• GA.w-Trump-Budget,-fighters Trump Budget Declares War on Agriculture

    May 23, 2017

    President Trump released his detailed, $4.1 trillion federal budget today, and while every area of the federal government except defense and infrastructure saw cuts, the cuts to agriculture and rural areas are disproportionately severe by anyone’s standards. Full story
  • Exports to UK at Ten Year All-Time High

    May 22, 2017

    The UK, the largest market for U.S. rice in the EU, has experienced an impressive 207 percent increase in all types of U.S. rice imports during the first 3 months of 2017 (over 10,000 MT valued at $5.4 million). This has been driven by a staggering 5,877 percent increase in parboiled long grain rice imports and a 515 percent increase in long grain imports. Full story
  • Disaster Aid Available through FSA Program

    May 19, 2017

    New guidance from USDA's RMA on Practical to Replant Provisions available. Full story
  • USDA RMA Promotes Practical to Replant Guidance Document

    May 19, 2017

    New guidance from USDA's RMA on Practical to Replant Provisions available. Full story
  • Global Rice Markets are Distorted by Bad Actors, Contributing to U.S. Trade Deficits USA Rice Testifies at Commerce Department

    May 18, 2017

    The Department of Commerce hosted a day-long hearing with witnesses from across the U.S. economy to examine reasons for bilateral deficits with 13 U.S. trading partners. USA Rice, participating in the agriculture panel, explained that while the U.S. rice industry generates a $1.2 billion trade surplus, “a majority of the countries being examined, including China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Viet Nam intervene heavily in the rice market, and the result is restricted access for U.S. rice or unfair competition in foreign markets.” Full story
  • Rice Industry to Remain Vigilant as Trump Administration Makes NAFTA Renegotiation Official

    May 18, 2017

    The Trump Administration today formally notified the U.S. Congress of its intent to enter into negotiations with Mexico and Canada to “modernize” the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. A letter from freshly-installed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to Congressional leadership begins a mandated 90-day consultation with Congress before formal negotiations can begin. Additionally, U.S. law requires the President to provide detailed negotiating objectives 30 days prior to the start of negotiations. Full story
  • U.S Rice Production Estimates Drastically Reduced

    May 17, 2017

    USA Rice’s World Market Price Subcommittee met here yesterday to review with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials USDA’s first projections of global rice supply and demand statistics for 2017/2018, including world rice stocks, area and production estimates for the United States, and to review developments in key export markets. Severe flooding in the mid-south, in particular in Arkansas, the top rice producing state in the country, have forced the industry to drastically reduce estimates for the coming year. Full story
  • GA.w-Secretary-Perdue-Talks-Trade,-Farm-Bill-and-More-with-USA-Rice-170516 Secretary Perdue Talks Trade, Farm Bill, and More with USA Rice

    May 16, 2017

    Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with a delegation from USA Rice today in a wide-ranging discussion of industry priorities including trade, flooding in the mid-south, the upcoming Farm Bill, labor shortages in California, food aid, and the importance of rice research programs. Full story
  • USA Rice Promotes Medium Grain to Supermarket Chains in Japan

    May 15, 2017

    Co-Operative Grocer Chain (CGC) Japan, a cooperative chain of 220 middle to small size supermarkets with more than 4,000 individual member stores nationwide, sponsored an exhibition last month to introduce their members to new food products and U.S. medium grain rice was one of the featured rice items. Full story
  • GA-USDA Reorganization Matches Up with Rice Priorities--170512 USDA Reorganization Matches Up with Rice Priorities

    May 12, 2017

    Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has announced a reorganization of his agency that shows a clear emphasis on trade, and a philosophical shift on policy priorities at the farm level, both of which are in line with USA Rice initiatives. Full story
  • ITP-Trump Trade Team Locked and Loaded with Lighthizer-170512 Trump Trade Team Locked and Loaded with Lighthizer

