LITTLE ROCK, AR - The 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference successfully wrapped up here on Tuesday.  The USA Rice Federation reports attendance of 840, the second highest total on record, and the largest trade show in USA Rice Outlook Conference history with more than 70 booths featuring rice-related equipment, technology, products and services.  Arkansas was the host state for this year's conference and Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson 

welcomed attendees at the opening session.  The program included farm bill implementation, conservation, the Central American market for U.S. rice, trade policy, research, and other issues that affect the outlook for U.S. rice. The 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference will be held December 9-11 in New Orleans, LA.    

For more information, contact USA Rice at (703) 236-2300.  

WASHINGTON, DC -- Representative Michael Conaway (R-TX), the next chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, this week named Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) as Chairman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee.  

 

Crawford is from Arkansas' 1^st Congressional District and is a strong advocate for the U.S. rice industry.  Both Crawford and Conaway received the USA Rice Federation's Friend of the U.S. Rice Industry Award earlier this year.

 

"Congressman Crawford understands the inherent risks associated with farming and the importance of the farm safety net," said Ben Mosely, USA Rice's vice president of government affairs.  "Rice producers in Arkansas and every other rice producing state will be well represented with Mr. Crawford in this leadership role."

 

The Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee has jurisdiction over commodity programs and the federal crop insurance program and was formerly chaired by Rep. Conaway.   

 

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458 

In the story entitled "USA Rice Selects Nicholas Shafer as Scholarship Winner" in the December 10, 2014 issue, Leslie Rogers was incorrectly identified as "Leslie Roberts."  The USA Rice Daily regrets the error.