USA Rice Logo
USA Rice Daily
Up-to-the-Minute News on Issues and Activities
USA Rice Federation is the global advocate of all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
USA Rice Urges 100 Percent Inspection of Rice Shipments from Pakistan
Insecta non grata

ARLINGTON, VA - The full leadership of the USA Rice Federation has sent a letter to USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) asking the agency to conduct mandatory inspections on all shipments of rice from Pakistan, following the discovery last week of Khapra beetle larvae in a rice shipment from the country.

 

"Your discovery of Khapra beetle in a rice shipment from Pakistan to the port of Baltimore on August 6, 2014 has raised concerns across the U.S. rice industry due to the threat it poses not only to our $34 billion industry but also to U.S. agriculture in general," reads the letter. "This beetle is one of the world's most destructive pests of grain products and seeds. Without your diligence, the Khapra beetle could have entered the United States and caused major damage to U.S. agricultural industries."

 

The Khapra beetle is a native of India, but has spread to other countries in the area, Europe, and North Africa. Because of its ranking as one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world, many countries ban the import of agricultural products from countries with known infestations.

 

"Our top rice export market, Mexico, bans imports from countries with known Khapra infestations," said Dow Brantley, USA Rice Federation Chairman and one of the letter's signers. "It would be devastating if Khapra beetle could establish itself here, which is why we were so pleased APHIS caught it and turned those shipments around last week. We hope they'll keep the inspections up."

 

Other signers of the letter were John Owen, Chairman of the USA Rice Producers' Group; Chris Crutchfield, Chairman of the USA Rice Millers' Association; Dick Ottis, Chairman of the USA Rice Merchants' Association; and Betsy Ward, President and CEO of the USA Rice Federation.

 

"APHIS should be commended for their vigilance in stopping these contaminated shipments," said Ward. "We think the value of agriculture to our economy, and the seriousness of the threat make a strong case for mandatory 100 percent inspections of rice coming from any country with known Khapra infestations, particularly India and Pakistan."

 

Twenty-six countries have been designated by USDA as having endemic Khapra beetle infestations including India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh.

 

Contact:  Michael Klein, (703) 236-1458(703) 236-1458

USDA Risk Management Agency Releases Additional Details on SCO for 2015
Risk icon

 WASHINGTON, DC -- USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently provided additional information on the new Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) crop insurance policy that will be available for rice and other crops in 2015. 

 

SCO is authorized by the new Farm Bill and is intended to provide an additional risk management option to help producers cover a portion of their insurance deductible.  SCO can only be purchased in conjunction with an underlying insurance policy and the type of coverage is determined by the underlying policy - yield or revenue protection. 

 

The RMA website includes a fact sheet on SCO, the standards handbook and endorsement policy, as well as a Crop Insurance Decision Tool that allows a producer to input farm data and see the various options for coverage levels under SCO and the underlying policy. 

 

The actual producer premium estimates are not included yet for rice, but will be made available later this year.  USA Rice is working with RMA to ensure SCO availability covers all the core rice producing areas for 2015 and any outlying areas are expected to have coverage by 2016.  RMA will provide a map showing coverage areas later this year.  The website also includes a presentation prepared by RMA that offers a detailed explanation and examples of SCO.

 

USA Rice will continue to work with RMA on implementation of SCO and other crop insurance enhancements for the 2015 crop year and will keep producers apprised of these developments as more information is made available.

 

Contact: Reece Langley (703) 236-1471(703) 236-1471 

CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures   
CME Group (Preliminary):  Closing Rough Rice Futures for August 13


Month
Price
Net Change
September 2014$12.655
+ $0.005
November 2014$12.690
- $0.035
January 2015$12.890
- $0.030
March 2015$13.070
- $0.030
May 2015$13.215
- $0.030
July 2015$13.395
- $0.030
September 2015$13.220
- $0.030


In the News

Around the Country

Good Drainage, New Technology Helping Bowers Farms Continue to Move Ahead Delta Farm Press

Dawson and Trey Bowers are working on a 300-acre "experiment" with furrow-irrigated rice. They are hopeful the unconventionally-watered rice, which was planted on a field with a steeper grade than others on the farm, will enable them to use less water in their operation.

 

Inspections Resume at United Grain Oregon Live

Neither the longshore union nor the three grain-handling companies who operate in the Portland area will talk publicly about the tentative contract they agreed to late Monday night. But at the grain terminal hardest hit by the contract impasse and subsequent lockout, grain was again being loaded onto ships Tuesday afternoon for delivery to offshore buyers.

 

See-Through Food Packaging Boosts Sales Wall Street Journal

Clear packaging gives products an aura of being natural, something that more shoppers are seeking.

 

 

Around the World

Thailand Looking to Produce Ethanol from Rotten Rice Stocks - Officials Reuters

Thailand's top energy firm and also the biggest ethanol consumer said the plan was in a feasibility study stage and would need to be finalized later.

 

 

Science and Technology

FAA Drone Ruling Said to be Setback for Farmers, Research Southeast Farm Press

Agriculture is trying to use this technology in a beneficial way; not misuse it. The FAA needs to quickly provide guidelines or a new ruling.

 

What are the Key Issues for UAV Use in Agriculture? Delta Farm Press

The FAA has a deadline of September 2015 to come up with new regulations. Once that occurs, state-specific legislation will follow.

facebook logo   twitter   YouTube
Upcoming Events
 Events Calendar
 
Recent Issues

August 8

Mission Statement
USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.
About Us
Editor: Michael Klein,
(703) 236-1458,
mklein@usarice.com

Fax (703) 236-2301

2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 610
Arlington, VA 22201

This report is time-sensitive, based on information available at press time. Content is derived from facts and sources believed to be reliable. Reprinting and/or distribution may be done with permission of the USA Rice Federation

Copyright � 2014. Please direct comments or questions to the editor or contact name listed for each story.