USA Rice Welcomes New Rice Stewardship Partnership Coordinator
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We've got a 'Hankins' for sustainability
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ARLINGTON, VA -- Conservation and sustainability are more than buzz words for the U.S. rice industry and to underscore that commitment to these principles USA Rice has hired Josh Hankins as the new Rice Stewardship Partnership Coordinator. The coordinator position is funded using technical assistance money provided through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant that USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited received earlier this year.
Josh is headquartered in Arkansas and will lead efforts to deliver on-the-ground conservation initiatives, assisting rice producers with increased on-farm energy and nutrient use efficiencies, water and soil conservation, and wildlife management. He will work in close collaboration with the Arkansas Rice Federation and DU's southern region Director of Conservation Programs located in Jackson, Mississippi.
Josh has wide ranging work experience in the fields of agriculture, finance, and medicine. He is the founder and owner of Absolute Wildlife, Inc., a company that specializes in nuisance wildlife control, and he also owns a real estate investment company.
Josh, his wife, Emily, and their two daughters live in Little Rock.
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U.S. Releases Full TPP Text
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released the full text of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) which was concluded on October 5.
"We welcome the release of the TPP text and look forward to examining the rice market access provisions," said USA Rice COO Bob Cummings. "The text is extensive, and we want to verify and understand better the access we've been promised, and to assess the true value of the agreement for the U.S. rice industry."
Today's release of the text is the beginning step in eventual congressional consideration of the TPP. President Obama is required to inform Congress 90 days beforehand of his intention to sign the TPP agreement and reports indicate that notification will occur shortly. Formal congressional consideration awaits the president's signature as well as conclusion of an analysis of the effect of the agreement on the economy by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The USITC has 105 days after the president announces his intention to sign the agreement to complete this analysis.
The earliest that Congress's review could begin is likely March 2016 and many believe that action will not take place until after the November 2016 elections.
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Weekly Rice Sales, Exports Reported
| WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 81,400 MT for 2015/2016 were down 28 percent from the previous week, but up 27 from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report. Increases were reported for Mexico (20,500 MT), Haiti (18,600 MT), Colombia (16,900 MT), unknown destinations (10,100 MT), and Taiwan (6,100 MT).
Exports of 45,500 MT, down 42 percent from the previous week and 39 percent from the prior four-week average, were reported to Mexico (26,500 MT), Japan (12,100 MT), Canada (2,500 MT), South Korea (1,400 MT), and Jordan (1,100 MT).
This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period October 23-29, 2015.
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| CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures | CME Group (Prelim): Closing Rough Rice Futures for November 5
| November 2015 | $12.190 |
+ $0.020
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January 2016
| $12.455 |
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March 2016
| $12.715 |
+ $0.010
| | May 2016 | $12.965 |
+ $0.010
| | July 2016 | $13.205 |
+ $0.015
| | September 2016 | $12.815 |
+ $0.015
| November 2016
| $12.815
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+ $0.015
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In the News
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Around Washington
Critics of federal crop insurance are proposing to cut about $24 billion from the program, far more than what was included in a congressional budget agreement. Bills being introduced in the House and Senate would cut $19 billion over 10 years by eliminating the Harvest Price Option on revenue policies.
The White House hosted a Champions of Change event to recognize leaders who are taking steps to make their operations more sustainable and teaching others how to do the same. Two leaders from the Southeast were honored for their work, including Buddy Allen, a producer in Tunica, Mississippi.
Around the Country
The day before the ceremony in Tunica CGB opened a similar facility in Osceola, Ark. The two elevators are among several that are opening at locations along the Mississippi River north and south of Memphis to avoid traffic congestion in the city.
America will have to replace large numbers of farmers over the next decade because of a continuing wave of retirements - perhaps as many as a million. And many veterans, facing a job market often indifferent to their unusual skill sets, are still having a hard time finding suitable employment in the private sector.
According to researchers from Mississippi State University, rice seeds that are pre-treated with neonicotinoid pesticides yield better than untreated crops and suffer less damage from rice water weevil.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality unanimously approved a revised Water Management Plan on Nov. 4 that keeps more water in the Highland Lakes and uses updated drought data to manage releases downstream.
Tariffs and Trade
After the text's release, the president will notify lawmakers of his intent to sign the trade accord. Obama must then wait 90 days before he can apply his signature and send the agreement to Capitol Hill, under the terms of "fast-track" trade legislation approved by Congress in the spring.
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| Mission Statement | | USA Rice 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 USA Rice.
Copyright © 2015. Please direct comments or questions to the editor or contact name listed for each story. |
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