Mar 21, 2017
BUNKIE, LA – In the midst of rice planting, growers from four parishes in central Louisiana took time to come together Monday night to receive reports on efforts to address issues that impact their industry. Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of marketing, communications and domestic promotion, addressed the major changes happening in Washington and what they will mean for rice. He noted that there are still many appointments to be made by the President and confirmed by the Senate, including Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue who many believe will be good for rice. Klein mentioned agriculture’s and especially rice’s efforts to remind the Trump Administration of the importance of trade to ag and that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is actually a success story for rice, so any adjustments to the deal need to preserve what works for the U.S. industry.
Klein also reported on the USA Rice Domestic Promotion team’s current activities to raise awareness and increase usage of U.S.-grown rice with a focus on foodservice. He further highlighted USA Rice’s work to keep members informed about industry issues and the USA Rice Council’s use of state promotion funds through the organization’s daily e-newsletter, the USA Rice Daily, and the hard copy tabloid, the USA Rice Whole Grain, which is published three times a year.
Dr. Carrie Castille, USA Rice contractor, briefed CenLa members on the outlook for the upcoming Louisiana legislative session and possible issues that could impact agriculture. She brought attendees up to speed on ongoing efforts of Governor John Bel Edwards and Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain to secure additional disaster relief for the spring and summer floods that caused damage from Shreveport to Baton Rouge to Lake Charles. Castille said, “We will be monitoring in-state legislative activities daily and working hard to make sure our decision makers understand your concerns and the overall importance of the rice industry to the state.”
Also addressing the group was DU Rice Stewardship Coordinator Kyle Soileau who reported on the recently approved USA Rice Mid-South Graduated Water Stewardship Program, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awarded through its USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership. Soileau encouraged growers to apply for available cost-sharing conservation payments, noting that signup for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) portion would begin this fall and for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) portion in 2018.