Top Banner
Daily rice News by Riceplus Magazine 26 & 27 th June,2014 [email protected] Unedited Version USA Rice at Mexico's Exphotel Trade Show to Increase Demand The gang's all here at the USA Rice booth. CANCUN, MEXICO -- The 18th annual Exphotel trade show, the premier event for the hospitality industry in Mexico, was held here this month. USA Rice was one of 380 international exhibitors at the show that attracted an average of 5,500 attendees daily. Attendees are leading decision makers in the hotel and foodservice sector from the Riviera Maya (Mexican Caribbean region) that include owners, directors, general managers, and purchasers from hotels, resorts, restaurants, culinary institutions, and cruise lines. The Riviera Maya is an important market for the tourism industry with over 9.4 million visitors annually. According to the Department of Economic Development for the state of Quintana Roo, the region has 910 hotels with 86,588 rooms - increases of almost two and six percent respectively since 2011. USA Rice exhibited in a double booth, prominently located in a high-traffic corner. USA Rice chefs conducted rice-cooking classes several times a day throughout the three-day event. The booth was popular among trade show attendees, who actively participated in the activities and learned more about U.S.-grown rice, proper cooking techniques, and innovative ways to include rice in their menus. USA Rice staff also promoted our Mexico website, social media sites, and distributed foodservice brochures to more than 5,000 visitors.
23

26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Jul 22, 2016

Download

Documents

Mujahid Ali

Daily rice news
Un-Edited Version
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Daily rice News by Riceplus Magazine

26 & 27th June,2014

[email protected]

Unedited VersionUSA Rice at Mexico's Exphotel Trade Show to Increase Demand

The gang's all hereat the USA Rice booth.

CANCUN, MEXICO -- The 18th annual Exphotel trade show, the premier event for the hospitality industry in Mexico, was held here this month.  USA Rice was one of 380 international exhibitors at the show that attracted an average of 5,500 attendees daily. Attendees are leading decision makers in the hotel and foodservice sector from the Riviera Maya (Mexican Caribbean region) that include owners, directors, general managers, and purchasers from hotels, resorts, restaurants, culinary institutions, and cruise lines.

The Riviera Maya is an important market for the tourism industry with over 9.4 million visitors annually.  According to the Department of Economic Development for the state of Quintana Roo, the region has 910 hotels with 86,588 rooms - increases of almost two and six percent respectively since 2011.

USA Rice exhibited in a double booth, prominently located in a high-traffic corner.  USA Rice chefs conducted rice-cooking classes several times a day throughout the three-day event.  The booth was popular among trade show attendees, who actively participated in the activities and learned more about U.S.-grown rice, proper cooking techniques, and innovative ways to include rice in their menus.

USA Rice staff also promoted our Mexico website, social media sites, and distributed foodservice brochures to more than 5,000 visitors.

"Currently, rice is not heavily utilized in Mexico's foodservice sector," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president of international promotion.  "We're working to turn this around, and with our participation in Exphotel we're encouraging restaurant owners and professional chefs to include more rice on their menus.  We're showing them that rice offers wholesome food for their guests, and can increase their bottom line.  USA Rice also works with several culinary schools in the region to promote rice training in their curriculum to lay a foundation for rice moving forward."

Contact:  Sarah Moran, (703) 236-1457

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice FuturesCME Group (Prelim):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 27

Page 2: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Month Price Net Change

July 2014 $14.590 - $0.140

September 2014 $13.555 + $0.095

November 2014 $13.725 + $0.080

January 2015 $13.875 + $0.075

March 2015 $14.035 + $0.075

May 2015 $14.035 + $0.075

July 2015 $14.035 + $0.075

2014 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting – REGISTER NOW!

“Sowing the seeds for an agricultural success story”

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc (RGA) will be holding its Annual Conference, including the Annual General Meeting, at the Swan Hill Town Hall, 53 McCallum Street, Swan Hill. The Annual Conference will be convened on Thursday 7 August 2014 at 12.30pm followed by a networking dinner that evening. It will be re-convened on Friday 8 August 2013 at 9.00am for the presentation of RGA reports and financials. A post conference tour will held on Friday afternoon.

