• Randy Jemison receives service award while audience takes photos Three Rice States in Three Days – Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana

    Feb 22, 2018

    As the 2018 planting season approaches, rice state meetings are in full swing and USA Rice is on the road listening to growers and sharing planned activities and success stories. The jam-packed schedule included stops on Monday at the Arkansas Rice Council and Arkansas Rice Farmers annual meeting, Tuesday at the Mississippi Rice Council annual meeting and Mississippi Rice Research and Promotion Board meeting, and yesterday at the Central Louisiana Rice Growers meeting and the Louisiana Rice Council and Rice Growers Association annual joint meeting. Full story
  • USA pavilion at international trade show, lots of red, white & blue banners and flags with people milling around information booths about US products Study Shows U.S. Outspent and Falling Behind on Ag Export Promotion

    Feb 21, 2018

    A study by Informa Economics, IEG on the competitiveness of U.S. export development programs in relation to other countries shows the European Union and others spent close to $1 billion on agricultural export promotion in 2016, outspending the United States 4 to 1. Competitor spending increased 70 percent since 2011, while U.S. export promotion declined by about 12 percent over the same period. Full story
  • CEO Betsy Ward standing next to AR Gov-Asa Hutchinson Arkansas Rice Farmers Get Annual Industry Report

    Feb 20, 2018

    The Arkansas Rice Council and Arkansas Rice Farmers held their annual meeting and trade show yesterday here at the First National Bank Arena. During the program, USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward spoke about USA Rice efforts on behalf of the industry, keynote speaker Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke about his support and plans for Arkansas agriculture, and a panel discussed agricultural crop burning. Full story
  • GA.w-Mtg-with-Rep-Colin-Peterson-180213 USA Rice Team Effort Has Impact on Capitol Hill

    Feb 16, 2018

    This week, 100 members of USA Rice representing all six rice-producing states gathered in the nation’s capital to meet with legislators and administration officials for the annual Government Affairs Conference (GAC). For two days, USA Rice members met with Congressional leaders to discuss the Farm Bill and other priorities for the rice industry, breaking with tradition by including visits to members of Congress outside of rice-producing areas. Full story
  • People using chopsticks to eat sushi at a restaurant Scholarship Winner Visits USA Rice

    Feb 15, 2018

    The National Rice Month (NRM) Scholarship Video Contest she found online was definitely a departure for this student growing up in the San Diego suburbs who knew nothing about agriculture. But with a little groundwork and a lot of creativity, Little-Saña produced an award-winning video for last year’s first ever NRM scholarship video contest. Full story
  • 2016-18-Leadership-Class-group shot Rice Leadership Development Class Graduates

    Feb 13, 2018

    The Rice Leadership Development Program’s Class of 2016-18 graduated from the prestigious program during a special ceremony at the USA Rice Federation’s 2018 Government Affairs Conference yesterday. Full story
  • MK in yellow shirt stands at podium holding white piece of paper, NELA meeting 2018 USA Rice Talks Crop Insurance for Organic Rice Farmers, Trade, Conservation, and More at Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum

    Feb 12, 2018

    Rayville rice producer and Vice President of the NELA Rice Growers Association Scott Franklin kicked off the Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum here last week by thanking the crowd for coming out to hear research reports from LSU AgCenter personnel and an industry update from USA Rice’s Michael Klein, vice president of communications and domestic promotion. Full story
  • Marvin Lehrer & USDA Undersecretary McKinney, dressed in suits, stand side-by-side USA Rice and Undersecretary McKinney Discuss Trade in Mexico

    Feb 09, 2018

    As part of a visit to discuss trade with his counterparts in Mexico, U.S. Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney held a roundtable discussion with several U.S. trade associations based here, including USA Rice. The meeting was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Agricultural Affairs and the Agricultural Trade Office in Mexico. Full story
  • Ben-Affleck as the-Accountant, writing numbers on a glass window Domestic Usage Report: Specialty Rice Shipments Up 35 Percent

