The USA Rice Merchants' Association hosted a meeting for seed industry representatives in conjunction with the USA Rice Outlook Conference in December. Mutual interest was expressed in the formation of a Seed Subcommittee within the Merchants' organization. The board of directors approved the establishment of this new subcommittee, which will be chaired by Merchants' Vice Chairman Dick Ottis.

"Merchant membership is defined in our bylaws as a proprietor, partnership or corporation actively engaged in the storage, purchase, sale and/or hedging of rough and/or seed rice and which takes title to the rice," said Merchants' Chairman Brian King. "We invite eligible companies to apply for Merchant membership. All Merchant members with seed interests are welcome to serve on the new Seed Subcommittee."

USA Rice Federation Chairman Jamie Warshaw commended the Merchants on forming the Seed Subcommittee. "This will provide an important forum for interaction and discussion," Warshaw said.

A USA Rice Merchants' Association membership packet and application are available online.