The 2014 conference theme is “Sowing the seeds for an agricultural success story” which will be interpreted through a range of interesting topics on the day including the growth of the rice industry since the planting of the first commercial crop by Jõ Takasuka in 1914 and how the industry will continue to thrive into the future.

Planning for an event to commemorate 100 years since the planting of the first commercial rice crop is underway in conjunction with Swan Hill Rural City Council. The event will take place at10.00am on 7 August at the rice monument on Forest Road, off the Murray Valley Highway.

Page 3: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

For more information including the registration brochure, registration form and accommodation list click here.

RGA News

SunRice congratulated on exceptional results

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has congratulated SunRice on another strong performance in 2013/14.

RGA President, Les Gordon, said the achievements of the grower owned company was an integral part of the success of the vertically integrated rice industry with the benefits flowing back to growers and into our regional communities.

“Over $340 million in paddy payments will be received by growers from the C13 crop with the majority of this money reinvested into local businesses and industry,” Mr Gordon said.

“Growers recognise the C13 crop presented a number of significant challenges in milling, and, combined with a complex operating environment, makes this year’s financial performance all the more impressive.”

Mr Gordon also welcomed the significant investment SunRice has made in a number of infrastructure projects at their milling sites over the last year.

“The decision to spend $32 million upgrading milling equipment and expanding value-adding facilities cannot be understated,” Mr Gordon said.

“SunRice are spending $8.5 million to build a new steaming and retort facility in Leeton which will bring enormous benefits to both the business and the community.”

“At a time where most food processors are reducing their presence in Australia and off-shoring services, this Australian owned company has taken the decision to expand their operations on-shore. This decision demonstrates the confidence SunRice has in the future of the rice industry and creates valuable employment opportunities in our regional communities,” Mr Gordon concluded.

Download the media release here.

Bittern friendly rice growing tips

The first edition of the Bittern Friendly Rice Growing Tips has been launched. The endangered Australasian Bittern arrives in rice crops about two months after sowing and begins nesting once there is sufficient cover. These tips are based on the key findings from the work to date of the Bitterns in Rice Project. They are for rice growers in the NSW Riverina that are keen and able to help conserve this special bird.

To view the tips please  click here   or view the Murray Wildlife website

Page 4: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Workforce event - “Your future agricultural workforce: my options, what to do, who can help me"

Griffith Thursday 17th July

This event will provide information on regional and international workers for Riverina farmers, and those in agriculture.  In the morning there will be presentations, in the afternoon the speakers will be available to meet one-on-one.

Workshops will be held if there is sufficient interest in particular topics.

Topics to date include:

 Agriculture training that is happening in the Riverina & how training can help your business.  Initiatives to ensure that we have regional workers tomorrow: attracting, training and

recruiting.  Labour hire: what you need to know; what is available; what you can expect International workers: visa options for agriculture; overview of the process; challenges and

solutions.  Are you interested in having overseas students working on your farm?  About to start employing, or just employ casuals? The basics on what to do, and your

responsibilities. Farmer stories about training and visas: lessons learned and happy endings.

This event is sponsored by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) as part of a research project being conducted by the University of Melbourne.  It is being run in conjunction with the Regional Development Authority, Riverina.

We seek your input into the program which is currently being developed.

Please contact Hayley Wordsworth - [email protected] or 0487 325 526 if you would like to suggest additions to the program, if you would like further information (Alternate contact: Dr. Jennifer Moffatt - [email protected] or 0422 183 011).

Regional Development Australia - Murray - June Newsletter & FYI Grants

Click on the link for the June FYI Grants - http://www.rdamurray.org.au/newsletters/fyi-grants.html

Click on the link for the June edition of the Regional Development Australia, Murray Newsletter -http://www.rdamurray.org.au/newsletters.html .

Page 5: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Please don't hesitate to contact us at the RGA Office on 02 6953 0433 if you have any queries or suggestions.

Regards

RGA Team

Ricegrowers' Association of Australia

P: 02 6953 0433

F: 02 6953 3823

E: [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter: @ricegrowers

To view the PDF files in this newsletter you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.  Adobe Reader is free software that can be downloaded from the website by clicking here.

More than 200 expected at Celebration Youth Conference

On Friday and Saturday, Celebration Community Church will host its 11th annual Youth Conference.

