• Two men wearing business suits hold framed photo of combines in a rice field; blue curtain background with U.S. flag USDA Trade Champion Bob Spitzer Honored with 2020 USA Rice Industry Award

    Feb 26, 2020

    In a Government Affairs Conference meeting yesterday between rice industry leaders and government trade officials, USA Rice honored Bob Spitzer, career civil servant now at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), with the 2020 USA Rice Industry Award. Full story
  • A woman and two men wearing business suits stand talking in front of hotel desk Ag Negotiator Highlights 2020 Game Plan on Trade

    Feb 25, 2020

    Chief U.S. ag negotiator Ambassador Gregg Doud kicked off the 2020 Government Affairs Conference yesterday afternoon with remarks that energized the more than 100 rice industry representatives here from across the country ready to fan out for meetings with Members of Congress and agency offices. Full story
  • Group shot of people wearing fluorescent vests and hard hats at Arbuckle Reservoir TX Rice Leadership Development Graduates Makes the Connection

    Feb 24, 2020

    The Rice Leadership Development Program’s Class of 2018/20 graduated from the prestigious program during a special ceremony at the USA Rice 2020 Government Affairs Conference today. Full story
  • Microscopic view of coronavirus, blue/green sphere with red tentacles Coronavirus (Covid-19) Disrupts USA Rice Promotion Programs in China

    Feb 21, 2020

    The next scheduled promotional event in China is the SIAL trade show on May 13-15, and so far the organizers have not announced any plans to postpone, cancel, or take other actions that would affect staging of the show. To date, this coronavirus outbreak has not affected USA Rice promotion programs in other countries in Asia. Full story
  • Woman gives slide presentation to crowd of people seated around tables USA Rice Meets with Growers in Louisiana and Mississippi

    Feb 20, 2020

    Between harvest and planting season is another season in rice country – Meeting Season. There is no shortage of meetings being scheduled during this time in an attempt to catch rice farmers before they begin working on a new crop, and this winter has been no exception. Full story
  • Man stands at podium addressing people seated in a Capitol Hill meeting room with big windows, gilt sconces & chandaliers Farmers for a Sustainable Future

    Feb 19, 2020

    Today, USA Rice joined with 21 trade groups representing millions of farmers and ranchers on Capitol Hill to launch Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF), a coalition committed to environmental and economic sustainability. Full story
  • Two men in business suits shake hands while another businessman looks on, US and Iraq flags flank them Discussions with Iraqi Grain Board Smooth the Way for U.S. Rice Trade

    Feb 18, 2020

    Over the weekend, USA Rice and U.S. Wheat Associates hosted a seminar for officials from the Grain Board of Iraq to discuss sampling procedures and tender processes. This seminar was proposed as a follow-up to an Iraqi reverse trade mission to Louisiana, Kansas, and Washington, DC, last fall. Full story
  • USA-Rice-Booth-at-Gulfood-Show, group of men stand at table examining rice samples in small blue bowls USA Rice Goes Big at Annual Gulfood Show

    Feb 18, 2020

    The annual Gulfood show, the world's largest food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition, is going on this week, and traders and foodservice professionals from all over the world, but especially from the Middle East and Africa, are there. Several USA Rice members are participating in the trade show. Full story
  • Thought bubble on blue background with text: Consistency is Key USA Rice Helps Resolve Issues with Costa Rican Testing Protocols

    Feb 14, 2020

    In recent years there have been several shipments held up at port in Costa Rica due to consistency issues with chemical residue testing on rough rice. USA Rice began working with USDA and USTR last fall to help address the inconsistencies with their government counterparts in Costa Rica to alleviate the problem. Full story
  • American Society of Agronomy logo Sustainability Webinar Series Continues Next Tuesday