    Feb 09, 2018

    USA Rice released the annual U.S. Rice Domestic Usage Report today, tracking shipments and consumption of U.S. milled rice from August 2015 to July 2016. According to the report, U.S. rice mills shipped 112.1 million cwt of rice to domestic and foreign markets, an increase of 6 percent from one year earlier. Full story
  • Official portrait of Rep John Faso (R-NY) New Bill Focuses Attention on Organic Food

    Feb 08, 2018

    Representative John Faso (R-NY) has introduced a bill that addresses fraudulent organic agricultural imports and proposes to increase funding to the National Organic Program (NOP) for oversight and technology upgrades. USA Rice has continually raised the issue of fraudulent organic rice imports with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they are harmful to domestic organic rice producers. Full story
  • USDA Logo WASDE Report Released

    Feb 08, 2018

    The U.S. 2017/18 rice supply and demand estimates are unchanged this month. The projected season-average farm price for all rice is lowered 10 cents at the midpoint of the range. The reduction is primarily attributed to lower-than-expected long-grain prices reported by NASS. Full story
  • Plate full of bite-sized snacks made with cucumber, rice & red pepper cut in shape of Canadian maple leaf Getting Social in Canada

    Feb 07, 2018

    Social Media is an ever-present and emerging force in communication worldwide. The shift from traditional media to consumer-driven social media outlets is changing the landscape of how to effectively engage with target populations. This phenomenon in Canada is a vital element of promoting U.S. rice there. Full story
  • Certified Louisiana Logo Louisiana Making a Mark in the Marketplace

    Feb 06, 2018

    Last week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain announced a renewed marketing initiative designed to promote Louisiana agriculture products. The “Certified Louisiana” program features updated logos and product marks for use on products made, grown, manufactured, processed, produced, or substantially transformed in the state. Full story
  • Heart-shaped rice on red background USA Rice Kicks Off Influencer Campaign in Honor of Heart Health Month

    Feb 05, 2018

    February marks the start of heart health month and USA Rice has partnered with 12 social media influencers to promote the heart health benefits of U.S.-grown rice. The variety of influencers range from active lifestyle to healthy living and foodies. Full story
  • NRCS CSP 5 step sign-up directions on top of photo of red barn Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Available in All Six Rice States

    Feb 05, 2018

    Rice producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for a special Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) led by the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, the Sustaining the Future of Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Full story
  • USTR Ag Nominee Gregory Doud, white male wearing blue suit and purple tie testifying before Congress Holds Cleared for Senate Vote on Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR

    Feb 02, 2018

    Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) lifted his hold yesterday on the nomination of Gregory Doud, the Trump administration’s pick for chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, after receiving assurances that his concerns over a proposal involving U.S. import protections on seasonal produce in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would be addressed. Full story
  • Cartoon image of Trump carrying US flag while other hands sign a trade deal TPP Moves On Without the U.S.; Rice Negatively Impacted

    Feb 02, 2018

    Eleven countries will sign a new version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Chile next month, after successful negotiations concluded here last week. The new deal, known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CP-TPP or TPP-11), will not include the United States. Full story
  • Twitter-Cancer Prevention Month Logo-180201 USA Rice Participates in Cancer Prevention Month

    Feb 01, 2018

    February 1 marks the start of Cancer Prevention Month and in that spirit USA Rice has partnered with the American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) to support their month-long awareness campaign and share the message of prevention. Full story
  • USDA & FDA sign agreement to bolster coordination, two men seated at table signing document with others standing behind them Enhanced Coordination Between USDA and FDA Could Improve Food Safety, Efficient Oversight

    Jan 31, 2018

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have entered into a formal agreement to make food oversight more efficient and effective, according to an announcement by the two agencies yesterday. The agreement aims to increase interagency collaboration, streamline inspection responsibilities, eliminate inefficiencies, and improve regulatory clarity and transparency in agriculture and food-processing industries. Full story
  • COMM-USA Rice Wants GM Rice from China to Stay There-180130 USA Rice Wants GM Rice from China to Stay There

    Jan 30, 2018

    Last week, Chinese news agencies excitedly reported on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting approval to an experimental genetically modified rice strain, Huahui-1. USA Rice does not share their excitement and does not want the GM rice to enter the United States. Full story

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