Since 2003, C3’s Pastors to Students, first Brant Rice, then Derek Mayfield and now Nick Eiden have organized a weekend filled with games, hysterical videos, snacks, high-energy worship with the Ignite band and meaningful messages delivered by C3’s teaching pastors.

This year’s conference expects more than 200 middle school and high schoolers from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado. The theme of this year’s conference is

Page 6: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

“Imagine,” and participants will learn that they are “all made in the image of God and through the imaginations he created within them that all things are possible.”

The cost is only $50 for all activities and meals. To register or to find out more, email [email protected]

Half-rice’ soon to be part of menus in QC eateriesJune 27, 2014 8:38am

   200    57    0    279  

 

Good news for weight- and budget-conscious customers when dining in Quezon City: a half-cup

serving of rice or "half-rice" may soon be part of the menu.

This was after the Quezon City council approved on third and final reading a proposed measure to

require establishments in the city to offer "half-rice."

Once the ordinance goes into effect, establishments cannot decline customers' orders for half rice,

according to a report by GMA News' Pia Arcangel on "Saksi" Thursday night.

But this would not be the first time half-rice would be on the menu. In 2008, fast food chains had

offered half-rice in response to the government's call to conserve rice.

The "Saksi" report cited data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute indicating each Filipino

may have wasted as much as three kilos of rice a year.

This is equivalent to three spoonfuls of rice a day – or a whopping P8 billion a year. On the other

hand, the move appears timely, as it came amid a hike in prices of rice.

In an interview on dzBB radio last week, National Food Authority spokesman Rex Estoperez said

prices of rice had gone up by about P2 per kilo, but added prices may normalize in September when

farmers start harvesting the commodity.

Mayor backs ordinance

Page 7: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

City Mayor Herbert Bautista said he agrees with the ordinance since it will give diners an option, and

would help minimize rice wastage.

"Payag ako sa ordinansang yan na mag-order ng half-rice para may option pang isa ang mga

kakain, at the same time walang masasayang na pagkain. Makatutulong na sa kalusugan,

makakatulong pa sa ekonomiya," he said.

Some restaurant owners were also in favor of the move, saying it will reduce their costs especially

on rice.

But some owners of "pares" eateries who already offer "small" servings of rice may incur added

costs.

'Rice-ponsible' drive

An article on the Philippine Rice Research Institute noted the half-rice option is already in effect in

other parts of the country.

It said towns in Aklan, La Union, Bohol, and Ilocos Norte had passed the “half-rice cup” ordinance.

Quoting Edwin Ramos of Aklan's Philippine Information Agency, it said students benefited from the

half-cup ordinance as it means savings of P25 a week.

Also, it said the Quezon City council had approved a resolution urging major fast-food chains and

restaurants to include brown rice servings.  —  Joel Locsin   /LBG, GMA News

Old rice finds way to govt warehouse in DinajpurRice for TR projects, purchased earlier by millers, again supplied there in changed sacksKongkon Karmaker, Dinajpur

Page 8: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Bags refilled with 'test relief' rice from earlier season get to the government warehouse in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur district, along with fresh rice under the ongoing boro procurement drive although

the whole amount is supposed to be collected from the recent harvest. PHOTO: STAR

Rice, earlier distributed to a few union parishad (UP) chairmen of Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur

under test relief (TR) project, is returning again to the government warehouses of Hakimpur upazila

food office during the ongoing boro procurement drive, thanks to corrupt practices of some officials.

Hakimpur upazila food control department signed agreement with 20 rice millers to procure 821

tonnes of rice during the three-month procurement drive from June 1 to August 30 and the

department has already procured 450 tonnes, officials said.

The amount includes at least 81 tonnes of rice of previous boro season, sources said.

According to the official sources, the food department of Hakimpur upazila signed an agreement with

Yousuf Husking Mill, Mondal Husking Mill and Gulzar Husking Mill of Hakimpur upazila despite

knowing these mills were non-functional.

The mill operators purchased the rice of TR projects of Alihat, Khatramadhabpur and Boaldar unions

of Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur in different times before the rice procurement drive started.

As usual, the rice of TR project for the three unions have been sold off to pay for development work

there, said the UP chairmen concerned.  