    Feb 13, 2020

    A webinar series focused on the impressive sustainability record of the U.S. rice industry continues next Tuesday, February 18, at 12:00 noon EST. The third in the four-part series, the new webinar is titled, “Seeking Net Neutral: Energy Efficiency in the U.S. Rice Industry.” Full story
  • MS-AR Check-Off Logo-200213 Arkansas State Report Upbeat Despite 2019 Challenges

    Feb 13, 2020

    At this year’s annual meeting of the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board (ARRPB), USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward reflected on the challenges the U.S. rice industry faced in 2019, and reported on the important role USA Rice plays in Washington fighting for sound policies, and advocating for U.S.-grown rice in markets here and around the world. Full story
  • Hound dog with white chest and droopy brown ears in front of flags of US and US Dept of Homeland Security Funding for Ag Inspections at U.S. Borders in Budget Pipeline

    Feb 12, 2020

    The “Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019,” also known as the Ag Inspectors Bill, passed the House with bipartisan support by voice vote on Monday. This bill aims to improve agricultural inspections at American borders by authorizing new funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire additional agriculture specialists. Full story
  • Man and woman in grocery store look at large bags of rice stacked in the aisle Senators Encourage Increased Access for U.S. Rice in U.K. Trade Negotiations

    Feb 12, 2020

    On Monday, a group of United States Senators from rice-producing states sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer encouraging increased market access for rice during trade negotiations with the United Kingdom. Full story
  • Woman and man seated at speakers Annual Meetings in Louisiana Bring Rain and USA Rice Representatives

    Feb 11, 2020

    Rice industry members gathered in Jennings yesterday for the annual meetings of the Louisiana Rice Council (LARC) and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LARGA), and to hear how rice check-off dollars are being spent, updates from Baton Rouge, and about the Start with Rice advertising campaign. Full story
  • WASDE Report Released

    Feb 11, 2020

    This month’s outlook for 2019/20 U.S. rice is for increased imports, higher exports, and larger ending stocks. All rice imports are raised 2.4 million cwt to a record 32.5 million on an extremely fast pace so far in the market year. Full story
  • Young woman stands at podium delivering slide presentation to crowded room of people seated at tables NELA Rice Forum Focuses on Row Rice

    Feb 10, 2020

    With winter providing a backdrop of scattered showers around the southern rice region, it was a perfect time for area growers to take a break from field work last week and attend the Northeast Louisiana (NELA) Rice Growers Association meeting to get the latest rice info in preparation for the 2020 planting season. Full story
  • FY2021 Budget on conveyor belt President’s FY 2021 Budget Proposal

    Feb 10, 2020

    Earlier today, President Donald Trump sent his budget request for FY 2021 to Congress, calling for nearly $58 billion in cuts to mandatory agriculture spending, on top of another $2 billion in cuts to discretionary agriculture spending. Full story
  • Map of east Africa with Kenya delineated in orange Kenya Next in Line for Trade Negotiations with U.S.

    Feb 07, 2020

    he Trump Administration has a new trade target in its sights for 2020 – Kenya. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced yesterday their intention to negotiate a free trade agreement with this country that represents a growing economy within Africa, and wants to set the tone for other east African nations interested in expanding their global footprint. Full story
  • Airline food displayed in small white containers on tray including white rice, colorful fruit and vegetable salads, bread roll, and napkin New Canadian Contractor Brings New Promotion Opportunities

    Feb 06, 2020

    Today USA Rice met with Harbinger, a cutting edge marketing firm here with a global reach and a client list that includes Dove, Dole, and Taste USA. As the new contractor for Canada promotions, Harbinger is getting familiar with the USA Rice Canada portfolio in meetings with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Canada and members of the trade. Full story
  • Man wearing dark vest stands at podium in front of crowd giving slide presentation USA Rice Emphasizes Sustainability Practices at Annual Cotton and Rice Conference

    Feb 05, 2020

    Producers and industry representatives from across the mid-south gathered here last week for the 23rd Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference. The day and a half-long conference featured discussions on the latest in conservation practices. Full story

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