26th May (Tuesday), 2015 Daily Global Rice E - Newsletter by Riceplus Magazine

Daily Global
Rice
E-Newsletter
Daily Global
Rice e-Newsletter
www.ricepluss.com
www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com
May 26 ,2015
Vol 5,Issue V
5-Year Import Ban on Rice Could Earn Nigeria $2.6bn

Annually
24 May 2015
Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh
By Chineme Okafor in Abuja
www.ricepluss.com & http://www.riceplusmagazine.blogspot.com

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Daily Global Rice e-Newsletter

Former minister of commerce and industry, Charles Ugwuh at the weekend called on Nigeria to
place a five-year import embargo on rice, saying within such timeframe, the country could
concentrate efforts on in-country production, displace imports and save $2.6 billion spent
annually on rice imports.Ugwuh who served under late President Musa YarAdua and was once
president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) stated that during the five-year
period of ban, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) should also be mandated to protect the
nations indigenous rice industry against smuggling.
All hands should be on deck by the financial sector, local distributive trade, all agencies of
government, and all stakeholders to support the national initiative on rice. If we drive this to
success, it would encourage even greater success and confidence to tackle other products and
programmes that are relevant to prosperity and well-being, he said in an interview in
Abuja.We can grow rice and save over $2.6 billion per year we currently spend on rice
imports, Ugwuh stated while insisting that Nigeria could be self-sufficient in rice production.In
his words: We call for a total ban on rice imports for at least five years to enable Nigeria to
bend down and produce its own food with the enormous natural resources and endowments we
have. The nation can be self-sufficient in rice.
We can eliminate food imports and save $9 billion annually on wheat, rice, sugar, and fish.
Nigeria cannot afford to waste such a huge amount and export vital jobs overseas, when massive
unemployment is such a great challenge threatening our national survival.He stated further on
the nations unique potential for rice production: Nigeria has suitable ecology to grow rice
paddy virtually all over the country. With dedication, perseverance and national commitment,
Nigeria can grow and process rice to meet its domestic needs, and indeed, export to other African
countries at least, where a ready market exists for over 15 million tonnes from West through
Central and Southern Africa.Nigeria has been striving hard to grow its capacity in paddy
production and processing through massive investments in production infrastructure: power,
water, irrigation facilities, dams and processing industries and technology
.At this moment, Nigeria has made serious start, but she is yet uncompetitive and needs even
greater investments to compete with other countries in South-east Asia, which have been
producing rice for decades and have evolved a culture of rice at low cost and high yields that are
difficult to match, Ugwuh added.He alleged that: Unfortunately, each time we make earnest
efforts to grow our rice capacity to displace imports, our traditional rice suppliers from South

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East Asia (India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, among others) double up their
efforts through Diaspora merchants to beat us down.
Speaking on the overall impact of this on the Nigerian economy, Ugwuh said: Overall, we bleed
from our economy $4 billion to $5 billion per year on a product that we can well produce with
little effort and determination. From 2008/2009, we embarked on another cycle of investments in
integrated new rice mills, farms, seeds production, infrastructure, and technology and rice
agronomy christened import substitution strategy a component of the Agricultural
Transformation Agenda (ATA).Suddenly, we reversed our policies in May 2014 and allowed
rice merchants parading as investors to dump over two million tonnes of rice on Nigeria between
June 2014 and January 2015. The consequence is a total collapse of the rice market. This was
through legitimate import quota, smuggling and discretional waivers granted by higher
authorities.
Tags: Featured, News, Nigeria, Charles Ugwuh
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/5-year-import-ban-on-rice-could-earn-nigeria-2-6bn-annually/210134/
NFA sees price spike for commercial rice in July

ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 05/26/2015 2:26 PM
MANILA The National Food Authority (NFA) said commercial rice prices may likely increase
by P1-P2 per kilo in the lean months starting July.NFA administrator Renan Dalisay said the
agency is implementing strategies to prevent this traditional upward price adjustment by boosting
rice stock or supply through the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice.Dalisay said he does
not expect prices to go up once there is enough buffer supply.
The NFA is also getting ready for the potential delay in the harvest for the last quarter palay
stock by utilizing the minimum access volume importation by the private sector.Dalisay said
even if only half of the 805,000 metric ton allocation under the minimum access volume is met,
the country will have more than enough rice supply to temper the projected price spikes due to
the delay in harvest.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/26/15/nfa-sees-price-spike-commercial-rice-july