A local influential man of Hakimpur purchased the rice of different projects including TR and food for

Page 9: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

work project and millers later purchased the rice from him, sources said.     

As per rule, rice meant for TR projects can be sold to pay in cash for development works but the rice

of food for work project has to be directly given as payment to the beneficiary workers.

Md Abdur Rahim, project implementation office (PIO) of Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur, said his office

allocated and distributed 70 tonnes of rice among the chairmen of three union parishads in the

upazila till April this year.

According to the local witnesses, the aforesaid rice millers purchased the rice from the UP chairmen,

then put it into the sacks with print of the names of their own mills and again supplied it to Hakimpur

upazila food department during the procurement drive this season.

"We protested supply of such old rice but became helpless as high officials signed the agreement with

the mills despite knowing everything," said an officer seeking anonymity.

The owners of these rice mills claimed that those are functional and the allegation of supplying old

rice is baseless.

Sources, however, said such old rice is stored at the warehouse of Hakimpur food office. At least 400

sacks of rice (each containing 75 kg) piled up at Column 6, 200 sacks on column-2 and 480 sacks on

column-4 of the warehouse after the officials procured them.

Contacted, Fazlul Haque, upazila food controller of Hakimpur, said he was sick and could not talk

regarding the matter.Published: 12:00 am Friday, June 27, 2014

Rice's Minimum Support Price Raised by 3.8%Reuters | Updated On: June 25, 2014 20:34 (IST)

Ads by Google

Live Rice Index – International rice market news, Basmati & world rice priceslivericeindex.com/

Page 10: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

More From Economy

Realty Space to Get Boost With Rise in FDI: Report

'India Needs Half a Dozen Coal Indias'

Government May Appoint Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Soon: Report

Faster Reforms Can Revive Growth, Curb Stagflation: Report

India's Water Reservoir Levels at 25 Per Cent Capacity in Past Week

Some Cheer for PM Modi Amid Monsoon Woes

The government has raised the price at which it will buy the new season common rice from local farmers by 3.8 per cent to Rs. 1,360($22.78) per 100 kilograms, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference after a cabinet meeting.

The government has also raised the price of the superior variety of rice to Rs. 1,400 per 100 kg, up from Rs. 1,345 from the previous year, Mr Prasad said.

India buys rice from local farmers to protect growers from any distress sale and to build stocks for its welfare programmes.

($1 = Rs. 59.70)

Copyright: Thomson Reuters 2014

emo for mechanised rice cultivation

Page 11: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Muyang_Feed Equipment - Muyang,Leading brand of Feed Equipment and complete project.machineryshops.com/FeedEquipment

Ads by Google

R. RAJENDRAN

COMMENT (1)   ·   PRINT   ·   T  T  

Tweet

inShare

TOPICS

  Agriculture economy, business and financeagricultureThe Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute at Aduthurai organised a field demonstration recently for demonstrating the important implements such as land levelling, bund former, drum seeding for rice alone and rice cum daincha seeder, transplanter and fertilizer spreader in view of complete mechanisation for rice cultivation.

Seperate field

The institute has allotted a field exclusively for demonstrating this to delta farmers. More than 75 farmers participated in the demonstrations and discussed about the complete possibility of mechanising rice cultivation in the delta regions since labour shortage has been an acute problem for the past several years.

Direct puddling simultaneously levelling by rotavator rice harrow followed by machine transplanting of rice were demonstrated.

The demonstrated field will be maintained subsequently under complete mechanisation programme and weeding will be done by motorised weeding followed by machine harvesting.

Other methods such as basal fertilizer broadcasting and trimming and plastering of bunds were also demonstrated. Demonstration on direct drum seeding of rice and daincha (green manure) with 25 and 30 cm row spacing was also done.

In the 25 cm row spacing the daincha plants will be trampled by manually operated cono-weeder at 30 days after sowing and in the 30 cm row spacing plot motorised weeder will be used for trampling the daincha into the soil to convert it into manure.

On the inauguration day sowing alone was demonstrated to the farmers and further field operation will be carried by using machineries available for rice cultivation.

Exposure

Page 12: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Farmers were also taken around the SRI and other field experiments for their exposure.

About 10 final year B.Sc. (Ag) students from Anbil Dharmalingam Agriculture College & Research Institute, Tiruchi also participated.

