2021 USA Rice Outlook Conference Tackles Tough Issues
USA Rice
NEW ORLEANS, LA – The 2021 USA Rice Outlook Conference wrapped up in New Orleans Tuesday with an impressive slate of programming for the more than 575 attendees.
“We knew being together again after a year and a half, sharing ideas and experiences, would be rewarding,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
“As Monday’s General Session keynote speaker author and journalist Dan Gardner, reminded us, we’re social creatures and our ability to make sound decisions depends on tapping that social network, which everyone did in and around sessions, in the exhibit hall, and during several conference receptions. We’re also willing to adapt and many conference sessions highlighted the ability of USA Rice to pivot when faced with challenging situations including a virtual chefs’ tour with an emphasis on sustainability as well as new marketing promotions based on the surprising results of the latest consumer research.”
Daniel Whitley, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) administrator, also spoke at Monday’s General Session, giving a comprehensive review of the agency’s efforts to analyze agricultural export markets and formulate policies to advance American agricultural interests. He described USA Rice as the "gold standard" of USDA cooperators using all the tools in the USDA toolbox including food aid, market promotion, and technical assistance.
Dr. Carrie Castille, director of the USDA National Institute Food and Agriculture, reminded attendees of her agency’s vast resources and her desire to continue working closely with the U.S. rice industry on research projects that advance our understanding and rice’s position in the world.
Other presentations focused on transportation and logistics, and how the rise in aromatic imports is threatening our domestic market. A panel of experts did a deep dive into cyber security sharing the devastating effects of computer hacking and what businesses can do to ward off “the bad guys.” Other educational breakout sessions focused on rising farm input costs, the value of checkoff programs, and a look at rice “beyond the plate” and in people’s glasses as a key ingredient in saké, vodka, and whiskey.
“At Monday’s annual Awards Luncheon we celebrated the accomplishments of rice industry leaders,” said Ward. “We recognized those who won awards in 2020 as well as 2021, and we welcomed the members of the new Rice Leadership Development Class. Stay tuned to the USA Rice Daily in the coming days for more information about these outstanding individuals.”
Also on Monday’s schedule was the second U.S. Rice Quality Symposium. More than 20 buyers from Latin America joined seven rice breeders and dozens of USA Rice members to evaluate 18 varieties developed especially for the Latin American market.
Research universities in all six major rice producing states provided their state outlook and research reports, and, for the first time, attendees heard an update about rice production in Florida.
The second General Session that closed the conference featured Outlook mainstays Nathan Childs and Jim Wiesemeyer and added Dr. Conrad Choiniere with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Dr. Mike Strain, the commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.
“Those who attended the 2021 USA Rice Outlook Conference have the opportunity to complete surveys on the sessions as your feedback is welcomed, encouraged, and helps us plan for next year,” said Ward. “And thanks to the conference mobile app sponsored by BASF, anyone may access presenter materials.”