Curtis Berry

CLEVELAND, MS -- Last week, the USA Rice Federation provided a national affairs update at the Mississippi Farm Bureau Rice Commodity Advisory Committee meeting here.   

Reece Langley, vice president for government affairs, updated growers and industry members on the current Farm Bill implementation timeline and the preliminary decision aid tool available from Texas A&M. 

Langley also provided an update on regulatory issues, including the proposed "Waters of the U.S." rule and Worker Protection Standards rules from EPA, as well as the outcome of legislation to lessen the compliance burden for producers under the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures rule for on-farm fuel storage facilities.   

The update also included the ongoing activities of the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership, and the current trade and market access opportunities and challenges currently facing the industry and how USA Rice is addressing them.

In addition, Langley participated in the Mississippi Rice Council board meeting and provided a brief update on USA Rice activities.   

Curtis Berry, a rice farmer from Robinsonville, MS and president of the Mississippi Rice Council attended both meetings and said, "We appreciate Reece taking time before the Farm Bureau meeting to give our members a review of the recent USA Rice business meetings.  It's always better to meet face-to-face and have the opportunity to ask questions on issues that are specific to our region."   

Contact:  Michael Klein, (703) 236-1458

Lights...Camera...Action!

RAYVILLE, LA -- The Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers' Association (NELARGA) hosted its annual rice and soybean field day last Thursday.  Farmers and allied rice industry personnel gathered at the Louisiana State University AgCenter's off-station research plots on the Woodsland Plantation to hear research-based production recommendations on topics including varietal development, insect, weed and disease control, and fertilizer management.  

Growers also received an update on production issues observed by AgCenter personnel during the current growing season.

Following the research demonstrations, attendees assembled at the Rayville Civic Center.  Reece Langley, USA Rice Federation vice president of government affairs, provided an update and projected timeline on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's implementation of the new Farm Bill.  Langley also reviewed Texas A&M's Farm Bill decision aid tools that can be used to guide producers as they make critical decisions regarding Title 1 and crop insurance decisions.  Langley also reported on the status of EPA's Spill Prevention, Control and Counter Measures rule and their proposed rule regarding Waters of the U.S.

While in Louisiana, USA Rice staff visited the Big River Rice and Grain offices in Pioneer and Kennedy Rice Mill in Mer Rouge.

Captive audience

USA Rice is a sponsor of the Northeast LA Rice Field Day.

USA Rice was also a sponsor of, the 67^th annual Beaumont, Texas Field Day held on July 10.  

USA Rice Senior Director of Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs Steve Hensley, and Louisiana Field Services staff Mary and Randy Jemison joined Texas growers during research plot tours and discussed rice issues at the USA Rice display booth.

Contact:  Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009

Aug. 1 -- Arkansas AgExpo (Rice Field Day)
University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center
2900 Hwy. 130 East

Stuttgart, AR 72160
Contact:  Dr. Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-2661 or cwilson@uaex.edu  

Aug. 14 - Rice Tec Arkansas field Day

15329 Highway 1

Harrisburg, AR 72432

Contact: Dr. Brian Ottis, (573) 391-0366 or bottis@ricetec.com  

Aug. 27 -- California Rice Field Day
California Rice Experiment Station

955 Butte City Highway

Biggs, CA 95917
Contact:  Dr. Kent McKenzie, (530) 868-5481 or ksmckenzie@crrf.org 

Sept. 2 -- Missouri Rice Field Day

Jake Fisher Delta Research Center, Portageville, Missouri

Contact: Tina Clark, (573) 379-5431or clarktr@missouri.edu 

Around Washington

Lawmakers Urge Quick Farm Bill Implementation Delta Farm Press

Implementation of elements of farm bill slowed by major data gathering.

PAC's Pave the Way for Greater Political Influence in Rural America Agri-Pulse

Based on reports filed with the Federal Election Commission in 2013 and 2014, there are 7,025 federal PACs trying to influence candidates and their campaigns. Those PACs reported total receipts of $1.1 billion during this election cycle, with disbursements of $951.5 million, debts of $20.9 million, and combined cash - on-hand of $594.1 million as of the end of March.

USDA Reminds Farmers of 2014 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Changes USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded producers that changes mandated through the 2014 Farm Bill require them to have on file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026).

Around the Country

Made in Rural America Shows Delta Potential Agwatch Network

The Delta region, with its entrepreneurial history, affordable energy, available land, and accessible waterways and transportation network, is primed to reap the benefits of a national focus on rural America.

Major Media Still Wrong on Water Use Western Farm Press

State records show that media continue to lie about California agriculture use of irrigation water.

Around the World

Criminal Charge Recommended Against Ousted Thai PM Washington Post

The rice subsidy program, which paid the farmers double the market price, helped the Yingluck government win votes in the 2011 general election, but it accumulated losses of at least $4.4 billion and also cost Thailand its position as the leading global rice exporter for two years.

Trade and Tariffs

Phony Fears on Trans-Atlantic Trade Wall Street Journal

For too long, Europe has used scientifically unsound arguments to close off its food market to competition. The TTIP could change this, giving the Continent's half a billion consumers access to less expensive food products.

Health and Nutrition

Study Finds Elementary Students Like New Healthier Lunches  

Wall Street Journal

Students, by the end of the school year, generally liked the new lunches, which feature more whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and lower fat levels.