At the end of the day farmers shared their opinions about the demonstration and expressed suggestions for improvement.

(Dr. R. Rajendran is Director-in charge, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI) TNAU, Aduthurai 612 101, Tamil Nadu, email: [email protected], Phone : 91-435 2472098)

Keywords: Rice cultivation, field demonstration, Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, SRI mechanism

Bicol farmers to benefit from PhilRice stationWritten by Rhaydz B BarciaWednesday, 25 June 2014

Rice production in the Bicol region is expected to increase following the inauguration of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) warehouse and seed processing facilities in Batang village.

Albay Third District Rep. Fernando Gonzalez, who graced the Farmers Field Day celebration on Monday, said farmers can achieve high production and high income if they can learn modern technology from PhilRice.

“We want our farmers to improve their rice production and income. This can be done if transfer of new technology from PhilRice will be passed on to the farmers,” said Gonzalez during the celebration carrying the theme “PhilRice Bicol: Satuyang Bag-ong Katabang sa Pag-abot Kan 1-Milyon Kita Kada Ektarya Kada Taon [PhilRice Bicol: Our new partner in achieving 1-Million income per hectare per year]”.

He also told PhilRice scientists that the transfer of new technology to farmers through simple application and trainings in line with the challenging climate will surely improve rice production in the countryside.

“Our objective is to improve the lives of our farmers considering that they`re the backbone of our economy. We need to help them through the assistance of PhilRice by transferring new technology to improve rice production thus send their children to school. Through new tools and innovations that will be introduced to our famers, it’s not impossible to attain our goal of being rice sufficient,” he explained.

As co-chair of House committee on appropriation, Gonzalez said he will help PhilRice increase its budget to develop more technologies.

The PhilRice-Bicol station will also serve the Visayas region.

“We want rice farmers to earn from P50,000 to P60,000 in one hectare. But if the average family size is five then he needs at least P80,000 per year to meet all basic needs, food, shelter and send his children to school. This can be attained if our rice farmers will go on multi-cropping to generate additional income aside from rice,” said PhilRice executive director Eufemio Rasco Jr.

Page 13: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

PhilRice-Bicol is the eighth research stations in the country with 20 hectares of demo farmland for rice breeding center.

Former Mayor Linda Gonzalez, who pushed the establishment of PhilRice station in Bicol, said that it took about eight years to conceptualize and materialize the project to help and boost farmer’s rice production.

“PhilRice was conceptualized in Ligao in late 2007. We’re all purpose-driven and so I`m happy that this materialized though the smallest station in the country maybe but this will be the center of rice breeding center in Bicol,” she said.

Mayor Patty Gonzalez-Alsua said the establishment of PhilRice-Bicol will address agriculture problem thus reducing poverty, hunger and malnutrition by improving rice sufficiency.

The Manila TimesJune 5, 2014

Weather doesn’t dampen interest in 2014 Rice Field DayWed, 06/25/2014 - 2:47pm Jeannine LeJeune

A group of farmers, rice industry personnel and Rice Research Station personnel gather to await the beginning of Rice Field Day activities Wednesday. The annual event showcases the advances in rice farming as well as provides useful information across the field concerning the industry, legislation and more.

Page 14: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Onlookers check out poster displays from researchers as well as other groups like Ducks Unlimited and Second Chance Harvest.

Set to be part of the 2014 Rice Field Day field tour, Dr. Randy Price and Charles Malveaux work with their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ahead of the tours as curious onlookers check out the UAV up close.

CROWLEY

With light rain falling here and there, you might expect the turnout for the 2014 Rice Field Day at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.

Think again.

The impending weather did not dampen, so to speak, the interests of farmers and others involved in the rice industry in the latest advances in the field. Rice Field Day was also a chance, however, to get updates on legislation like the new Farm Bill, and more.

Page 15: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Outside of the Field Tours – set to feature information on rice breeding, weed control, insect control, disease control, agronomy and hybrid breeding and the use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) in agriculture, there was also a poster session and the program featuring multiple guest speakers.

The printed program for the day also featured an overview of each doctor’s research into the fields.

Dr. Steve Linscombe has listed out 58 varieties, hybrids and advanced experimental lines of rice while Dr. Xueyan Sha’s paragraphs talked about his work with the development of superior medium-grain and long-grain rice varieties for Arkansas and the mid-South.