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PH sets June 5 for 250,000 T rice import tender
Reuters
Posted at 05/25/2015 11:14 AM
MANILA - The Philippines' National Food Authority (NFA) has invited Vietnam, Thailand and
Cambodia to a June 5 tender for the supply of 250,000 tonnes of rice, a spokesman for the state
grains procurement agency said on Monday.The country is seeking offers from the governments
of its three neighbours for the supply of the 25-percent broken variety of rice to boost its buffer
stocks ahead of the lean harvest season that begins in July.President Benigno Aquino has also
given the NFA permission to import a further 250,000 tonnes later this year should the droughtinducing El Nino weather phenomenon intensify and damage more crops.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/05/25/15/ph-sets-june-5-250000-t-rice-import-tender
PH rice imports may hit 2.1M MT this year

May 24, 2015 9:17 pm
by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ
THE Philippines rice imports could reach as much as 2.1 million metric tons (MT) this year, the
biggest volume under the Aquino Administration and roughly the same level as in the 2008
global rice crisis, once the government approves the terms of a new trade concession with the
World Trade Organization (WTO).But Presidential Assistant on Food Security and
Modernization (PAFSAM) Secretary Francis Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the
National Food Authority (NFA) Council, said that the government has yet to finalize the terms of
the new trade concession.
The new concession under the so-called minimum access volume (MAV) gives other rice
producing nations market access to about 805,200 MT of rice that the Philippines imports
annually.The new trade commitment was supposed to take effect last year.With the approved
rice imports by the government now hitting 1.3 million MT, the additional volume under the socalled MAV could send the total Philippines rice imports to 2.1 million MT this year.The
MAV decision is still being finalized, Pangilinan said when asked if the NFA had already
adopted the approved MAV on rice.
Special treatment in WTO
Rice is a commodity that has direct linkages to food security, livelihood security and the rural
development needs of millions in developing countries like the Philippines.At present, rice is the
only commodity in the Philippines that enjoys special treatment in the WTO, which excluded the
same from agriculture liberalization.

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Unlike other agricultural products, rice, which is the basic staple grain of the Philippines, was not
tariffied. Instead, rice farmers were protected through the imposition of a quantitative restriction,
which allows only a limited volume of the grain to enter the country.
MAV refers to the minimum volume of farm produce allowed to enter the Philippines at a
reduced tariff of 35 percent, while shipments outside MAV pay higher rates of 50 percent and
would need approval by the NFA.Of the total MAV volume, some 755,000MT will be countryspecific- quota or CSQ (with Vietnam and Thailand getting the bulk), while the remaining
50,000 MT will be omnibus volume.Before, the Philippines only allowed 350,000 MT of rice
imports, of which 163,000 MT were allotted for CSQ and 187,000 MT for omnibus volume that
can be accessed from any country.Manila has historically allowed private sector importation for
rice requirement under MAV.
G2G rice imports
But there will be no private sector participation in the procurement of Manilas buffer rice
requirement as the NFA has opted to conduct a government-to-government bidding.In a
statement issued Friday, the NFA Said that only countries with existing executive agreements
with the Philippines would be allowed to join the G2G tender for the supply of the initial volume
of 250,000 metric tons of rice, which will serve as buffer stocks during the lean months.The
governments of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia will be invited to participate in the G2G
procurement, the agency said.
The NFA also said that it plans to buy well-milled long grain white rice at 25 percent
brokens.The interagency Food Security Committee earlier approved the importation of another
500,000 metric tons of rice this year on expectations that local palay (paddy rice) production will
fall short of target.It also arrived at the decision as rice stocks at government depositors also fell
below the required volume of at least 15-days buffer stock at any given time, and 30-days
buffer stock during lean months.
The NFA said that the importation of 250,000 MT is part of the preparation for the lean months
beginning June and to stabilize rice prices, while the remaining 250,000 MT is on standby in
case there will be significant effects on production brought by El Nio.The Food Security
Committee is chaired by the National Economic Development Authority, with the Department of
Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomic Services Administration, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agriculture, and the NFA as its
members.
http://www.manilatimes.net/ph-rice-imports-may-hit-2-1m-mt-this-year/186165/

