Flyway at a time when more than 90 percent of California’s historic wetlands have been lost. Today, California rice supplies roughly half of the state’s waterfowl food resources, making rice conservation a top priority for waterfowl conservation in the West. Ducks Unlimited’s partnership with CRC dates to the late 1990s and stands as one of the most successful workinglands conservation collaborations in the country. Through decades of leadership and proactive engagement, CRC has aligned agricultural viability with sciencebased, landscape-scale conservation that delivers measurable benefits for wildlife. In the face of climate change, water scarcity, and landuse pressures, CRC has continued to lead—most notably through the development of A Conservation Footprint for California Rice. This landmark, sciencedriven framework defines how much rice must remain on the landscape, where it matters most, and which practices provide the greatest ecological benefit. Through voluntary conservation easements, partnerships with Ducks Unlimited and UC Davis, and continual refinement of rice management practices, CRC has helped define California rice as an “environmental crop” and positioned rice country as one of the most essential working wetland systems in North America.

The CRC is proud to work alongside DU in conservation efforts in the Sacramento Valley and appreciates the recognition. To read more about the 2026 Wetland Conservation Achievement Awards click here.

For details on the Rice Footprint click here.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager Katie Cahill at kcahill@calrice.org.

The post CRC Awarded DU’s 2026 Wetland Conservation Achievement for Rice Footprint first appeared on California Rice News.

This update includes information about Spring Conservation Program Workshops and a reminder about two opportunities for conservation programs on fallow fields.

Conservation Program Workshops for Spring and Summer 2026

Hosted by the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership, come meet program representatives, learn about upcoming opportunities, and get your questions answered. This is a great chance to connect with key partners—including The Nature Conservancy, California Waterfowl Association, the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation and others—and discover conservation practices that offer compensation for your participation. RSVP here or email birds@tnc.org to save your spot.

Sacramento Valley — Thursday, March 19
1–3 PM
Sutter County Ag Commissioner’s Office
142 Garden Hwy 142 Garden Hwy A, Yuba City, CA 95991

Delta — Thursday, March 26
1–3 PM
Staten Island House
23319 N. Staten Island Rd, Thornton, CA 95686

Application Period OPEN for conservation programs on fallow fields.
Program 1 — Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program 

NBHIP – Fallow Agriculture Program

• This state program is administered by California Waterfowl Association (CWA). 
• The application period will be open until March 29, 2026, and must be filled out on the CWA Website. 
• This program provides an incentive for farmers who are willing to delay the termination of the vegetation in fallow agricultural fields until July 15th or later. Eligible fields must have vegetation on over 60% of the field with an average height of at least 8 inches by April 1st. 
• Acceptable nesting cover includes planted cover crops or volunteer vegetation. 
• The program is compatible with water transfers and prevented planting insurance.
• Payment rates are $30/acre for fields with suitable volunteer vegetation and $110/acre for fields with established planted cover crops.
• For questions, please contact Jason Coslovich at (408) 644-3525 or coslovich@calwaterfowl.org 

Program 2 – Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) 

RCPP – Nesting Cover practice

• This federal program is administered by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 
• The application period will be open until April 10, 2026, and to apply, you must visit your local NRCS office.
• This program provides an incentive for farmers who are willing to delay the termination of the vegetation in fallow agricultural fields until July 15th or later. Eligible fields must have vegetation on over 60% of the field with an average height of at least 8 inches by April 10th. 
• Acceptable nesting cover includes planted cover crops or volunteer vegetation. 
• The program is compatible with water transfers and prevented planting insurance.
• Payment rates vary but are approximately $30/acre
• For questions, please contact your local NRCS office AND Kristin Sesser at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org

The post Conservation Workshop Announcement and Open Program Reminder first appeared on California Rice News.

Rice growers have a commodity-specific regulation

The California Rice Commission is the Third-Party organization that represents commercial rice Growers for the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) Waste Discharge Requirements General Order for Sacramento Valley Rice Growers.

By extension, the Order also applies to landowners that lease, rent, or otherwise own land that is used by a producer of rice. The CRC and Growers each have specific compliance requirements under the Order. The CRC completes the water quality monitoring assessments and programs, conducts outreach and education, and submits fees, plans and reports to the Water Board. A copy of the WDR Order and a summary of Grower requirements are on the CalRiceNews.org website.