Under rice weed control, Drs. Eric Webster’s and Bob Scott’s thoughts on the subject were displayed. Webster, along with research assistance from Caleb Fish, Ben McKnight and Eric Bergeron talked about weed management in the program and Scott provided an update on Arkansas Rice Weed Management.

Dr. Michael Stout’s rice insects project overview as well as Dr. Jeff Gore’s look into rice water weevil and stink bug management in Mississippi rice; Dr. Don Groth’s rice disease update and Dr. Clayton A. Hollier’s work on Cercospora Disease Complex: Biology and Impact, A Better Understanding for Better Management; Dr. Randy Price and Charles Malveux’s look into the use of UAVs in agriculture; and Dr. Dustin Harrell’s research into reducing nitrogen volatilization losses in rice production and Dr. James Oard’s look into rice hybrid breeding were also in the program and on the docket.

At the poster session, not only was more research on display, but booths from Wildlife and Fisheries, RiceTec, USA Rice Federation, Entergy and many more were on hand as well, all trying to provide their insights and expertise into what they can and have contributed to the rice industry.

During the day’s program, Jackie Loewer, chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, addressed those in attendance about the activities of the board. 

Headlines from the Louisiana Rice Research Board’s annual report, presented with the printed program to attendees highlighted the fact that two new Clearfield varieties could be released soon for the new growing season: a medium-grain Clearfield and a Clearfield version of Jazzman.

A farm bill and rice market update was provided by Dr. Michael Salassi, a J. Nelso Fairbanks-endowed professor of agricultural economics. 

Page 16: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

State Conservationist with the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service Kevin Norton talked about conservation opportunities for working agriculture lands. Trade constraints and opportunities for Louisiana rice were the focuses of USA Rice COO Bob Cummings’ talk.

LSU’s vice president of agriculture, Dr. William B. Richardson, also presented some remarks on the industry.

For more information on the Rice Research Station, visit http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/research_stations/Rice/.

Jeannine LeJeune is the online editor for the Crowley Post-Signal. She can be reached at [email protected] or 337-783-3450.

USA Rice Participates in LSU Rice Field Day; Reports to LA Rice PromotionBoard

Cummings reports on LA check-off funded research.

CROWLEY, LA -- More than 400 rice farmers and industry stakeholders gathered here yesterday for the 105th Annual Louisiana State University AgCenter Rice Research Field Day.  Rice research findings and crop production recommendations by AgCenter scientists and Extension personnel were presented in an indoor setting because field tours were cancelled due to rain.

USA Rice Federation COO Bob Cummings, on hand to review USA Rice's activities and present a financial report, said, "We are happy that the Louisiana check-off program, which is so vital to rice research and promotion, is back on track."

Cummings also discussed trade constraints and opportunities facing the Louisiana rice industry and outlined efforts by USA Rice to preserve market share in Mexico, increase rice sales to Iraq, and to assist the International Trade Commission in its new investigation of various factors and policies affecting the global competitiveness of the U.S. rice industry.  The positive trade situation with Colombia also has generated over $1.5 million for Louisiana rice research since implementation of the agreement.

Following the field day activities, USA Rice staff presented the annual USA Rice Council report to the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board, the governor-appointed producer board responsible for allocating funds from the state's rice promotion check-off.

Jim Guinn, USA Rice vice president of international promotion, reported on USA Rice's work to increase domestic awareness and usage of U.S. rice, including ongoing efforts to position rice favorably in federal food policy

initiatives, partnering with retail dietitians to reach consumers, and promoting U.S.-grown rice to foodservice professionals.

Guinn also reviewed the top U.S. export markets, focusing on competition in Mexico, Central America, and Haiti, and outlining USA Rice efforts to increase rice sales in each.  He noted recent increases in sales to Iraq following a

USA Rice's Jim Guinn (l) explaining export competition.

Page 17: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

visit by Grain Board of Iraq officials to U.S. rice country.

Contact:  Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009

Texas Rice Field Day 'Rained In'

Dr. Joe Outlaw stays dry.EAGLE LAKE, TX -- Rain in the area movedTuesday's 40th annual Texas AgriLife Extension Field Day indoors but didn't dampen the resolve of researchers there who discussed their work with rice varieties, seed treatments, and pest management.  