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Asian countries told to build up rice stocks soon
Linda Yulisman, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok, Thailand | Business | Mon, May 25 2015, 7:49 AM
Asian countries need to build up rice stocks as global supply may shrink due to growing demand
from major buyers like China and India, which will eventually push up prices, according to
global research house The Rice Trader.China is still not on the pace to meet [annual purchase
of] 4.5 million tons this year, but they will make it. The fact that they now only have 2.2 million
tons suggests that they will buy aggressively, said Jeremy Zwinger, the president and CEO of
the California-based research institute.China, now the worlds-biggest rice buyer, imported 4
million tons of rice last year, up from 3.2 million tons in 2013, according to data from United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The countrys rice imports in 2014 set a new record for a fourth consecutive year. The dramatic
increase rice demand from the worlds most populous nation began in 2007, when imports
increased to more than seven times the average of the previous five years.The Rice Trader also
expects Indian rice stocks to jump to nearly 10 million tons this year. As of early May, Indias
rice stocks had plunged by 22 percent to 22.23 million tons from the previous year, according to
statistics from Food Corporation of India (FCI) issued recently.
Rice Trader data from five rice exporting countries Thailand, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and
the US shows that overseas shipment sin 2014 reached historically high levels at 34.67
million tons, up 12.4 percent from 2013.The potential of a long drought caused by El Nio
would be another factor to watch, as it might pose a significant threat to production, Zwinger
noted.Scientists have warned that the world is on track for another year of record-setting heat,
with temperatures having hit a new high in the first four months of this year. Australias weather
bureau has already declared the major event of El Nio, which is caused by a reversal of trade
winds in the Pacific, causing ocean temperatures to rise.
Apart from bringing unseasonably dry conditions to Australia and India over the next several
months, forecasters have also said El Nio could trigger famine in West Africa. Zwinger said
that over the next several months rice prices would stay at a low level on abundant supplies from
rice-producing countries, particularly Thailand.In the first two months of this year, Thai rice
exports totaled 1.34 million tons, and if the trend is maintained, the countrys rice exports will
reach 8.04 million tons, still much lower than 10.97 million tons exported in 2014, according to
The Rice Trader.Within such a buyers market, Zwinger recommended Asian countries,
including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to buy overseas, as the situation might change
into a sellers market immediately, describing the current situation as atransition moment.

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The price now is very acceptable, especially with the risk that the oil price will go back [up, the
risks of weather we keep seeing and the fact we had many years of lower production, he said
during Thai Rice Convention recently.As of May 15, rice prices from key suppliers followed a
downward trend from the past year. Thais 100 percent grade B rice price, for example, dipped
by 3.75 percent to US$385 per ton, and Indias 5 percent broken rice price declined by 12.05
percent to $365 per ton, according to data compiled by The Rice Trader.
Indonesias state-owned logistics firm Bulog finance director Iryanto Hutagaol, however, said
the government had no immediate plan to import rice, as at present, rice stocks at Bulog
warehouses was sufficient, while production was good. Indonesia, the worlds third-largest rice
consumer, has delayed the planting season, which will extend the harvest season into June from
the normal end period in April. - See more at:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/25/asian-countries-told-build-rice-stockssoon.html#sthash.unNcchHq.dpuf
VN to develop own rice brand