For your rice acreage, you do NOT need to enroll in ILRP coverage or claim exemption.

If you grow rice in the Sacramento Valley (counties of Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Glenn, Butte), you are automatically enrolled in the Commission and your per-acre ILRP fee is automatically collected by the CRC (via mill assessment) and paid to the Water Board by the CRC. Rice Growers pay about 20% lower fee ($1.20 for FY25-26) per acre than other ILRP coalitions. Individual enrollment outside of a coalition can be as high as $37 an acre.  

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org.

The post Rice and the Water Board’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program  first appeared on California Rice News.

A reminder that all rice in California must be planted using certified seed or seed that has gone through a quality assurance program. This requirement is in place to reduce the spread of weedy rice (red rice) through the planting of contaminated seed, one of the major vectors for the pest. CCIA certifies seed for owned varieties and provides quality assurance programs for off patent varieties. 

Growers must provide a bulk seed certificate or verification that meets contract requirements.

Please contact Tim Johnson with any questions tjohnson@calrice.org

The post Requirement to plant certified or QA seed first appeared on California Rice News.

This update includes information about two opportunities for conservation programs on fallow fields.

Application Period OPEN for conservation programs on fallow fields.

Program 1 — Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program 

NBHIP – Fallow Agriculture Program

• This state program is administered by California Waterfowl Association (CWA). 
• The application period will be open until March 29, 2026 and must be filled out on the CWA Website. 
• This program provides an incentive for farmers that are willing to delay the termination of the vegetation in fallow agricultural fields until July 15th or later. Eligible fields must have vegetation on over 60% of the field with an average height of at least 8 inches by April 1st. 
• Acceptable nesting cover includes planted cover crops or volunteer vegetation. 
• The program is compatible with water transfers and prevented planting insurance.
• Payment rates are $30/acre for fields with suitable volunteer vegetation and $110/acre for fields with established planted cover crops.
• For questions, please contact Jason Coslovich at (408) 644-3525 or coslovich@calwaterfowl.org 

Program 2 – Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) 

RCPP – Nesting Cover practice

• This federal program is administered by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 
• The application period will be open until April 10, 2026 and to apply you must visit your local NRCS office.
• This program provides an incentive for farmers that are willing to delay the termination of the vegetation in fallow agricultural fields until July 15th or later. Eligible fields must have vegetation on over 60% of the field with an average height of at least 8 inches by April 10th. 
• Acceptable nesting cover includes planted cover crops or volunteer vegetation. 
• The program is compatible with water transfers and prevented planting insurance.
• Payment rates vary but are approximately $30/acre
• For questions, please contact your local NRCS office AND Kristin Sesser at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org

The post Conservation Programs Update for Spring first appeared on California Rice News.

Years’ worth of data were collected in the 173-page report: “A Conservation Footprint for California Rice,” highlighting the minimum number of planted acres needed, locations, and management practices of ricelands to support multiple wildlife species in the Central Valley.

Now, hear from the UC Davis and Point Blue Conservation Science researchers behind the Rice Footprint Report, in a series of short videos highlighting the needs of different wildlife species.

Rice Footprint Report Videos:

• Hear from the Researchers  ( 6 minutes long )
• Salmon ( 4 minutes )
• Waterfowl ( 3 minutes )
• Shorebirds ( 3 minutes )
• Giant Gartersnakes ( 4 minutes )

To view and download a summary version or the full report, please click here. 

The post WATCH: CA Rice Footprint explained by report researchers first appeared on California Rice News.

The workshop will take place March 18–19, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, at Lundberg Family Farms, 5311 Midway, Richvale.

Hosted by the University of California Cooperative Extension in collaboration with the University of California, Davis and the California Rice Experiment Station, the workshop will provide research-based, practical information to support successful rice production in the region.

Topics include rice growth and development, land formation, varieties, planting and stand establishment, water and fertility management, weed control, insect and vertebrate pests, diseases, and pest identification. Presenters include UC and UCCE specialists and researchers Bruce Linquist, Whitney Brim-DeForest, Kassim Al-Khatib, Luis Espino, Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, Ian Grettenberger, and Sarah Marsh Janish.

The registration fee is $200, which includes a workshop manual and lunch both days. The registration deadline is March 15, 2026. Participants may register online at link.ucanr.edu/riceworkshop2026. Continuing education credits from DPR and CCA have been requested.