The USA Rice Federation was a sponsor of the event where staffer Lauren Echols and Texas A&M's Dr. Joe Outlaw were featured speakers.  Outlaw talked about Farm Bill implementation and his effortsto develop and launch educational tools to help farmers and ranchers make enrollment decisions for the Agriculture Risk Coverage program and the Price Loss Coverage program.

Earlier in the day, Echols spoke to the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group and provided updates on Farm Bill implementation, crop insurance issues, research funds generated by the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the USA Rice/Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership, and the Regional Conservation Partnership program.

While in Texas, Echols visited with USA Rice members at the Colorado County Rice Mill in Eagle Lake and Riviana Foods in Freeport.

Contact:  Lauren Echols, (703) 236-1440

Weekly Rice Sales, Exports ReportedWASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 13,300 MT for 2013/2014 were down 85 percent from the previous week and 68 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today'sExport Sales Highlights report.  Increases were reported for Colombia (6,500 MT), Canada (2,400 MT), Saudi Arabia (1,500 MT), Jordan (1,200 MT), and Guatemala (500 MT).  Decreases were reported for Costa Rica (200 MT) and the Republic of South Africa (100 MT).

Exports of 32,800 MT were down 20 percent from the previous week and 39 percent from the prior four-week average.  The primary destinations were Japan (13,000 MT), Haiti (8,800 MT), Canada (2,900 MT), Mexico (2,300 MT), and South Korea (2,100 MT).

This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period June 13-19.

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice FuturesCME Group (Preliminary):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for June 26

Month Price Net Change

July 2014 $14.730 - $0.110

September 2014 $13.460 - $0.215

November 2014 $13.645  - $0.225

January 2015 $13.800 - $0.235

March 2015 $13.960 - $0.235

May 2015 $13.960 - $0.235

July 2015 $13.960 - $0.235

Page 18: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Rain Helps Southeast Texas Rice FarmersBEAUMONT - by Lauren Huet

This week's stormy weather isn't just helping your garden grow, it's also helping rice farmers. There are 32,000 acres of rice in Jefferson, Chambers and Liberty County and Southeast Texas has been dryer than usual this year. Farmers say, this rain is a big help.

Mike Doguet owns Doguet's Rice and acres of rice fields. He says it's been a dry year for farmers.

"A lot of times in this area I'm not real happy because we get too much rain, but this year I was definitely excited to get rain becasue we needed it," said Doguet.

As long as it's not too much rain.

"If you get too much rain and it stays cloudy for a long time, then you can get a lot of disease in the crop. So, I know there are a lot of farmers out right now scouting their fields," said Doguet.

However Doguet thinks this week's rains will help not hurt the crop.

"I think as long as it comes an inch or two a day we're alright for three or four days," said Doguet. "And it's supposed to clear up next week so that will be fine."

It takes about 39 inches of water to grow rice, so every inch of rain that falls means less water rice farmers have to purchase and less water the Lower Neches Valley Authority has to pump in for irrigation.

"Now with the Lower Neches [Valley] Authority, we're actually metered for our water," said Doguet. "So, every gallon you put in that field you have to pay for. So, rain does save you money, so rice farmers are happy to get rain as long as it doesn't continue on for weeks at a time."

"In general, we're pulling 200 to 300 million gallons a day, every day," said Scott Hall, the general manager of the Lower Neches Valley Authority, "and this peak time of the year irrigation wise, we've gotten up to 800 million gallons a day. We can pump over a billion gallons a day."

Hall says this week's rains will help reduce the need for irrigation.

"Jefferson County and right along the coast has been very dry this year," said Hall. "So, anywhere from two inches in the upper county, to half an inch, to an inch along the coast will be some drought relief."

Page 19: 26 & 27 June 2014 More RICE NEWS by Riceplus Magazine

Drought relief that has farmers smiling.

"Thank God for the rain and it does look like a very good rice crop," said Doguet.

Although Jefferson County is in a moderate drought, Hall says Southeast Texas's water supply is fine and Sam Rayburn Reservoir is full.

"We're actually at a full pool at Rayburn, it hasn't been that way in five years," said Hall. "So, water supply wise we're in great shape."