Viet Nam News May 26, 2015 12:03 pm
HANOI - Vietnam is aiming to develop a Vietnamese rice brand that would become the world's
leading rice by 2030, according to a project approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung last
week.The project, to develop a Vietnamese rice brand by 2020 with vision to 2030, seeks to
improve the image recognition of Vietnamese rice and its competitiveness, as well as expanding
market share in the world market and developing a national rice brand, in line with Vietnams
history, culture and tradition.
The strategy to develop a national brand for rice would focus on two issues: identifying qualityconscious markets, such as the US, EU and Japan to export high-quality varieties, and retaining
traditional markets with medium-quality rice.Specifically, by 2030, 50 per cent of the nations
rice is to be exported under Vietnamese brands.The national rice brand would be protected in
Vietnam and at least 50 other countries by 2020. Also, regional rice brand names would be
developed and protected, based upon distributing products that are typical to a region.
Five key sub-projects to be implemented within the framework includes building and managing a
national rice brand name; developing a national rice brand name for major rice products of Cuu
Long (Mekong) Delta region; protecting brand and supporting firms in registering for brand
protection; promoting Vietnamese rice brands, and boosting exports and expanding markets.The
project highlighted the role of enterprises in building and developing Vietnamese rice brand

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names through developing their own brands and rice products and participating in the global
value chain.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/VN-to-develop-own-rice-brand-30260937.html
Vietnam's key rice harvest seen flat at 13.5 mln T -govt

Tue May 26, 2015 1:47am GMT
HANOI May 26 (Reuters) - Vietnam has harvested an estimated 13.5 million tonnes of winterspring paddy from its southern region, incorporating the Mekong Delta food basket, nearly
unchanged from last year, the Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday.Production eased slightly
from 13.56 million tonnes harvested in a similar crop in 2014 due to lower yields, the ministry
said in a monthly report. The Mekong Delta produces 90 percent of Vietnam's rice exports.Stable
output while rice shipments from Vietnam, the world's third-largest exporter of the grain after
India and Thailand, have dropped around 11 percent so far this year could keep downward
pressure on export prices in coming months. (Reporting by Ho Binh Minh; Editing by Joseph
Radford)
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3N0YH18R20150526
Thailand/Vietnam: Vietnam's rice exports drop as Thailand

offloads overstocks
5/26/2015
Thai News Service
Vietnam's rice exports have struggled to compete with cheaper shipments from Thailand in the
first four months of 2015 as the Thai government has sought to offload inventories at highly
discounted prices.As a result, a representative of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) said the
country's exports to highly price sensitive markets such as those in Africa could fall by as much
as 60% from the figures in 2014.Lower exports are resulting in more rice remaining in
Vietnamese miller's and farmers inventories, piling pressure on already-bulging storage and
raising the spectre of grainspoiling in temporary silos.
The Thai government began executing a subsidized scheme earlier this year in which it plans to
sell 10 million tonnes of broken rice in 2015 and an additional seven million tonnes in 2016 at
prices substantially below market prices.As one example, the Thai government in March sold 5%

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broken rice from its inventories at around US$236 to US$378 per tonne compared to the global
market price of US$405 per tonne.
A representative of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, who declined to be identified, in turn
justified the programme by saying that the government's rice is old and has been stored for a long
time so its value has depreciated (Reuters).There is always a large price gap between new rice
and old rice, the official said.The nation's rice industry can compete with private Thai traders, but
not with the Thai government as it slashes prices to bolster demand for old low quality stock,
said a VFA representative.In the four months leading up to May, Vietnam's riceexports dipped
12.73% in volume and 16.37% in value on-year to 1.686 million tonnes valued at US$707
million according to VFA statistics.
In addition to lower export prices and fierce competition with Thailand, in 2015,
Vietnam exporters are at risk of shrinking markets in other countries, particularly the Chinese
market.China has been the largest importer of Vietnam's rice for the past three years. In 2014
alone, Vietnam exported 2.1 million tonnes of rice to China, accounting for 30% of the
nation's export market.However, Vietnam's rice exports to China during 2015 are likely to see a
substantial decline as the Chinese government diversifies its import strategy to increase
riceimport quota from multiple sources.
To address the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Hai has asked the VFA in collaboration with
relevant government offices and those in the private sector to develop specific marketing plans
for each foreign market.In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the parties to lay out a
scheme to restructure production and shift rice cultivation areas to planting crops with higher
profit margins.
Hai said for 2014 Vietnam rice cultivation area stood at around 7.6 million hectares with an
estimated production of around 43.4 million tonnes of paddy rice. Rice production exceeds
consumption, but the country importstonnes of soybeans and corn annually.The government will
guide farmers to shift to crops to soybeans, corn or other crops that will help them improve their
overall profits, Hai stressed. - VOV
http://www.world-grain.com/news/news%20home/LexisNexisArticle.aspx?articleid=2371497495