For more information, contact the University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter-Yuba Office at 530-822-7515.

Contact: 

UCCE Sutter–Yuba
142A Garden Highway
Yuba City, CA 95991
Phone: (530) 822-7515
Email: wbrimdeforest@ucanr.edu

The post 2026 Rice Production Workshop Scheduled in Richvale first appeared on California Rice News.

Propanil Stewardship & Alternative Watergrass Management Strategies

Thursday, February 26, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CIP Conference Room, 100 Sunrise Blvd.
Colusa, CA 95932

Meeting Topics 

• History of Propanil use in California– Luis Espino, UCCE Rice Advisor 
• Permit Conditions– Colusa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office 
• Propanil Herbicide Resistance Development – Sarah Marsh Janish, UCCE Rice Farm Advisor 
• Propanil Alternatives for Foliar Sprays– Whitney Brim-DeForest, UCCE Rice Advisor 
• Aerial Application Practical Experience – Kassim Al-Khatib UC Davis weed Science Professor 

**CE Credits: DPR, CCA**

More Information:

Phone: 530-822-7515
Email: sutteryuba@ucanr.edu

The post UC Cooperative Extension 2026 Propanil Stewardship Meeting first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Rice Commission has a Surface Water Quality Management Plan for Pyrethroids for rice acres that drain to the monitoring locations at upper Colusa Basin Drain (CBD5) and the Sacramento Slough near Karnak (SSB).  The upper Colusa Basin Drain (CBD5) sub-watershed is generally west of the Sacramento River and north of Highway 20. The Sacramento Slough (SSB) sub-watershed is generally east of the Sacramento River, west of the Feather River, and south of the Sutter Buttes.  

Part of the Management Plan’s Implementation Report (MPIR) requires growers within these two sub-watersheds to report on their pyrethroid use and management practices.  

If you received a letter or an email from the CRC requesting you provide the required information, you can go to the link here to complete CalRiceNews.org 

Alternatively, you can go to CalRiceNews.org and select the button “Pyrethroid Use Reporting”.  If you did not receive a letter or email from the CRC, you are likely not required to report.

The requested information in based on the 2025 rice fields associated with the county’s pesticide use permits.  The process will take only a few minutes to complete. Information submitted to the Water Board is in summary format only (no names, addresses or identifying information).  Please complete the information no later than February 27, 2026.

Failure to meet to the pyrethroid monitoring objectives (established by the Water Board) at CBD5 and SSB could result in further potential measures to gain compliance, such as expanded monitoring, NOIs before applications, increased inspections, limited acreage application, or in extreme cases expulsion of farms from the coalition that are in gross violation of label requirements and Rice Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) conditions.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org 

The post Pyrethroid Management Plan Implementation Report first appeared on California Rice News.

Required by DPR to complete for thiobencarb applications

The website for the online mandatory thiobencarb stewardship training is active and available through the CalRiceNews link here: CalRiceNews.org

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) lists thiobencarb as a restricted material and requires users of thiobencarb to complete stewardship training. This training is provided by the California Rice Commission in partnership with local County Agricultural Commissioner’s offices. The course will be available through the end of June.

The course is approximately one hour long. The certificate of completion is available for download after finishing the course and is required by the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office to add thiobencarb to your use permit. The course may be accessed via phone, tablet or desktop computer at the calricenews.wordifysites.com website.

We applied for and received approval for one hour of CE credit from DPR (0.5 Laws, 0.5 other). You will need to select this option and enter additional information for the CE credit.  

The course developer’s technical assistance email address is available at the end of the course if you need help or to report other technical issues.  

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org.

The post Mandatory Thiobencarb Stewardship Training is ACTIVE first appeared on California Rice News.

California rice growers are shaking their heads over the different payments in the two USDA/FSA revenue protection programs:  PLC (Price Loss Coverage) and ARC (Agricultural Risk Coverage).  

The 2024 payments have just been announced and range from $230/acre under ARC and $90/acre under PLC. The difference is the result of the time periods each program references to determine if payments are to be made and how much. ARC looks back five years and calculates the average yields and price, deleting the high and low of both, and then compares to the current price and yield to determine if revenue falls below the average. PLC looks only at the current year and compares the market price to the predetermined reference price to determine if the grower’s revenue is below that price.  

