USA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Marlin O. "Sonny" Martin, 73, of Bernie, MO, who passed away on November 26. 

Martin's leadership roles in the rice industry included service on the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council and the chairmanship of the USA Rice Council from 1994 to 1996.   

Survivors include his wife, Alice Martin, three sons, Tim, Mike, and David, and four grandchildren.   Funeral services were held on November 29. 

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Gospel Mission, 207 One Mile Road, Dexter, MO 63841, or the Stoddard County Children's Home Memorial Tribute Fund, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841.

ARLINGTON, VA -- At the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the USA Rice Federation recently submitted information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollinator Health Task Force on the value of a class of seed treatments used on rice seeds.  The seed treatment in question is neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides introduced two decades ago and adopted by farmers around the world because of their effectiveness in controlling harmful and destructive crop pests.

There is concern that neonicotinoids, or neonics as they are usually called, may play a role in recent pollinator declines.  While rice is not pollinated by bees, there is mounting pressure to ban the entire class of neonics due to uncertainties regarding their potential environmental impact on pollinators.

The U.S. rice industry relies heavily on the neonicotinoid seed treatments to combat insect pests, and with the loss of older crop protection products, cannot afford the loss of three more products.

Recent EPA analysis concluded that there is little or no increase in soybean yields using most neonicotinoid seed treatments when compared to using no pest control at all.  This analysis is an important part of the science EPA will use in their assessment of the risks and benefits under registration review for the neonicotinoid pesticides.

A year ago, Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, and Valent jointly commissioned an independent study on the socio-economic benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America.  This research has produced a comprehensive series of 15 reports demonstrating the value of neonicotinoids.

The study looked at U.S. and Canadian agriculture as well as turf and ornamental sectors, and all uses of neonicotinoids: seed treatment, foliar, and soil applications.  The first nine reports have been released to the media.  They are available on a new website called GrowingMatters.org, along with news releases, fact sheets, videos, and an infographic.

Contact:  Steve Hensley (703) 236-1445

Announcement:           1 December 2014

Tender:                        4 December 2014

Offer details:               58,000 mt

Shipping period:         (Medium grain) From 1 March 2015 to 10 April 2015

                                    (Long grain) From 10 March 2015 to 20 April 2015

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Rice Industry Leader Calls it a Day Farm Weekly

Long-serving rice industry leader and SunRice chairman Gerry Lawson is to retire from the company's board next month.