USA Rice's Sarah Moran (r) and USAID Acting Assistant Administrator Thomas Staal

WASHINGTON, DC -- USA Rice was one of the selected exhibitors at a Capitol Hill celebration yesterday on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Food for Peace program.  Food for Peace has provided life-saving food assistance through the use of in-kind food donations including rice, to more than three billion people in vulnerable communities around the world.  The event was hosted by the Chairmen of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.  House Committee on Agriculture Chair Mike Conaway (R-TX) thanked USA Rice, other attendees, and the American people for their willingness and desire to feed the world's hungry.

"This was an important opportunity for USA Rice to showcase longstanding participation in, and commitment to, the U.S. global feeding programs and to provide information to Congress, USAID, and Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) on the introduction of a new fortified rice product to address hidden hunger," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice president of international promotion.

While the U.S. has made progress in addressing overall hunger, hidden hunger -- in the form of severe micronutrient deficiencies -- remains a major impediment to proper development in many vulnerable communities.  Statistics from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) note that more than two billion people still suffer from hidden hunger.

Fortified rice is the first new product introduced to U.S. global feeding programs as a result of research and testing conducted under the auspices of both USAID and USDA.  Extensive studies have shown that fortified rice is widely accepted by communities worldwide and is effective in addressing some of the most severe deficiencies such as vitamin A and anemia.  

Fortified rice contains levels of iron, thiamin, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, and other B vitamins, formulated in a way that allows for maximum nutrient uptake.  "The look and taste of fortified rice is just like regular milled rice," says Dr. Yi Wu, Chief Innovation Director of the Wright Group, a company that produces fortified rice.  "Recent trials in Cambodia and the historical (in some cases mandatory) use of fortified rice in the Philippines and Costa Rica, have shown both wide scale acceptance of the product and efficiency in nutrient bioavailability to address hidden hunger.  Rice is one of the most consumed foods in the world and through fortification, the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations will be met in an appetizing, culturally-appropriate way."

Fortified rice is now part of USAID's Master List of commodities and it is expected that several PVOs will begin to specify this product in feeding rations in both USDA's McGovern Dole school feeding programs and USAID's Food for Peace programs as a cost effective and culturally appropriate way to address the persistent challenge of hidden hunger. 

Contact:  Sarah Moran (703) 236-1457

USA Rice's Ben Mosely

RAYVILLE, LA -- The Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers' Association hosted its annual rice and soybean field day yesterday at the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter's off-station research plots on the Woodsland Plantation.  The field day was coordinated by LSU AgCenter agricultural agents in the region. 

Farmers and allied rice industry personnel heard reports from researchers on production recommendations including varietal development, insect and disease control, and fertilizer management.  Growers also received an update on production issues observed by AgCenter researchers during the current growing season and the outlook for issues they may face in upcoming seasons.

"Field days like this are one of the best ways for the LSU rice research team to showcase their hard work," said Dr. Steve Linscombe, long-time rice breeder and director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.  "We're always excited to share with growers some of the new varieties on the horizon and how we think they may impact the rice industry."

Following the research demonstrations, attendees assembled at the Rayville Civic Center for soybean-related pest and disease updates. 

The day's program concluded with a policy update from USA Rice's Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely, with an emphasis on 2014 Farm Bill provisions that USA Rice aggressively advocated for such as Supplemental Coverage Option, Price Loss Coverage, and Margin Protection.

"As these new farm bill programs are rolled out, farmers want to know the direct effect on their operations," said Mosely.  "We're working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and their Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency to ensure that these programs work to the best benefit of rice farmers."

Mosely also gave an update on U.S. rice export market conditions, including the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations with Japan, irregular market access in Iraq, and the potential reopening of the Cuban market.

Contact:  Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009

Around the Country

Japanese Foodmaker Prepares to Place a $10M Gamble in West Sacramento 

Sacramento Business Journal

Shinmei Co. Ltd. is finishing construction of an automated factory that will produce rice buns for consumption in the United States.

Meet and Greet Planned in Stuttgart with New Ag Secretary Stuttgart Daily Leader

The Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce will host a meet and greet with Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in Salon B at the Grand Prairie Center.

Rice Sheath Blight Major Disease in Arkansas Crop Delta Farm Press

Prolonged periods of high humidity and high temperatures favor the sheath blight disease to start and progress.

Tariffs and Trade

Trade with Cuba could Affect Missouri's Economy ABC News

Richard Fordyce, with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, said before the 1962 embargo, the number one destination for rice exported from Missouri was to Cuba. He believes the market is still there for that crop and many other resources.