Rice requires an aquatic environment to grow and as an aquatic grass acts as a natural buffer strip leaving water cleaner when it exits a field than when it enters the field. We support regulations for safe water quality based on sound science that consider all contributing sources of pollution with the implementation of voluntary best management practices in situations where standards are exceeded. 

To conserve a resource crucial to the production of rice, the industry has worked to support the development and voluntary adoption of efficient irrigation techniques.

We support research and development programs and activities by USDA and the land grant university system to develop improved production and management practices to increase the resource use efficiency of rice production and the voluntary adoption of these practices by growers.

Recent News

  • John Owen CME Seeks Rice Industry Response to Rough Rice Futures Contract Survey

    Feb 11, 2016

    The CME Group based here that oversees the trading of the Rough Rice Futures contract has published a short, two-question survey for rice industry members to complete by Monday, February 22. Full story
  • ga-killer-bees-on-tumblr-160201 EPA Update: What’s Best for Pests

    Feb 01, 2016

    Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their 2014 review of pesticide residue levels on produce, grain, salmon, and infant formula, and found that 99 percent of the samples had residue levels below the EPA limit. A total of 314 rice samples were taken and none contained residues over the legally established tolerance limit. View the full report here. Full story
  • cuban-cars-for-2016-ppt Financing for Cuba Trade OK’d, Ag Left Out

    Jan 28, 2016

    This week, the Obama administration announced a new Treasury rule that authorizes additional U.S. exports to Cuba and permits the private financing of these exports in an effort to strengthen trade relations not controlled by the Cuban government. In a joint announcement with the Secretary of the Treasury, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the changes are designed to “strengthen civil society” in Cuba. Full story