EAGLE LAKE, TX – Earlier this week, USA Rice staff traveled here to meet with members and participate in the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group and Texas Rice Producers Board meetings on the front end of the annual Eagle Lake Field Day.
Staff visited recently opened Texas Rice Milling in Brookshire, managed by USA Rice Merchants’ Board member Pam West to discuss the state of the industry and tour the mill. Additionally, staff traveled to Stafford to tour the Satake rice milling company’s manufacturing and corporate facilities.
During the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group meeting, USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann and COO Sarah Moran provided legislative and promotion updates. Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of The Rice Foundation, provided updates on research efforts and announced the upcoming launch of the Rice Leadership Program application process.
The meeting also included updates from the organization’s Rice Stewardship Partnership on the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Program that has brought $4.3 million to Texas rice farmers for conservation-related practices. Members of the board honored the retirements of longtime Rice Stewardship Partnership staff Kirby Brown and Dennis Neuman who have been instrumental in managing Regional Conservation Partnership Program and AMP grants for on-farm conservation contracts across Texas rice farms.
During the annual Texas Rice Producers Board meeting, staff gave an overview of USA Rice financial accountability protocols, advocacy efforts, totaling more than $100 million for Texas rice farmers since 2020, and domestic and international promotion efforts to help facilitate sales of milled and paddy rice for Texas farmers. In addition, updates were provided on the Colombia Tariff Rate Quota funds and annual assessment disbursements to the Texas Rice Research Foundation, among other topics.
Brian Center, Texas rice farmer, Texas Rice Producers Board member, and USA Rice Farmers Board member, shared that, “We are grateful that USA Rice was able to be part of the annual meetings to share critical updates from Washington on economic assistance, tariff advocacy, U.S jasmine rice promotions, and international promotion efforts that have expanded this year thanks to the $5 million they were recently allocated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the America First Trade Promotion Program.”
He continued: “While the rice economy is in an obviously difficult place, we are confident that USA Rice’s efforts will ultimately result in long-term benefits for the U.S. rice industry that will support Texas rice farmers. We hope to see a recovery of acreage next year after seeing the lowest acreage planted in Texas in decades.”
Following the board meetings, Texas A&M and the research extension team at the David R Winterman Rice Research Station held their 52nd Annual Rice Field Day. Rice farmers and industry representatives first toured the research plots then traded the warm Texas countryside for the comfort of the Eagle Lake Community Center to reconvene for dinner and presentations.
Before the speakers took the floor before a packed house, BU Growers and the Texas Rice Research Foundation were recognized for their long-standing support of Texas A&M AgriLife.
Next, Dr. Natalie Stewart, agricultural economist and self-described “less doomier and gloomier than her boss, Dr. Joe Outlaw,” covered the current rice economy and farm policy issues, detailing current economic conditions facing rice and other commodities with a deeper dive into changes to policy and programs outlined by the OBBBA, including base acres, crop insurance, and ag related tax provisions. Stewart also covered details on the Farm Bridge Assistance and the Farm Bill 2.0 hurdles ahead in the coming months.
Entomologist Dr. David Kerns spoke about the challenges the rice industry is facing from the Rice Delphacid. This region became ground zero last year, as the invasive planthopper insect caused severe widespread damage to the rice crop. The good news so far is populations appear to be lower than expected following last season’s impact, but growers need to remain vigilant in scouting and monitoring their rice crop. This year growers also have emergency exemptions on two insecticides that are available for treating the Delphacid, but there are still a lot of questions remaining about the insect and its behavior in our environment and its ability to cause damage in a short amount of time once infestation occurs.
“We had a great turnout!” said Sam Rustom, Texas A&M Extension rice agronomist. “Many thanks to everyone who came out to support our Research and Extension programs, and big thanks to our sponsors, staff, and volunteers who helped make it happen.”