UADA rice farmer survey targets crop insurance participation
March 16, 2026
Fast Facts
- Rice farmer survey seeks info about rice crop insurance programs, willingness to pay
- The 15-minute online survey is anonymous
- Results could help motivate potential improvements to crop insurance programs
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Download file photo of Ryan Loy
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas rice farmers are being asked about their participation in crop insurance programs by a researcher who expects their input could help shape future crop insurance programs.
“Arkansas is the nation’s top rice-growing state, and we value the opinions and decisions of our rice growers where crop insurance is concerned,” said Ryan Loy, assistant professor and extension agricultural economics specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
“We want to understand the types of insurance and coverage that a rice farmer in the Arkansas Delta adopts and why,” Loy said. “Those perceptions and attitudes are critical to us as agricultural economists and to policymakers.
The survey is open to Arkansas farmers aged 18 and older for whom rice is a principal crop. Completing the survey should take about 15 minutes, and no identifying information will be collected.
“The questions only pertain to acreage and crop insurance on your farm, with one question being your willingness to pay for a product,” Loy said. “This study’s results will be completely anonymous.”
Loy is asking that farmers complete the survey by July 31.
“Our hope is that these results can help motivate potential improvements in the federal crop insurance program,” Loy said. “Farmers should take part to help us tell the story and help improve farm safety nets.”
Farmers with questions about the study can contact Loy at rloy@uark.edu.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
Nkordsme@uada.edu