ST. LOUIS, MO, HARRISBURG, AR, and STUTTGART, AR — Last week, five Central American retailers and importers traveled through Missouri and Arkansas for a week-long USA Rice trade mission designed to showcase the people, places, research, technology, and innovation behind U.S.-grown rice.
The mission kicked off with a visit to the headquarters of Nestlé Purina, a key user of U.S. rice in their pet food brands, before the group received an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Anheuser-Busch, the largest user of U.S.-grown rice. Participants learned how rice plays a role in brewing before getting an up-close look at the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales and sampling fresh-made beer straight from the vat.
From St. Louis, the group traveled south to Missouri rice country, visiting Inland Cape Rice near Scott City, Martin Rice Company near Bernie, as well as Thomas and Wheeler Farms in Butler County. Participants were able to see harvest firsthand, watching Missouri Rice Research & Merchandising Council Chairman Rance Daniels on the first day cutting his rice crop.
The experience provided a perspective that cannot be replicated in a conference room.
“The best way to understand the quality and reliability of U.S. rice is to see the industry in action — to meet the farmers, visit the mills, see the research, and watch the crop move from the field toward its final destination,” said USA Rice Senior Director International Promotions, Western Hemisphere Asiha Grigsby, who led the trip. “These missions create connections that last well beyond the trip and help our international customers understand the commitment behind every bushel of U.S. rice.”
No Missouri rice tour would be complete without a stop at the iconic Elk Chute Lodge in Gobler, MO where the participants dined with members of the Missouri Rice Council and continued conversations about the state's rice industry, markets, and the importance of building relationships with international customers.
The Missouri portion of the mission concluded with a visit to the Missouri Rice Research Farm. Research farm manager Mike Johnson and farm staff Austin Stoner explained how research conducted at the station helps address the challenges facing rice farmers and supports the broader network of businesses and partners that make up the industry.
The group continued south into Arkansas where the focus remained on demonstrating the depth and diversity of the U.S. rice industry.
At Windmill Rice, the company's majority owner, David Smith, highlighted the mill's unique identity-preserved capabilities, giving the group insight into how specialized handling and milling can meet the needs of customers seeking particular varieties and qualities of rice.
The tour then moved to the Osceola Port and Poinsett Rice and Grain, where participants watched barges being loaded with long grain milled rice destined for export markets. The group also met with local farmers and viewed Arkansas crop rotations featuring rice and soybeans, gaining a better understanding of the agronomic decisions that shape production throughout the growing season.
The group stopped in Trumann to visit Arkansas rice farmer David Gairhan before heading to Harrisburg to the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. There, Director Dr. Tim Burcham gave participants an in-depth look at the impact of research investments supported by checkoff dollars and how that research translates into practical benefits for Arkansas rice farmers and the industry as a whole.
The trip progressed to Stuttgart, where they met with executives at Riceland Foods, before visiting Producers Rice Mill, and received a presentation from Producers' President and CEO, Keith Glover. Discussions focused on the scale and capabilities of the U.S. rice industry and the infrastructure that allows American rice to consistently serve customers in markets around the world.
Moving west, a visit to Isbell Farms in Lonoke County offered another unique perspective, showing participants how rice can be transformed into value-added products such as sake.
The mission concluded at Dow Brantley’s farm, where participants had perhaps their most hands-on experience of the week. They took turns riding in combines and experiencing their first U.S. rice harvest from the cab.
For the Central American visitors, the week was about far more than touring farms and facilities. It was an opportunity to meet the farmers who grow U.S. rice, the researchers who work to improve it, the millers who prepare it for market, and the companies and infrastructure that move it to customers around the world.
For USA Rice, the mission was an opportunity to strengthen relationships with important trading partners while demonstrating the consistency, innovation, transparency, and commitment that define the U.S. rice industry.