Yesterday proved to be a busy day for rice growers from southeast Texas to central and northeast Louisiana.
In what was likely a first time, and probably on nobody’s Bingo card, the SETX Rice Symposium had to be rescheduled due to an unprecedented snow event across the Gulf Coast region in late January. Dr. Mithila Jugulam, director of the Rice Research Station in Beaumont, welcomed growers and industry representatives to the Winnie Stovall Community Center yesterday afternoon.
The 28th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference was held on Monday and Tuesday, at the Hilton Memphis Hotel here, and, as always, was well attended by rice farmers, consultants, researchers, and industry representatives.
The meeting featured 22 unique rice sessions presented by 17 rice research scientists, three rice farmers, and two rice consultants.
Read MoreThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently published an updated definition that provides guidance on what food products can claim to be “healthy” under federal rules. Whole grain rice was identified as part of the estimated five percent of foods that meet the new definition and now qualify to use the healthy claim on packaging and marketing materials.
Read MoreThe 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook calls for lower production, feed and residual use, exports, and ending stocks. Corn production has been revised downward by some 276 million bushels to an estimated 14.9 billion bushels, mainly due to a 3.8-bushel per acre cut in yield to 179.3 bushels which was partially offset by a 0.2-million acre increase in harvested area. Total corn use is down 75 million bushels to 15.1 billion.
Read MoreA pair of policy directives signed into law by Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader just before the new year have put burgeoning exports of US rice to the country in the crosshairs, according to industry advocate USA Rice.
Bobby Hanks, a Louisiana rice miller and chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee, said these policy directives come at a crucial point in the countries’ trade relationship.
Read MoreAs farmers begin making plans for the upcoming growing season, many are bracing for the likelihood of another year marked by tight margins.
“Production costs for 2025 are estimated to decrease for the second consecutive year, which is good news,” said LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto.
Read MorePlanted rice acreage that was once predictable has shifted patterns, with acres inching higher the past three consecutive years. That, in addition to hurricane weather, tightened seed supply for one of the largest players in the market.
Read MoreWe hope to see you in Memphis, Tennessee on Jan. 27 at the Conservation System Cotton & Rice Conference at the Hilton Hotel East Memphis, where Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag CEO, will be leading two conference breakout sessions entitled Provisia Rice: Past Lessons Set Stage for Future Success. During these session, Dr. Walker will share key learnings from recent seasons that can help rice farmers best manage Provisia varieties and the Provisia Rice System for the 2025 season.
Read MoreLouisiana corn area harvested is 440,000, down 35 percent from 2023. The average yield is estimated at 185 bushels per acre, up 10 bushels from last year. Production totaled 81.4 million bushels, down 32 percent from 2023.
Upland cotton harvested acres is 148,000, up 29 percent from 2023. The yield is expected to average 1,070 pound.
Read MoreThe Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG), which convenes every two years, bringing together research and extension faculty, and rice industry professionals to exchange information, engage in cooperative planning, and review rice research, will meet February 17-20 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.
The RTWG has grown to become one of the largest rice-focused meetings in the country, with more than 300 participants from around the world attending the 2023 meeting.
Read MoreUSA Rice is taking to the road in partnership with local UK brand Peacock Premium, delivering U.S. long grain rice to customers throughout the nation from a customized 10-ton truck.
Over the next three years, the truck, branded with eye-catching Peacock graphics, is scheduled to travel the length and breadth of England, Wales, and Scotland – at least 30,000 miles a year being seen by more than 12 million people.
The 2024 National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest Grand Prize Winner is Helen Lan, a graduating senior from Boerne, Texas. Her award-winning video, The Tale of The Rice Ghost, was made with lots of determination, rice facts, and Lego bricks.
“It brought back fun childhood memories,” says Lan, who talks about her experience creating the video on Episode 104 of The Rice Stuff podcast.
Read MoreOn Saturday, December 21, 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Relief Act of 2025. Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan bill, a continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the Federal government operating through March 14, 2025. It also included farmer economic assistance, weather-related disaster relief for agriculture, and another 2018 Farm Bill extension.
Read MoreThe deadline for registering for the 2025 RTWG and for securing a hotel room at the conference hotel is quickly approaching. The deadline to register without incurring a late fee and to reserve a hotel room at the conference hotel is January 17, 2025. However, ii is important to point out that hotel rooms at the conference rate are on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you are able to secure your room, you are encouraged to make your reservation as soon as possible.
Read MoreEvery year at the Annual Rice Awards Luncheon, Rice Farming Magazine bestows three awards: Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award, and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award. These annual recognitions, co-sponsored by Horizon Ag and USA Rice, highlight some of the most positive achievements associated with the U.S. rice industry.
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