    May 12, 2017

    President Trump’s trade team was rounded out yesterday when the man at the top, Robert Lighthizer, was finally confirmed by the Senate to become the U.S. Trade Representative. Full story
  • GA.w-Dr.-Scott-Gottlieb-Named-Head-of-FDA-170511 Trump’s FDA Commissioner Could Have Far-Reaching Impact on Rice

    May 11, 2017

    President Trump’s choice to head the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, was confirmed by the Senate this week and moves in to head the agency where he served as a deputy FDA Commissioner under President George W. Bush. The regulatory agency touches the rice industry at several points and if Gottlieb takes the agency in a new direction, there could be significant impact for the industry. Full story
  • USDA Logo WASDE Report Released

    May 10, 2017

    U.S. 2017/18 all rice production is forecast at 201 million cwt, down 23.1 million from the previous year, all on a large reduction in long grain acreage as indicated by the NASS Prospective Plantings survey issued March 31. The forecast 2017/18 yields are based on long-term historical trends and are higher for long grain but slightly lower for combined medium- and short-grain. Total 2017/18 rice supplies are forecast to decrease 7 percent from the previous year to 273.1 million cwt, primarily on the reduction in long grain. Full story
  • USA Rice Kicks-off Instagram Campaign for Celiac Awareness Month

    May 10, 2017

    With the explosion of visual storytelling on social media, Instagram is taking the lead as a favorite photo- and video-sharing social network among U.S. consumers. During May, Celiac Awareness Month, USA Rice is teaming up with 14 Instagram influencers to raise awareness of U.S.-grown rice as the go-to grain for gluten-free diets. Full story
  • Food Aid Funding Fight in Future

    May 09, 2017

    The recently passed Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill included $2 billion for food aid programs that the U.S. rice industry supports, but signals from the Trump Administration indicate American humanitarian efforts may not exist in the future. Full story
  • Secretary of Ag Sonny-Perdue-standing in front of rescue helicopter during press conference about 2017 AR flood Ag Secretary Perdue Gets First-Hand Look at Arkansas Flood Damage

    May 08, 2017

    Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, including Senator John Boozman and Congressmen French Hill, Steve Womack, and Rick Crawford toured the devastation around northeast Arkansas from the air yesterday. Full story
  • Cover of the Whole Grain Ad Kit with open newpapers in a rice field USA Rice’s Whole Grain Announces 2017 Advertising Specials

    May 05, 2017

    USA Rice’s award-winning newspaper, Whole Grain, has just released special advertising rates for the remaining 2017 issues. Advertisers who purchase a half page or larger ad for the Summer Issue, will receive 50 percent off to place the ad in the Fall Issue. Full story
  • Photo of a flooded LA rice field taken from inside a pickup truck Louisiana Weather Update

    May 05, 2017

    Wet weather is the theme in the midsouth this week and Louisiana is no exception. The northern part of the state dodged the bullet this time, but a lot of rice, and other crops - soybeans and crawfish - have been impacted in central and south Louisiana. The hardest hit areas seem to be in Avoyelles, Evangeline, and St. Landry parishes. However, the excess water there will move south so it is too early to determine what the extent of damage will be in any given area. Full story
  • DP.w-Changes-to-School-Lunch-Program,-Sonny-Perdue-170504 Changes to School Lunch Program Present Opportunity for Rice

    May 04, 2017

    This week, new Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue signed a proclamation to give America’s schools more flexibility to make food choices that are both healthful and appealing to students. The rice industry, already a major player in school lunch nutrition programs, can benefit thanks to high nutritional and taste standards. Full story
  • US-Weather-Map showing massive rain storms covering entire east coast west of the Appalachian Mountains Missouri Weather Update

    May 04, 2017

    Missouri rice country has not been spared by the storm system ravaging the mid-south. In the past week, this area of the state has received between 6 and 10 inches of rainfall on top of already saturated soil conditions. Floodways and ditches are at capacity or over, and a fair amount of water coming south from the Ozarks has also helped overwhelm the lake and tributary capacities. Full story

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