• NRCS Extends Deadline for CSP Sign-Ups

    Feb 25, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a renewal option through Tuesday, March 31, 2015 for eligible growers with expiring Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts. These producers must be willing to adopt additional conservation activities aimed at helping them achieve higher levels of conservation on their farms, forests and ranches. Full story
  • Secretary Vilsack Talks Ag Trade and Conservation at USA Rice Conference

    Feb 25, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack took to the stage at USA Rice Federation's Government Affairs Conference yesterday to praise and congratulate the whole ag sector for five consecutive years of growth, and the rice industry in particular for their commitment to conservation. Full story
  • Farm Bill Sign-Up Deadline is Friday

    Feb 25, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Farm Bill base acreage and yield update deadlines are still due this Friday although the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has made assurances that just being in the official registry will preclude any penalties. Full story
  • 2015 Dietary Guidelines Stresses Sustainability and Shift to Plant-Based Diet, Rice Well-Positioned

    Feb 23, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) released the Advisory Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) for public comment and rice remains well-positioned thanks to the industry's sustainability record and the committee's grains recommendation. Full story
  • Western Port Slowdown Appears to Be Over

    Feb 23, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Media are reporting that an agreement has been reached between dockworkers and employers to bring an end to the work slowdown that has reduced trade in and out of 29 western ports to a slow drip. Full story
  • Vilsack, Moran, Conaway and Other VIPs Headline USA Rice's Government Affairs Conference

    Feb 20, 2015

    ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation Government Affairs Conference starts Monday, February 23, in Washington, DC with an impressive list of important and powerful ag speakers, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Full story
  • Revenue Protection Not Offered in 2015 Rice Crop Insurance Policies

    Feb 18, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier this month, the Risk Management Agency announced that revenue protection (RP) will not be offered with any rice crop insurance policies for the 2015 crop year due to "an insufficient number of full active trading days, as stipulated in the Commodity Exchange Price Provisions." Rice policies with RP or RP-HPE (harvest price exclusion) will be available in future crop years pending a sufficient number of full active trading days. Yield protection (YP) policies will remain available for the 2015 crop. Full story
  • Yet Another Deadline Looms: Sign-Up for Conservation Stewardship Partnership by February 27

    Feb 18, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) one month sign-up window is quickly closing, adding to the list of sign-ups for farmers this February. The deadline for CSP is February 27, leaving less than two weeks to submit applications for the program. Full story
  • Farm Bill Sign-Ups, Domestic Promotion, and Trade Featured at Mississippi Rice Council

    Feb 17, 2015

    STONEVILLE, MS -- The USA Rice Federation gave an overview of key priorities for the organization at the Mississippi Rice Council meeting on Friday. Full story
  • In Memory: Lee Adams

    Feb 17, 2015

    The U.S. rice industry is deeply saddened by the passing of Lee Adams, 74, of College Station, Texas, on Friday, February 13. Lee Adams was one of the industry's most stalwart and respected leaders. Full story
  • USA Rice Staff Urge Louisiana Growers on Farm Bill Sign-Ups, Provide Issue Briefings

    Feb 13, 2015

    ALEXANDRIA and DELHI, LOUISIANA -- USA Rice staff continued their travel through the Pelican State this week to brief growers at the Central Louisiana Rice Growers Association membership meeting and the Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers Association rice forum. Full story
  • USA Rice Participates in World's Largest Annual Food & Hospitality Show

    Feb 10, 2015

    DUBAI, UAE -- This year marks the 20th edition of Gulfood and USA Rice Federation is on the show floor to meet with companies conducting business in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. Gulfood attracts importers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and government officials from around the world, making this show a central place for USA Rice to tout the quality of U.S.-grown rice and network with potential traders on behalf of the industry. Full story
  • Authentic American Rice Logo Debuts in Mexico

    Feb 09, 2015

    MEXICO CITY, MEXICO -- The USA Rice Federation officially unveiled the first ever American rice origin seal for an overseas market at a trade and press breakfast event here last Thursday. The purpose of the logo is to allow the Mexican consumer to easily identify the high quality, consistency, and safety of American-origin rice, heretofore difficult for the public. Full story
  • USA Rice Attends Cuba Interest Meeting with Arkansas Legislators

    Feb 06, 2015

    LITTLE ROCK, AR -- USA Rice Federation President & CEO Betsy Ward attended a joint meeting of the Arkansas House and Senate Agriculture Committees here yesterday to discuss the potential impact the Cuban market will have on Arkansas agriculture. Full story
  • USA Rice Makes Annual Report to Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board

    Feb 06, 2015

    LITTLE ROCK, AR -- USA Rice Federation President & CEO Betsy Ward, together with Vice President of Communications, Marketing, & Domestic Promotion Michael Klein presented the annual USA Rice Council report to the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board (ARRPB) here yesterday. Full story
  • USA Rice Welcomes New Members

    Feb 05, 2015

    ARLINGTON, VA -- The USA Rice Federation is proud to announce two new members. The USA Rice Millers' Association welcomes Thiele Technologies, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, as an Associate Member. "The addition of Thiele Technologies adds value to the USA Rice Millers' Association," said RMA Chairman Chris Crutchfield. "We look forward to their involvement in and contribution to the industry." Full story
  • USA Rice Joins 70 Agricultural Groups Urging Passage of TPA

    Feb 05, 2015

    WASHINGTON, DC -- In a letter to all members of Congress today, the USA Rice Federation and dozens of other agriculture groups made the case for congressional approval of trade promotion authority or TPA. TPA defines trade objectives and priorities for trade negotiations as well as puts consultation and notification requirements on the administration. Full story
  • LA Rice Meetings: Get the Latest on Cuba, Iraq, China, Mexico, and Much More

    Feb 05, 2015

    JENNINGS, LA -- Louisiana rice industry stakeholders will receive the latest information on opportunities and challenges in major markets at one of three meetings scheduled next week. Full story
  • 2014 Farm Bill Decision Aid Demos in Arkansas This Week

    Feb 02, 2015

    LITTLE ROCK -- Farmers are racing to beat the clock and learn as much as they can about the 2014 Farm Bill in order to make critical decisions to meet upcoming deadlines. Full story
  • USA Rice Promotes New Retail Brand in Japan

    Jan 30, 2015

    Last fall, the Nishimoto Trading Company introduced its own brand of U.S. medium grain rice to the Japanese market. Called "Sunshine," the brand is available both online and at Nishimoto stores and also at the Kaldi Coffee Farm grocery store chain. Full story

Sign-Up for the Daily