• USA Rice Briefs Press on Trade Distorting Practices

    Apr 08, 2015

    According to a new study, several key advanced developing countries have ramped up subsidies to their producers of rice, corn, and wheat, dramatically changing the global trading environment as a result. Full story
  • USA Rice Uses Government Programs to Amplify Message, Expand Export Markets

    Apr 07, 2015

    Today the Federal Register announced that the Commodity Credit Corporation is inviting proposals for the FY2016 Market Access (MAP), Foreign Market Development (FMD), and Emerging Market Programs. These cost-share programs help expand commercial export markets for American products and typically contribute a significant portion of the USA Rice Federation's international promotion budget. Full story
  • USA Rice Unveils the Fresh Look of Think Rice

    Apr 03, 2015

    This week, USA Rice took the first step in launching its new consumer marketing campaign, Think Rice, by updating its social media handles and profile icons on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Think Rice is the new face of domestic promotion programs and USA Rice consumer marketing initiatives. Full story
  • U.S. Rice Takes Center Stage in ShopRite's Gluten-Free Newsletter

    Apr 02, 2015

    For March National Nutrition Month, USA Rice partnered with the registered dietitians at ShopRite to tell shoppers about the gluten-free and nutritional benefits of U.S.-grown rice. ShopRite, a chain of more than 250 stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, distributes its monthly Gluten-Free newsletter to more than 30,000 shoppers, and U.S.-grown rice took center stage in the March edition. Full story
  • Innovative Car Manufacturer Rumored to be Introducing Rice-Powered Car

    Apr 01, 2015

    Stocks of electric car maker Tesla were sent surging last week, driving up the company's market capitalization by four percent, when reclusive billionaire CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the company would unveil a new product at the end of April. Wild speculation about the new invention ensued, and USA Rice Daily has uncovered tweets from a Special Projects Manager, Ryce Husk, that hint at the investing being a rice-powered car capable of travelling up to 50 miles per half cup serving. Full story
  • Overall 2015 Rice Acreage Anticipated to Decrease Slightly

    Apr 01, 2015

    Area planted for rice in 2015 is expected to total 2.92 million acres, 24,000 less than 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service's Prospective Plantings report released yesterday. Planted acreage is forecast lower for Arkansas and California, higher for Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri, and essentially the same as last year for Texas. Mississippi rice farmers may realize the largest percentage increase in planted acres this year, up 10 percent from 2014. Full story
  • Rice Leadership Class Finishes Session One: The Gulf Coast

    Mar 31, 2015

    NEW ORLEANS, LA -- After visiting rice facilities in Texas earlier this week, the 2015/17 Rice Leadership Class concluded the first session of the two-year program last Friday in Louisiana. Full story
  • SA Rice Wants to Hear from 2014 Outlook Attendees as 2015 Planning Gets Underway

    Mar 26, 2015

    ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation is seeking feedback from participants in the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference on their experience at this year's trade show. Members who attended can go here to complete the online survey. Full story
  • House Agriculture Subcommittee Addresses Actively Engaged, Crop Insurance

    Mar 26, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- The House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management met today to discuss current issues in farm bill implementation. The hearing was well-timed, on the heels of the USA Rice Federation supplying information to the committee about rice priorities and concerns. Full story
  • USA Rice Participates in COOL Hearing

    Mar 25, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- This morning, the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing on meat labeling requirements, in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) rule took center stage. The World Trade Organization (WTO) will soon issue a ruling on whether the current version of the COOL regulation is consistent with WTO rules. Full story
  • One Week to Go on Farm Bill Deadlines, Vilsack Not Considering Extension, May Ultimately Be Needed

    Mar 25, 2015

    ARLINGTON, VA -- The various March 31st deadlines for Farm Bill decisions may not be extended again according to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, but that may leave some growers out in the cold. Full story
  • Grain Industry Provides Comments on 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Report

    Mar 24, 2015

    BETHESDA, MD -- Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a public meeting to receive oral comments on the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which was released last month. The nutritional value of grain foods and important grains terminology were emphasized in a testimony delivered on behalf of the grain industry by Professor Glenn Gaesser, PhD, of Arizona State University. Full story
  • USDA Proposes It Takes 500 Hours to be "Actively Engaged"

    Mar 24, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers. The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. Full story
  • 2015/17 Rice Leadership Class Gets Underway in Texas

    Mar 23, 2015

    HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Members of the 2015/17 Rice Leadership Development Class are attending their first program session this week with visits to rice-producing areas of the Gulf Coast. Session activities include examination of rice production, milling, marketing, and other aspects of the U.S. rice industry. Full story
  • USA Rice Teams with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute at Foodex in Japan

    Mar 20, 2015

    MAKUHARI MESSE, JAPAN -- Earlier this month, USA Rice and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute joined forces to promote products at the American Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) booth at Foodex Japan 2015. This is Japan's largest food show with almost 3,000 exhibitors and an estimated 80,000 visitors this year. Full story
  • Arkansas Governor Calls for End to U.S. Cuba Embargo

    Mar 19, 2015

    LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Yesterday, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signed House Joint Resolution 1006, calling on the U.S. government to lift its trade embargo on Cuba and open the market to American rice and other commodities. Full story
  • Louisiana Couple Honored on National Ag Day

    Mar 18, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Today is 2015 National Ag Day and it's a safe bet that Christian and Julie Richard, rice farmers from Kaplan, Louisiana, will always remember how they celebrated. The Richards won the National Outstanding Young Farmer (NOYF) award last year and a trip to the nation's capital was part of the award. They have spent the past few days attending various events scheduled around Ag Day, including a visit with their Congressman, Representative Charles Boustany, a meeting with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, a luncheon with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, and a Celebration of Agriculture Dinner where they were the honored guests. Full story
  • Conservation Stewardship Program Renewal Deadline March 31

    Mar 17, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Eligible agricultural producers and forest landowners who wish to renew expiring Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts must have their renewals completed by Tuesday, March 31, 2015. The renewal process is optional but benefits CSP participants with expiring contracts because it is non-competitive. Full story
  • Crop Insurance Briefings Shed Light on Complex Programs

    Mar 17, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Anticipating attacks from the far left and far right, the Senate and House Agriculture Committees last week hosted Crop Insurance 101 briefings where producer and crop insurance industry representatives were on hand to educate staff on the history, issues, and complexities of the programs. USA Rice Federation joined a broad coalition of commodity groups that helped promote the briefings that were widely attended by Congressional staff. Full story
  • USA Rice Talking Trade Again in Havana

    Mar 16, 2015

    HAVANA, CUBA -- USA Rice's Marvin Lehrer was here last week for meetings with the Cuban food buying agency, ALIMPORT, and the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Lehrer also visited several hard currency supermarkets, ration card stores, and public markets to see how rice is currently being sold in Cuba. Full story

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