• Latest Iraq Rice Tender All Goes to Thailand

    Jan 30, 2015

    The USA Rice Federation has learned that despite mounting pressure from the United States, the latest Iraqi rice tender, 80,000 metric tons, has been completely awarded to Thailand. Full story
  • Deadline Approaches for Farm Bill Sign Ups

    Jan 29, 2015

    The 2014 Farm Bill program sign up is well underway across the country, and with deadlines fast approaching, the USA Rice Federation wants to remind producers and landowners of the timeline they face. Full story
  • Jimmy Hoppe Selected for 2015 LA Agriculture Hall of Distinction

    Jan 29, 2015

    Louisiana Farm Bureau Agri-News Network announced the 2015 inductees to the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction today, including Jimmy Hoppe, a rice farmer from Iowa, Louisiana. The Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction honors those who have made extraordinary contributions to the state's agriculture community and Jimmy Hoppe definitely fits the bill. Full story
  • Ag Interests Frustrated by West Coast Port Slowdowns

    Jan 28, 2015

    he USA Rice Federation, along with more than 90 groups representing food, agriculture, and trade, released an open letter expressing "deep disappointment" that unresolved contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union are causing shipping slowdowns at West Coast ports. The letter asks that the two parties "resolve their differences as quickly as possible" and also urges "the federal government to consider all available remedies to bring this dispute to a rapid end." Full story
  • Missouri's Smith Questions USTR Froman on Rice Trade

    Jan 28, 2015

    Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), for whom rice is an important issue, took the opportunity to ask a pointed rice question of U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, who was testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday on expanding export markets for American-made goods and services, trade agreements currently under negotiation, and Trade Promotion Authority. Full story
  • USA Rice Inspires Young Minds to 'Think Rice'

    Jan 27, 2015

    This week, teachers at more than 2,800 elementary schools in rice producing counties across the six states will receive the new Think Rice educational lesson plan. Developed with the award-winning curriculum experts at Young Minds Inspired (YMI), this education kit is all about U.S.-grown rice and meets national standards for 3rd - 6th grade students in social studies, science, and nutrition. Full story
  • California Rice Commission, Rice Farmers Hold Annual Grower Meetings

    Jan 26, 2015

    More than 200 growers attended the California Rice Commission's (CRC) annual grower meetings last week. USA Rice Federation Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely attended the meetings and met with growers and industry representatives from around the region to discuss California specific initiatives and issues. Full story
  • USA Rice Provides Updates for Texas Producers

    Jan 23, 2015

    Texas A&M AgriLife Extension hosted the annual Western Rice Belt Production Conference here on Wednesday. The USA Rice Federation is a sponsor of the conference and this year USA Rice staff Amy Doane, Director, Membership & Marketing, and Evan Spencer, Manager, Economic and Policy Analysis, attended informational sessions and spoke to producers about current issues affecting the U.S. rice industry. Full story
  • USA Rice Promotes Cochran Bipartisan Letter on Iraqis Rice Purchases

    Jan 23, 2015

    This week, the USA Rice Federation encouraged Members of Congress to sign on to a letter written by Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran to Secretary of State John Kerry asking him to help America's rice farmers improve existing trade relations with the Iraqi Grain Board (IGB). Full story
  • Rice Leadership Class Graduates Next Month

    Jan 22, 2015

    The 2013-2015 Rice Leadership Development Class will hold the fourth and final session of their two year program next month in Washington D.C. The Session will be held at the same time as the USA Rice Federation Government Affairs Conference and will allow the class members to observe the leadership of the U.S. rice industry conducting their business meetings, as well as participating in lobbing efforts on the Hill. Full story
  • Getting to Know the 114th Congress

    Jan 21, 2015

    The 114th Congress was sworn in earlier this month with 64 brand new Members, and significant changes on committees, including Republican chairmen in the Senate and new chairmen on many House Committees. The task at hand now is to educate the new Members and their staff about the U.S. rice industry and the industry's priorities. Full story
  • LSU Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell Receives Award

    Jan 20, 2015

    Dr. Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, received the Rice Researcher of the Year award last week at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference here. Harrell's agronomy research focuses on fertility, and he also has identified the significance of zinc deficiency, shown that seeding rates for drill-seeded rice can be reduced, and demonstrated how nitrogen use efficiency can be improved. Full story
  • Cuba: First Steps Toward Market Access

    Jan 16, 2015

    Following President Obama's announcement last month that the U.S. would begin to re-engage in trade, travel, and diplomatic relations with Cuba, U.S. policy changes that alter previous travel and trade regulations were announced by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) yesterday and published today in the Federal Register. These changes go into effect immediately. Full story
  • Changes to Cuba Policy Effective Immediately

    Jan 15, 2015

    The promise of more open trade, travel, and business between Cuba and the United States got that much closer today when the Obama Administration announced new regulations on export policy that take effect tomorrow. The regulatory amendments are part of a process of normalization of relations between the two countries. Full story
  • USA Rice and Big Y: Live Well, Eat Smart

    Jan 15, 2015

    The USA Rice Federation is participating in the Living Well Eating Smart (LWES) program at Big Y, a supermarket chain of more than 60 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Beginning today through March 25, shoppers will be introduced to the many uses and nutritional benefits of U.S.-grown rice through a print and online newsletter, social media, and in-store signage and displays. Full story
  • Major Grant Awarded to Rice Industry, DU for Habitat Conservation Efforts

    Jan 14, 2015

    Today Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced approved grants from the first round of proposals to the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The USA Rice Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), and more than 40 collaborating partners are pleased that the "Rice Stewardship Partnership - Sustaining the Future of Rice" project was selected for support. Full story
  • California Rice Commission Secures State-Specific RCPP Funding

    Jan 14, 2015

    In a separate conservation proposal, the California Rice Commission (CRC) received an RCPP grant of $7 million. This program will support many of the same practices offered by the highly successful Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program and efforts to develop a viable nesting cover crop system for idled ricelands. Full story
  • Louisiana Rice Receives RCPP Funding

    Jan 14, 2015

    The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced four new conservation projects today, two of which will directly benefit the state's rice producers. Full story
  • DP.w-RDs-Nutrition-Forecast-Bodes-Well-for-Rice,-FNCE-tower-SMALL-150113 Registered Dietitians' Nutrition Forecast Bodes Well for U.S. Rice

    Jan 13, 2015

    A survey of more than 500 registered dietitians (RD) reveals the food trends that will dictate consumer choices in 2015, many of which are good news for rice. The "What's Trending in Nutrition" survey, conducted by Pollock Communications and Today's Dietitian, show top trends include: a continuing interest in gluten-free eating; a desire for non-GMO, locally sourced, eco-friendly foods; and an increased awareness of "clean eating" diets. Full story
  • USA Rice Welcomes New Government Affairs/PAC Manager

    Jan 12, 2015

    Our New Year's resolution was to reinforce the Government Affairs staff and the USA Rice Federation is pleased to fulfill that goal with the hiring of Julie Vieburg as the new Manager of Government Affairs/PAC. Full story

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