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Vietnamese rice brand name to be popularized in global
market
The Prime Minister has just approved the project to develop Vietnamese rice brand name by
2020 with a vision to 2030.The project is targeted to boost Vietnamese rices added value,
market share and competition to the worlds markets.Vietnam will strive to popularize the
national rice brand name by 2020 and introduce Vietnamese brand name for rice to at least 20
export markets.By 2030, the country will bring the national rice brand name to be the leading
one across over the world about its quality and food safety.
In order to reach its target, the government will implement programs to develop local rice brand
names and launch preferential policies to support enterprises using the national rice brand
name.Besides, the government will select three high quality rice products in the Mekong delta
region to improve to be local rice brand names which toward becoming the leading national rice
brand name.
Lam Nguyen Translated by M.Quyen
http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Business/2015/5/113849/
Cambodia invited for Philippine rice tender

Mon, 25 May 2015
May Kunmakara
Cambodia has been invited by the Philippines to bid for a 250,000 tonne rice tender in June to
boost the latters rice buffer stock during the lean months of July to September.Philippines
National Food Authority has been tasked with issuing a tender in June for the import of 25 per
cent broken rice via a government-to-government deal, with delivery expected to be betweenJuly
and August. Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are eligible for this tender as they already have
import contracts with the Philippines.Song Saran, chairman of Amru Rice (Cambodia),
confirmed the invitation to bid for the Filipino rice tender but said that the Kingdom was not
ready to partake in the bidding currently.
In my opinion, Cambodia cannot join the tender this year. Cambodia needs at least two years to
have enough capacity to compete and supply to the Philippines, he said.He said several pressing
issues, like the lack of paddy rice stock, high production costs and transportation fees, need to be
addressed before Cambodia can make a competitive bid.The Philippines demand is for supply
of a big volume in a short period, he said. Cambodia does not have enough paddy rice to mill
and export to the Philippines.

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David Van, adviser to the Cambodia Rice
Federation, told the Post in early April that
Cambodian agricultural products had good
potential in the Philippines. However, he added
that there were challenges to increasing
exports.Cambodia could eventually succeed in
bidding for future Filipino rice tenders, should
the tenders be segregated into smaller orders
tonnage wise. But we still need to improve our
shipping costs and services [directly] to Filipino
ports or via transshipment in Vietnam, Van said.
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/cambodia-invited-phlippine-rice-tender
Belarus, Pakistan sign contracts worth $42m

25 May 2015 12:06 | Economy
Mikhail Myatlikov
ISLAMABAD, 25 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Pakistan signed contracts worth $42 million on
the first day of a visit of a Belarusian business delegation to Islamabad, BelTA has learned. On
25 May the Pakistani capital is hosting the Pakistan-Belarusian business and investment forum.
On behalf of Belarus the forum is attended by representatives of 25 companies working in the
field of oil refining, agriculture, engineering, medicine, chemicals, light industry, and also
commercial enterprises. On behalf of Pakistan the forum is attended by representatives of 60
companies.The Belarusian President's upcoming visit to Pakistan has already given an impetus to
the development of bilateral relations, as can be seen by the documents which have been signed
already, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhail Myatlikov
told reporters.
We wanted to bring business, introduce Belarusian companies who are here for the first time to
partners in Pakistan, Mikhail Myatlikov said.For the past eight years, the volume of BelarusPakistan trade has hovered around $50-120 million per year. Pakistan is one of the key markets
for Belarusian tractors outside the CIS. Annual supplies make up 3,000-4,000 units.Mikhail
Myatlikov expressed confidence that the range of engineering products in Pakistan will be
expanded because the Belarusian delegation in Islamabad includes heads of the companies
producing the full range of attachments for tractors and agricultural machinery, which can be in
demand in the local market.In addition to tractors Belarus' major exports to Pakistan also include
potash fertilizers, synthetic fibers, and tires. From Pakistan Belarus imports rice, fruit, food,
leather and textile.Talks between representatives of the business communities of Belarus and
Pakistan will continue on 26 May at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tomorrow will
bring new results, Mikhail Myatlikov said.
http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/Belarus-Pakistan-sign-contracts-worth-42m_i_82006.html