Rice prices and yields were average in 2018, 2019, 2020, very good in 2021, and fantastic in 2022. The 2022 year is discarded but the 2021 year still brings the average up, producing a high benchmark revenue, higher than 2024 average price and yield, so a significant payment was generated.

The rice price in 2024 ($18.70) is compared only to the reference price, or $19.90. The PLC price is based on the October 2024 to September 2025 reported payments to growers with adjustments from all marketing organizations. The difference in times the grower’s PLC yield generates a much smaller payment than ARC. 

Note: The same scenario applies to the 2025 crop, but fortunately, the OBBB provides that the grower will receive a payment based on whichever program generates the higher payment. 

Looking forward to 2026, the 2021 crop year high price still holds the average up for ARC, but this must be compared to the higher PLC reference price of $24.33 before the grower chooses to enroll in either program.

For more information, contact Tim Kelleher at tim@ricelawyers.net or (530) 751-9730.

The post 2024 ARC/PLC Payments Explained first appeared on California Rice News.

Currently, there is no deadline in place for ARC or PLC elections sign-ups. That deadline will likely be later this year or early 2027. We will share the deadline information when it becomes available.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager Katie Cahill at kcahill@calrice.org or (916) 612-8899.

The post Kelleher ARC/PLC Decision Tool first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Rice Commission successfully renewed its Waterbird-focused Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Waterbird RCPP) in 2025, and applications are now being accepted. 

There are two RCPP-specific application deadlines in 2026: 

January 23 and April 10 

Please visit your local NRCS office to apply. 

Important Notes 

• You may apply for any available practice at either RCPP-specific deadline.
• Most funding for this fiscal year is expected to be obligated through applications received by January 23. As a result, limited funding may remain for applications submitted by the April 10 deadline.
• Applications that are not funded will be retained for consideration in the following year.
• Existing applications: If you already have an open RCPP application with NRCS, you must contact your local NRCS office to confirm that you want it considered during this application period.

Available Practices (including, but not limited to)

• High Intensity Water Management – Winter flooding for 90 days with variable drawdown starting February 10
• Seasonal flooding with gradual drawdown – Shallow flooding for 3-4 weeks between July and September 
• Residue management with Boards-in – One disk pass followed by placing boards in water boxes from November to February
• Cover crops – Retaining cover (cover crop or volunteer veg) from winter into spring nesting season

To apply, please visit your local NRCS office. 

If you have questions, especially if you are considering cover crop retention for breeding birds, please contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org. 

Local NRCS offices

The post Waterbird RCPP Application Deadline Fast Approaching first appeared on California Rice News.

Memorial services for Congressman Doug LaMalfa have been announced. Details can be found below.

Memorial Service Details:
When: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Where: Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico
Parking Opens: 9:30 a.m.
Gates Open: 10:00 a.m.
Service begins at 12:00 p.m.

Tickets are required to enter. You can register here.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Oroville Rescue Mission – an organization near and dear to the LaMalfa Family.

The post Memorial Service Announced for Congressman Doug LaMalfa first appeared on California Rice News.

Application Deadlines for various NRCS programs are approaching. Please visit your local NRCS office to apply. 

There is one application deadline in 2026 for most major NRCS Conservation Programs including Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP): January 15 

There are two Waterbird RCPP-specific application deadlines in 2026: 

January 23 and April 10 

Important Notes 

• If you are interested in applying to multiple programs or funding opportunities (EQIP, CSP, RCPP, RPP), please visit your local NRCS office before January 15, 2026, and be sure to check the appropriate boxes on your application.
• Existing applications: If you already have an open application with NRCS (RCPP, EQIP, or CSP), you must contact your local NRCS office to confirm that you want it considered during these application periods.
• For the Waterbird RCPP, most funding for this fiscal year is expected to be obligated through applications received by January 23. As a result, limited funding may remain for applications submitted by the April 10 deadline.
• Applications that are not funded will be retained for consideration in the following year.

Available Practices (including, but not limited to)

• High Intensity Water Management – Winter flooding for 90 days with variable drawdown starting February 10
• Seasonal flooding with gradual drawdown – Shallow flooding for 3-4 weeks between July and September 
• Residue management with Boards-in – One disk pass followed by placing boards in water boxes from November to February
• Cover crops – A) Fall planting of Cover Crops, and B) Retaining cover (cover crop or volunteer veg) from winter into spring nesting season

To apply, please visit your local NRCS office. 

