WASHINGTON, DC -- Area planted for rice in 2015 is expected to total 2.92 million acres, 24,000 less than 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service's Prospective Plantings report released yesterday.  Planted acreage is forecast lower for Arkansas and California, higher for Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri, and essentially the same as last year for Texas. Mississippi rice farmers may realize the largest percentage increase in planted acres this year, up 10 percent from 2014.

The USDA report is based on information supplied to USDA by growers, and though generally accurate within 5 percent, actual planted acres could vary.  The Rice Acreage Report, based on actual planted acres, will be published at the end of June.

Conservation matters

WASHINGTON, DC -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $332 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) accepts ACEP applications on a rolling basis, but to receive funding in fiscal year 2015 you must submit by May 15, 2015.

ACEP was authorized as a part of the 2014 farm bill and consolidated the existing Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).  The streamlined program focuses on two types of easements: Agricultural Land Easements that prevent agricultural land from being converted to non-agricultural uses and help to ensure the integrity of productive farm and ranch land; and, Wetland Reserve Easements that restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of an easement.  Both categories include four easement options: permanent easements, 30-year easements, term easements, and 30-year contracts for land owned by Native American tribes.

To learn about ACEP and other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or your local USDA Service Center.

Contact:  Ben Mosely (703) 236-1471

Filling station of the future?

PALO ALTO, CA -- Stocks of electric car maker Tesla were sent surging last week, driving up the company's market capitalization by four percent, when reclusive billionaire CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the company would unveil a new product at the end of April.  Wild speculation about the new invention ensued, and USA Rice Daily has uncovered tweets from a Special Projects Manager, Ryce Husk, that hint at the investing being a rice-powered car capable of travelling up to 50 miles per half cup serving.

"The car runs on long grain, but you get better rice mileage when you use short grain for trips of under 25 miles, or medium grain for trips between 25 and 75 miles," read one tweet.

Other tweets indicate that road tests are behind schedule because the smell of cooking rice is "delicious, and the drivers keep eating the fuel."

USA Rice will continue to monitor developments and add a Motor Vehicles Department as necessary.

Contact:  April Fools (703) 555-2300

Around Washington

USDA Earmarks $332 Million for Conservation Easements Agri-Pulse

In addition to protecting wildlife habitat and the ecological productivity of working lands, ACEP easements contribute to the long-term viability of the nation's food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses, USDA said.

Around the Country

Rice Growers to Plant Crop Despite Water Purchase Offers Capital Press

California farmers told the National Agricultural Statistics Service they intend to seed rice on 408,000 acres, or 6 percent below the acreage seeded in 2014.

U.S. Drought Monitor: California USDA

State drought map: Short-term moisture has been somewhat more plentiful in northern California, though even areas north of Sacramento are dealing with significant long-term precipitation deficits (70-75 percent of normal over the past three years) that will take considerable time to erase.

Tariffs and Trade

Japan Calls on Obama to Step Up Personal Involvement in TPP Deal Financial Times

The rare direct appeal by Akira Amari, the Japanese minister responsible for the talks, shows how nerves on both sides of the Pacific are fraying as the effective deadline for a deal draws close.