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Phytosanitary Deal with China Still Not Complete
Chinese Border Guard
"No U.S. rice past this point...yet."
WASHINGTON, DC - A phytosanitary agreement

between the United States and China that would clear the
way for U.S.-grown rice to start flowing into China has
been in the works for almost a decade, but a final
agreement continues to elude negotiators. Earlier this
year, after lengthy negotiations on a technical level, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sent their Chinese
counterparts, the General Administration of Quality
Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), what
many thought would be a final - or close to final - agreement.
However, AQSIQ sent back a modified agreement that includes provisions not seen in any such
agreement entered into between the U.S. and any other country. APHIS has sent AQSIQ a
request for clarification on some of these requirements in the hopes of moving the final
agreement along."Some think the U.S. should just sign the agreement and work out problems
later, but our past experience tells us APHIS is right to get answers from the Chinese now, rather
than to try to correct a bad deal after the fact," said Jim Guinn, USA Rice's vice president of
international promotion.
"This market is big enough and potentially important enough that the agreement needs to be
done right the first time around."Guinn says USA Rice will remain engaged with APHIS as they
attempt to open the rice trade between the U.S. and China, continue the regular consultation with
rice industry growers and the exporters who will do the business once the market opens, and
direct promotion efforts and relationship-building in China for the time when an agreement is
finally reached.
Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458
Crop Progress: 2015 Crop 93 Percent Planted
WASHINGTON, DC -- Ninety-three percent of the nation's 2015 rice acreage is planted, according to today's U.S.

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Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress Report.
Rice Planted, Selected States

Week Ending
May
24, 2014
State
May 17,
2015
May 24,
2015
2010-2014
average
Percent
Arkansas
94
89
92
92
California
88
90
98
84
Louisiana
99
98
99
99
Mississippi
90
93
94
90
Missouri
94
75
78
90
Texas
98
79
84
98
Six States
94
89
93
92
CME Group/Closing Rough Rice Futures

CME Group (Preliminary): Closing Rough Rice Futures for May 26
Month
Price
Net Change
July 2015
$9.420
- $0.010
September 2015
$9.695
- $0.010
November 2015
$9.950
- $0.010

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January 2016
$10.210
- $0.010
March 2016
$10.275
- $0.010
May 2016
$10.275
- $0.010
July 2016
$10.275
- $0.010
USA Rice Federation
Louisiana corn, soybeans hampered by rains

Some young rice struggling
May 22, 2015Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter | Delta Farm Press
WATER REMAINS on portions of a soybean field at the South Farm of the LSU AgCenter Rice
Research Station in Crowley. Frequent heavy rains have created potential problems for some
areas of soybean production in Louisiana, and saturated ground over much of the state is creating
drainage problems for row crops. (LSU AgCenter photo by Bruce Schultz)

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Heavy rains have caused problems for some Louisiana soybean
and corn farmers, especially in the north part of the state where a
storm system brought as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas in
the one week, but sugarcane and rice are not as affected by the
weather, according to LSU AgCenter experts.Ron Levy, LSU
AgCenter soybean specialist, said some fields of young soybeans
have been too wet.
We may have some losses and have to replant.He said he talked with a north Louisiana farmer
who had 7 inches of rain. With that much rain, it fills up all the ditches and drainage areas, so it
takes longer for the water to run off.Levy said some farmers have been waiting to plant, but the
excess moisture makes that difficult.Delayed planting will probably mean yields will be affected,
he said. Were already to a point where well see yields drop off.A late-planted soybean crop
faces more stress from intense summer heat and more disease and insect pressure, Levy said.In
southwest Louisiana, as much as a third of the soybean crop may have to be replanted, said
Barrett Courville, LSU AgCenter county agent in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes.
Saturated soil
Many fields where beans are up have excess moisture. The soil is so saturated that theyre not
growing, Courville said.The wet ground is delaying farmers from getting into the fields to spray
herbicides, Courville said. But some areas havent received much rain, and the fields are ready to
be planted.Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist, said the corn benefits from the rain as
long as the fields are not flooded.
Were in the rapid growth stage right now.Some fields hit by high winds had lodged corn, he
said. Corn will suffer from a lack of oxygen in fields with waterlogged soil. Corn farmers had to
deal with excess moisture during planting in March and April.Cotton in Louisiana is 80 to 90
percent planted, but flooding for that commodity is not good for the crop, he said.Donna Lee,
LSU AgCenter county agent in East Carroll Parish, and Keith Collins, county agent in Richland
Parish, said water from recent heavy rains appear to have drained, but low-lying areas have
standing water. Additional rain this week resulted in wetter fields.We were needing rain, but we
didnt need 4 and 5 inches, Lee said. Now we need sunny weather.