If you have questions, especially if you are considering cover crop retention for breeding birds, please contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org. 

Local NRCS offices

The post Reminder – Application Deadlines for NRCS Programs including Waterbird RCPP first appeared on California Rice News.

Meeting Details:  

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 

Morning Meeting – Williams  

Granzella’s — Banquet Hall (one block West of Granzella’s restaurant, parking lot located behind the old bank building) 
457 7^th St, Williams, CA 
8:00 a.m. Doors Open 
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Meeting 

Afternoon Meeting – Yuba City 

Hillcrest Catering — Plaza Room 
210 Julie Drive, Yuba City, CA 
12:30 p.m. Doors Open 
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Meeting 

*Information presented at both meetings will be the same 

Scheduled speakers include: 

Josh Sheppard • Chair, California Rice Commission 
Welcome and Introduction 

Tyson Redpath • The Russell Group 
A Year of the Trump Administration, and Looking Forward 

Louie Brown • Kahn, Soares & Conway 
What to Expect From an Outgoing Governor and the Next Governor 

Jerry Brown • Sites Authority 
Sites Project Update and Look Forward 

Jake Westlin • USA Rice 
A New Farm Bill 

Tim Johnson • CEO, California Rice Commission 
Overview of Conservation Dollars Back to Rice and Key CRC Programs 

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager, Katie Cahill, at kcahill@calrice.org. 

The post REMINDER: CRC Grower Meetings next Wednesday, 1/14/26 first appeared on California Rice News.

We are devastated to learn that Doug LaMalfa has passed at 65. 

Northern California could not have asked for someone who cared more about their community and farms than Doug during his seven terms in Congress and eight years of service in the California legislature. 

Doug was an early member of the Commission board, representing Butte County, as the organization met in its formative years to discuss grower representation, rice straw burning, water quality, and public outreach. He announced his run for the California Assembly at a CRC grower meeting in 2000.

He served in the California Assembly for six years before transitioning to the Senate. As vice chair of the Natural Resources and Water Committee, he was a champion of Northern California. 

Upon long-time Congressman Herger’s retirement, Doug ran for Congress, taking his passion for rural and resource issues to Washington. 

In his many years of public service, Doug will be remembered for his kindness and willingness to engage others to find common ground and solutions. 

The post Congressman Doug LaMalfa first appeared on California Rice News.

The 2025 California Rice Commission digital annual report is now available. 

Click here to view the 2025 CRC digital annual report

The report details work on the Rice Footprint Report and its objectives, along with ongoing efforts in key program areas, including crop protection, water quality, state and federal policy, trade, rice quality, grants, wildlife conservation programs, the salmon project, public education, and industry communications.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager, Katie Cahill, at kcahill@calrice.org or (916) 612-8899.

The post 2025 CRC Digital Annual Report Now Available first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation is currently soliciting applications for the Bid4Birds habitat program this spring. Applications are submitted through the Foundation website, and the enrollment period closes on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. 

Key Details:

• Incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding for shorebirds
  • Payment rates vary and are generated by the grower, based on the costs of providing the habitat. 
• Contracts: 4 to 11 week commitments
• Timeline: between February 16 and May 4, 2026
• Flooding: mudflat to a maximum of 4 inches throughout the contract period
• Field preparations required – minimal vegetation allowed
• Contracts are ranked on timing, habitat quality, and price (flooding later ranks higher)

To apply, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage. For questions, contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.  

The post Application Deadline Fast Approaching for Bid4Birds first appeared on California Rice News.

Details on the January 14 CRC Grower Meetings have been posted and information on the rice herbicide and other winter rice meetings has recently been added.

The CRC calendar will be continuously updated throughout the year to reflect the dates of CRC committee and board meetings once they are scheduled.

Please click here if you would like to submit an industry event for the 2026 CRC calendar.

View calendar here. 

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager, Katie Cahill, at kcahill@calrice.org.

The post 2025 CRC Calendar – Upcoming Grower Meetings & Other Events first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation is currently soliciting applications for the Bid4Birds habitat program this spring. Applications are submitted through the Foundation website and the application period closes on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. 

