Has Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson solved the “problem with America?” Well, maybe not exactly.

In regards to America’s problems, the dwindling number of times Americans cook rice wasn’t exactly at the top of the list. Actually, it didn’t make the list at all…

Phil Robertson appeared on his Youtube channel once again Saturday to condemn America for its rice cooking abilities. Since Phil Robertson and the rest of his family are very faith-oriented, Robertson says to have enough food for a guest and to “practice hospitality.”

Thursday, USA Rice released the 2019-20 U.S. Rice Domestic Usage Report, an annual publication that tracks categorized domestic shipments and consumption of U.S.-grown milled rice. The report covers the 2019-20 marketing year, which ran from August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020.

Nominations are being accepted for the 2021 Rice Awards, sponsored each year by USA Rice, Horizon Ag and Rice Farming Magazine.

Cool weather is taking its toll on young rice plants in south Louisiana while north Louisiana farmers are still waiting for fields to be dry enough for planting.

Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist, said rice plant health will improve with warmer weather. He said a seedling blight fungus has been found in some fields.

“The cool, wet soils have caused it to be more prolific,” said Harrell. “We have some stands that have been thinned. Typically, the rice will grow out of it.”

Harrell said the cool weather has stressed plants that have zinc deficiency. He said the problem can be remedied with applying zinc to the fields.

For quite some time, the USA Rice Marketability and Competitiveness Task Force has been investigating quality concerns raised by Central American importers of U.S.-origin rice. And last week, those concerns were addressed in a tangible manner with the debut of LA 2126, a new long grain experimental line, developed especially for Latin American consumers at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Rice Research Station.

Rice planting is wrapping up in south Louisiana, but wet weather has kept farmers out of the fields in the north.
Ronnie Levy, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, estimated that 90 percent of the south Louisiana crop has been planted compared to 20 percent of the north Louisiana crop.

More than thirty years ago the U.S. rice industry decided to invest in itself by creating the Rice Leadership Development Program to identify future leaders and help them hone their skills. Few industry programs are as widely and universally respected, and on episode 19 of The Rice Stuff podcast the program steps into the spotlight.