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Cool weather
She said the cotton, corn, soybeans and milo she has seen in northeast Louisiana look good so
far. But cool weather that came on May 21 could slow plant growth.The most susceptible crops
were those that are small, said Collins.He said some fields of young soybeans were underwater
and that could affect those crops. Some fields may need to be replanted, he said.Sugarcane is not
as affected by heavy rains now, said Kenneth Gravois, LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist. At
this stage, cane is pretty resilient.He said sugarcane farmers have made herbicide and fertilizer
applications.
It would be better if it were a bit drier, but going into the summer with good moisture is good.
Overall prospects for the crop continue to look good, Gravois said.Even though rice thrives in a
wet environment, the frequent rainfall has caused problems for rice farmers.In a lot of places,
farmers are struggling to get done whats needed in the fields, said Dustin Harrell, LSU
AgCenter rice specialist.He said landing strips for airplanes have been too wet to use for
midseason nitrogen fertilizer applications. Flying services are using hard-surfaced runways,
which are often several miles from a field, and the extra distance is resulting in higher fees, he
said.
Rice struggling
He said young rice is struggling, and an early outbreak of leaf blast disease has been found.Don
Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, said frequent rains have made ideal conditions for
blast.The rain has increased the probability of each spore being successful in infecting a plant
that it lands on. Then the lesions that form can produce more spores due to the moisture, Groth
said.The heavy rainfall also is affecting pastures. Grazing conditions are good, but fields for hay
production have been too wet, according to Vince Deshotel, LSU AgCenter county agent and
Central Region beef cattle coordinator.We certainly need a break to get things done in the
field, Deshotel said.
Even if hay producers are able to get into their fields for cutting grass, the wet conditions wont
allow hay to dry for baling.Probably everybody is a month behind, he said. As a hay producer
myself, I typically have a cutting done by now.The wet conditions are also setting the stage for
potential cattle health problems. Deshotel said the high mosquito population will stress cattle,
and muddy ground could cause hoof problems and an increase in parasites.

17

http://deltafarmpress.com/soybeans/louisiana-corn-soybeans-hampered-rains
Rice update: planting progress, armyworms, DD50 sign-up

Wet weather slows planting
May 22, 2015Arkansas Extension Service | Delta Farm Press
Arkansas
Extension's
Jarrod
Hardke, rice agronomist, and
Scott Stiles, economist, have
written a report on the current
condition of the state's rice.
Among their findings:"Progress
slowed over the past week with
the return of wet weather. Private
estimates now peg Arkansas rice
acres at 1.425 million, down from
1.441 forecast by USDA in March (and 1.45 by me at the same point). Given conditions and the
current outlook somewhere at 1.3-1.4 million acres looks about right for a final planted
acreage. There are no certainties at this point and those final reported acreage estimates are still a
long way off."
Read the full report.
http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/rice-update-planting-progress-armyworms-dd50-sign
4-H program deepens students understanding of science in

ag
Nancy Madsen/The Free Press
Science in ag
Brian Prchal, left, describes how the biodiesel engine he created compares to regular diesel in a
one-cylinder engine April 24 in Montgomery, Minn., as Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm watch.
The students are participating in 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge through the University of
Minnesota Extension Service.
Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 1:00 am
By NANCY MADSEN, The Free Press