Key Details:

• Incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding for shorebirds
  • Payment rates vary and are generated by the grower in a bid, based on the costs of providing the habitat. 
• Contracts: 4 to 11 week commitments
• Timeline: between February 16 and May 4, 2026
• Flooding: mudflat to a maximum of 4 inches throughout the contract period
• Field preparations required – minimal vegetation allowed
• Contracts are ranked on timing, habitat quality, and price (flooding later ranks higher)

To apply, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage. For questions, contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.  

The post Reminder – Spring Bid4Birds Application Period Open first appeared on California Rice News.

Data reporting on pyrethroid use is required for certain growers.

The California Rice Commission has a Surface Water Quality Management Plan for Pyrethroids for rice acres that drain to the monitoring locations at Upper Colusa Basin Drain (CBD5) and the Sacramento Slough near Karnak (SSB).  Part of the Plan’s Implementation Report requires growers within these two sub-watersheds to report on their pyrethroid use and management practices.  

If you received a letter or an email from the CRC requesting you provide the required information, you can go to the link here to complete the reporting.

Alternatively, you can go to CalRiceNews.org and select the button “Pyrethroid Use Reporting.”

The requested information is based on the 2025 rice fields associated with the County’s pesticide use permits.  The process will take only a few minutes to complete. Information submitted to the Water Board is in summary format only (no names, addresses, or identifying information).  Please complete the information no later than February 27, 2026.

Failure to meet to the pyrethroid monitoring objectives (established by the Water Board) at CBD5 and SSB could result in further potential measures to gain compliance, such as expanded monitoring, NOIs before applications, increased inspections, limited acreage application, or in extreme cases expulsion of farms from the coalition that are in gross violation of label requirements and Rice Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) conditions.

For more information, contact the CRC’s Industry Affairs Manager Craig Riddle at criddle@calrice.org 

The post Pyrethroid Management Plan Implementation Report first appeared on California Rice News.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a national batching deadline of January 15, 2026, for most major NRCS Conservation Programs. 

Programs included:

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP)

Important Notes: 

• Waterbird Rice RCPP: The deadline for this program is (likely) January 19, 2026. There may be additional RCPP signups later in the year as needed. 
• Apply to multiple programs: Conservation practices are similar or the same across all programs. To be considered for multiple funding opportunities (EQIP, CSP, RCPP, RPP) please visit your local NRCS office before January 15, 2026, and check the appropriate boxes on your application.
• Existing applications: If you already have an open application with NRCS (RCPP, EQIP, or CSP), you must contact your local NRCS office to confirm that you want it considered in this batching period.

*RPP requirement: To be considered under the Regenerative Pilot Program, farms must also enroll in at least one of the following practices: Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Drainage Water Management, Irrigation Water Management, Nutrient Management, Pest Management Conservation System, or Residue and Tillage Management.

To apply, please call or visit your local NRCS office. If you have questions, please contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org. 

Local NRCS offices

The post USDA NRCS Batching Deadline – January 15 first appeared on California Rice News.

For more information, contact the CRC’s President & CEO, Tim Johnson, at tjohnson@calrice.org

The post Make Sure Acres Are Certified Ahead of USDA Program Deadline first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Bid4Birds Program. Applications are submitted through the Foundation website and the application window will be open until Wednesday, January 7, 2026. 

Key Details:

• Incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding for shorebirds
  • Payment rates vary and are generated by the grower in a bid, based on the costs of providing the habitat. 
• Contracts: 4 to 11 week commitments
• Timeline: between February 16 and May 4, 2026
• Flooding: mudflat to a maximum of 4 inches throughout contract period
• Field preparations required – minimal vegetation allowed
• Contracts are ranked on timing, habitat quality, and price (flooding later ranks higher)

If you have any questions about the program or would just like to learn more, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage or contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.  

The post Applications Now Open for Spring Bid4Birds first appeared on California Rice News.

The California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation (Foundation) is happy to announce the upcoming application period for the Spring Bid4Birds habitat program. 

The Bid4Birds Program focuses on extending the flooding period in rice fields for the benefit of waterbirds, particularly shorebirds. While the standard winter flooding period is beneficial for many migrating waterbirds on the Pacific Flyway, there are a variety of species that stay later or pass through the area after most rice fields and marshes are drying down. Providing flooded habitat during this time is especially critical.

