CANCÚN, MEXICO – Earlier this month, USA Rice collaborated with the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Wheat Associates, and event host, the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), to produce the Americas Agricultural Cooperators Conference here. The two-day conference featured speakers from throughout the soybean industry as well as participants from cooperator organizations such as U.S. Wheat and USA Rice.
Presentations included updates on the Latin American commodity markets, insights on risk management, conversations on sustainability, and updates on grain storage technologies, among other topics. Several networking events provided opportunities to interact with industry representatives from throughout the Americas, including one of Mexico’s largest rice importers.
“It is always good to have an opportunity to interact with leaders from other commodities and gain insights into what is going on in their sector of the agricultural industry and how that relates to what we are doing at USA Rice,” said Josh Hankins, USA Rice director of grower relations, who attended the event.
USA Rice was represented on the speaking agenda by Mark Isbell, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee, who talked about “Trends in Innovation in the U.S. Rice Industry,” and shared updates on both the sustainability and market trends of U.S. rice. Following the presentation, Isbell participated in a panel Q&A.
“U.S. rice has a great story to share with other commodities, and I am grateful to USSEC for providing us with an opportunity to participate in their program,” said Isbell. “There is also a lot we can learn from other commodities. It was inspiring to see the innovative spirit of their industry as they work, as do we, to advance U.S. agricultural exports throughout the world.”