Last week, USA Rice Vice President Of Policy & Government Affairs Peter Bachmann and Ana LeFort, a rice trader for Supreme Rice Mill in Crowley, Louisiana, participated in a “first of its kind” conference here for private sector businesses from Cuba.
Nearly 100 business owners and entrepreneurs from Cuba representing the country’s burgeoning private sector participated in Expeditio USA No 1 to learn about opportunities to facilitate more trade with U.S. businesses.
Read MoreLate last week, the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act was introduced in both the House and Senate establishing a joint task force on agricultural trade enforcement between the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and signaling more engagement with Congress and the private sector on the development of agricultural dispute priorities.
Read MoreCongressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), a staunch advocate for Louisiana's agricultural community, and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) introduced the Prioritizing Offensive Agriculture Disputes and Enforcement Act. The bill identifies trade barriers to the United States agriculture exports and develops strategies to enforce violations of trade agreements.
The initiative enhances Congressman Higgins' ongoing efforts to support Louisiana's unique agricultural needs in the Farm Bill.
Read MoreU.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced two bills to protect Louisiana rice and shrimp against China and India’s dumping of cheap shrimp and produce into U.S. markets. The Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act and the India Shrimp Tariff Act will both protect the Louisiana agricultural industry while ensuring that food that appears on U.S. store shelves meets U.S. health standards.
Read MoreThe Louisiana rice industry celebrates National Rice Month doing what they do best – cooking and sharing the region’s homegrown rice!
Throughout the month, annual cooking competitions from the Port of Lake Charles to Jennings to Crowley reward rice chefs with prizes, recognition, and bragging rights.
Read MoreLouisiana rice farmers will get a little extra help from the federal government this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that rice producers will receive an additional payment through the Farm Service Agency’s Rice Production Program, which provides up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers.
Read MoreFriday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that final payments for rice farmers through the Rice Production Program (RPP) payment will soon be made.
The RPP is $250 million in assistance specifically for U.S. rice farmers who in 2022 experienced stagnant rice market prices and record high input costs. The funding was provided for in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act at the request of USA Rice.
Read MoreA historic building in Crowley is getting a bit of a makeover.
The Rice Theatre, situated in downtown Crowley, has remained untouched by renovations for over 20 years.
Read MoreLouisiana is known the world over for its love of revelry and food and the two came together last week for the inaugural Louisiana Food & Wine Festival where U.S. rice was served, sampled, and distributed throughout the weekend. Thanks to generous donations and support from four local USA Rice members – Falcon Rice Mill, Farmers Rice Mill, Kennedy Rice, and Supreme Rice – USA Rice signage and “Grown in the USA” messaging was everywhere.
Read MoreThis month’s 2023/24 U.S. corn outlook projects slightly larger supplies and ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2023/24 have been lowered by 5 million bushels mostly due to offsetting trade and corn used for ethanol changes for 2022/23. Corn production for 2023/24 is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, this a 23-million-bushel increase from last month’s estimates as greater harvested area more than offsets reductions in yield.
Read MoreNutritionist Jen Avis was back in the Good Morning ArkLaMiss studio today talking about a locally grown food item - rice.
Although Avis says rice has many nutritional benefits, she says there are things to watch out for. According to Avis, 1 cup of rice is equal to 45 grams of carbs - she says that’s something diabetics have to watch out for.
Read MoreLouisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 119 million bushels, up 25 percent from the August 1 forecast and up 61 percent from 2022. Based on conditions as of September 1, yield is expected to average 175 bushels per acre, up 6 bushels from last month and up 5 bushels from last year. Planted acreage is revised to 700,000 acres, up 120,000 acres from June 2023. Harvested acreage for grain is revised from 565,000 to 680,000 acres.
Read MoreWhile insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop’s unique environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice annually presents the Sustainability Award to identify and promote efforts in this area.
Read MoreSeptember is National Rice Month, a time to celebrate the harvest of the small but mighty grain that has captivated Americans’ hearts and stomachs for more than 300 years. Nearly 85 percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown right here on family farms across six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.
Read MoreIn partnership with the US Rice Producers Association, the Stoesser family is offering a $5,000 scholarship to one deserving high school senior or current college student who is interested in or is currently pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field.
In addition to the monetary award, the selected recipient will serve as a student ambassador for USRPA in 2024 with an expectation of participating in at least two activities during the calendar year.
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