In the spring, Bid4Birds provides incentive payments for growers to implement shallow flooding on their rice fields for 4 to 11 weeks between February 16 and May 4. The Foundation solicits participants through a reverse auction in which growers submit bids based on an assessment of their costs to provide this critical habitat. The Bid4Birds Habitat Selection Committee, including representatives from Audubon California, California Rice Commission, Point Blue Conservation Science, and The Nature Conservancy, will assess bids in a standardized way using data on when and where birds need the habitat most.

Bids can be submitted through the Foundation website from December 17, 2025, to January 7, 2026. 

If you have any questions about the program or would just like to learn more, please visit the Bid4Birds webpage or contact Kristin Sesser, Wildlife Programs Manager with the California Rice Commission at (916) 607-8988 or ksesser@calrice.org.  

The post Upcoming Program Opportunity for Spring Flooding through Bid4Birds first appeared on California Rice News.

Leo LeGrande, Chair of the USA Rice Conservation Committee and Williams rice grower, presented the award to Johnson. In his more than 30 years with the California Rice Commission, Johnson has united the voices of rice growers and marketers across the state and also led the industry in improving environmental stewardship on many fronts.

“Under Tim’s guidance, we became known as the Environmental Crop,” said LaGrande.

For decades, Johnson has focused on new and innovative ways that benefit the industry as a whole. From expanding winter flooding programs, to the salmon project and the CRC’s newest initiative: the California Rice Footprint which aims to protect the rice industry by setting a minimum of rice acreage needed to provide vital wildlife habitat.

“Tim’s vision has merged agriculture and environmental stewardship in a remarkable way,” LeGrande said.

The post CRC’s Tim Johnson Awarded Distinguished Conservation Achievement at USA Rice Outlook first appeared on California Rice News.

Join us for the CRC Annual Grower Meetings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Williams and Yuba City. Stay informed about the latest developments on key issues facing our industry, including the next farm bill, state and federal policy, the latest on the Sites project, and key CRC programs.

Meeting Details: 

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Morning Meeting – Williams 
Granzella’s — Banquet Hall
(one block West of Granzella’s restaurant, parking lot located behind the old bank building)
457 7^th St, Williams, CA
8:00 a.m. Doors Open
8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Meeting

Afternoon Meeting – Yuba City
Hillcrest Catering — Plaza Room
210 Julie Drive, Yuba City, CA
12:30 p.m. Doors Open
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Meeting

*Information presented at both meetings will be the same

Scheduled speakers include:

Josh Sheppard • Chair, California Rice Commission
Welcome and Introduction

Tyson Redpath • The Russell Group
A Year of the Trump Administration, and Looking Forward

Louie Brown • Kahn, Soares & Conway
What to Expect From an Outgoing Governor and the Next Governor

Jerry Brown • Sites Authority
Sites Project Update and Look Forward

Jake Westlin • USA Rice
A New Farm Bill

Tim Johnson • CEO, California Rice Commission
Overview of Conservation Dollars Back to Rice and Key CRC Programs

For more information, contact the CRC’s Communications Manager, Katie Cahill, at kcahill@calrice.org.

The post CRC Grower Meetings will be held on January 14 first appeared on California Rice News.

We want to thank the following partner organizations for their support of the rice footprint report written by UC Davis earlier this year. As the report clearly states, working ricelands provide critical habitat in a state that has lost more than 90% of its once-abundant wetlands. Rice, especially rice flooded in the winter, is essential to more than 200 species and is the backbone of the Pacific Flyway. 

We look forward to working with these partners, as we seek to intentionally implement the footprint objectives through innovative programs and supportive policies. 

• Ducks Unlimited
• CalTrout
• California Waterfowl Assoc.
• Audubon
• Point Blue
• Nature Conservancy
• NCWA
• RD 108
• Sutter Mutual Water District
• Garden Highway Mutual Water Company
• Sutter Bypass Butte Slough Water Users Assoc.
• Western Canal Water District
• Richvale Water District
• Cordua Irrigation District
• Sac River Settlement Contractors

For more information on the Rice Footprint, contact the CRC’s President & CEO, Tim Johnson, at tjohnson@calrice.org

The post Rice Footprint Secures Broad Partner Support first appeared on California Rice News.