USA Rice Daily

White man wearing business suit & red tie stands at podium next to poster with US and Cuba flags

Harris Retires from Riceland Foods After 45 Years of Service

Feb 01, 2021

Terry Harris, senior vice president of operations at Riceland Foods, retired last Friday from the farmer-owned cooperative where he spent his entire career. Full story

Biden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions for Temporary Farm Workers Just in Time

Jan 29, 2021

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State granted a national interest exemption for H-2A and some H-2B workers from South Africa that would have impacted a significant number of ag workers who normally travel to rice-producing states in the Mid-South. Full story

New Administration Could Mean New Hope for Rice Market in Cuba

Jan 28, 2021

While the Biden Administration has indicated it intends to engage with Cuba, the extent to which they are willing and able to do so remains unknown. Full story

Group of people wearing business attire sit around large conference room table

Long Awaited Iraq Tender Arrives

Jan 27, 2021

Iraq’s Ministry of Trade has announced a global tender for 30,000 MT of rice that is outside of the US-Iraq Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and can be filled by any country. Companies have one week to submit bid documents to the Ministry. Full story

Trade-show-booth, group of men examine rice products displayed on table

U.S. Rice Promotions in Asia on The Rice Stuff Podcast

Jan 26, 2021

They say a great salesman could sell sawdust to a lumber mill, but what about selling U.S. rice to Asia? Just as challenging by any measure, and the latest episode of The Rice Stuff podcast dives into the subject. Full story

Photos of Biden Administration ag leaders

New Biden Administration Among Key Issues at California Rice Commission Grower Meeting

Jan 25, 2021

This year’s CRC Annual Grower Meeting provided update on key subjects impacting the rice industry, from trade prospects and the water outlook to the fast-moving political landscape at the state and national levels. Full story

Two hands creating map being made with colorful grains

USA Rice Participates in International Grains Council Meetings

Jan 25, 2021

Last week, more than two dozen international delegations and supporting organizations, including USA Rice, met virtually as part of the 52nd Council Session of the International Grains Council (IGC). Full story

USA Rice Presents at 2021 Western Rice Belt Production Conference

Jan 22, 2021

The Western Rice Belt Production Conference, hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, held its annual meeting this week via virtual platform. Full story

Annual NELA Growers Meeting Highlights Row Rice

Jan 21, 2021

The Northeast Louisiana Row Rice meeting held in Oak Grove on Tuesday was a hybrid get-together, with area growers and extension staff meeting both in-person and virtually. Full story

Field of waving American flags framing US Capitol dome

Biden Says National Unity Needed for Challenges Ahead

Jan 20, 2021

“This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge,” President Biden said. “And unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail.” Full story

Louisiana’s 3rd District Hosts New Congressional Staff

Jan 19, 2021

Last week, Rep. Clay Higgins’s new staff agricultural liaison, Turner Bridgforth, toured Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District visiting rice farms, mills, and the Port of Lake Charles. Full story

U.S. Rice Industry Strengthens Partnerships with Global Food Aid Programs

Jan 15, 2021

2020 was a banner year for rice in international food assistance programs, and the biggest success story was fortified rice with total purchases of approximately 44,000 MT. Full story

USA Rice Meets with Katherine Tai, Biden Nominee for USTR

Jan 14, 2021

Yesterday, USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward met virtually with Katherine Tai, President-elect Joe Biden’s designate to serve as U.S. Trade Representative to discuss the challenges rice faces in global trade. Full story

Korea promotion shows two people, both wearing masks, the man is holding papers and the woman is pushing a grocery cart filled with bags of rice

USDA Report Projects Reduction in 2020/21 Rice Exports, Leveling with Prior Year

Jan 13, 2021

While projected export levels for U.S. rice in 2020/21 are even with that of the 2019/20 marketing year, they fall far short of where they could be. Full story

The Art & Science of Rice Breeding and More Award Winners on The Rice Stuff Podcast

Jan 12, 2021

Catch up on the latest episodes of The Rice Stuff podcast: Episode 13 goes behind the scenes to look at how rice breeders bring new varieties to farmers without the use of GMOs, and Episode 12 features Sustainability Award winner Dr. Michele Reba and winner of the NRM Video Scholarship, Texas high school senior Molly Ellis. Full story

WASDE Report Released

Jan 12, 2021

The outlook for 2020/21 U.S. rice this month is for larger supplies, higher domestic use, decreased exports, and lower ending stocks. Full story

Student chefs wearing white chef jackets and toques gather around pots on stove

Cooking For a Cause in Haiti

Jan 11, 2021

A new made-for-TV cooking competition in Haiti called “Kompetisyion Diri” (Rice Competition), is being produced by USA Rice in collaboration with the World Central Kitchen and hosted by Sister M., a well-known local TV personality and musician. Full story

2021 Grower Meetings: Mark Your Calendar

Jan 08, 2021

This year most meetings are either all virtual or a hybrid of virtual and in-person. Check the registration information and plan accordingly. Full story

Campaign signs for Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff stacked against a brick wall

Senate Balance Tilts Democratic Following Georgia Runoff Elections

Jan 08, 2021

Georgia was the deciding factor for make-up of the Senate’s dynamics and party split, leaving Democrats and Republicans each with 50 seats. Upon her swearing-in on January 20, Vice President Kamala Harris will hold the tie-breaking vote. Full story

USA Rice Joins Ag Leaders for Meeting with New EPA Administrator

Jan 07, 2021

The Ag CEO Council, including USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward, recently met, with Michael Regan, President-elect Joe Biden’s designate for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator. Full story

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