18

NEW PRAGUE, Minn. Brian and Anna Prchal and Tyler Fromm are teenagers making and
using biodiesel. Theyre also part of a possible solution for a growing need for employees in
agriculture.There are 25,700 new jobs for management and business in agriculture and 14,600
new jobs in agriculture and science engineering each year, according to a U.S. Department of
Agriculture analysis of job figures. The gap between expected job openings and agriculture and
related fields graduates is roughly 1,000 each year.For junior high and high school students, 4H involvement could lead to college, university or even trade school and an ag-related job, said
Josh Rice, who runs the science of agriculture programming at University of Minnesota
Extension.
Agricultural awareness is a very important piece of this. There are ag jobs out there and its not
just production agriculture. It can be marketing, processing, distribution and even social
science.Minnesota is the first state to start a 4-H Science of Agriculture Challenge, which is a
team competition showing science and engineering understanding. The teams have three or four
members between grades six and 12 who share a common interest. A coach guides them through
the scientific or engineering process. The teams also meet with a mentor from the industry, who
gives guidance and an inside view of an agricultural career.Brian and Anna Prchal of
Montgomery and their cousin Tyler Fromm of New Hope teamed up to work on biodiesel. Jodi
Prchal, Brian and Annas mother and a fifth-grade teacher, is their coach.Brian created biodiesel
from used fryer oil at a local restaurant. He describes the process in detail on how to transform
that oil into fuel.You can burn straight filtered vegetable oil in a diesel engine, but it gums up
the engine, Brian said.
After filtering it, the major step in the process was carefully combining the oil with methanol and
potassium hydroxide, which separates the fatty acids from the glycerin, which settles to the
bottom. The fatty acids bond with methanol to transform the molecules into biodiesel. That is
followed by washing the biodiesel with water to cause even more separation, leaving a
transparent light orange liquid.Jodi Prchal says the critical moment came when they tried it in an
engine. Brian had bought a single-cylinder, nine horsepower diesel engine and it ran smoothly on
the biodiesel.Brians goal, he said, is to be able to have a diesel truck and run it on his own
biodiesel.Ive always been really interested in renewable energy, he said.He made 1 liter of
biodiesel for this project but wants a setup that will allow him to make 30 gallons at a time with
less intervention.
It would cost 70 cents a gallon if you do it right versus $4 per gallon of diesel, when diesel was
high, Brian said. He tested the efficiency and the acidity of the biodiesel against
diesel.Biodiesel is not as efficient as conventional diesel, he said. But the pollutants were far
less. The pH didnt go up a lot. Diesel has some sulfur in the exhaust, so biodiesel is better for
the environment.Annas and Tylers projects branch off of Brians. Anna tested his biodiesel
against kerosene and ethanol for pollutants and energy. She created a calorimeter by suspending
a pop can with some water over burners of biodiesel, ethanol and kerosene. She judged
pollutants by burning the fuels inside a cylinder with a coffee filter covering the top end.The
kerosene had the most soot, I was in the basement and there was soot all over, Anna said.

19

Ethanol had nothing and biodiesel had some
spots. Kerosene had the highest temperatures,
then ethanol and biodiesel. The better option
would be ethanol than biodiesel.Tyler
researched fuels and talked to professionals.
After sharing the research with Brian and Anna,
he tested the wear of engines when using regular
diesel and biodiesel.The biodiesel was better
for wear, he said.The three have all been
around farms their whole lives and have been
involved in 4-H, frequently competing at the
Minnesota State Fair.
The team has been working on the project since October. In June, theyll give a presentation to a
panel of judges. Questions from the judges will follow the presentations.Thats what highlights
the deeper learning thats taken place, Rice said. There has been a lot of time that the youth
have been engaged in active learning.There are 14 teams competing for scholarships $1,000
for each teammate for first, $750 for second and $500 for third.The scholarships can be used at
any accredited trade school, college or university, for any major because, Rice said, Any college
major that we talk about, we can make a connection to agriculture.
Students are also eligible to participate each year from sixth grade to high school graduation,
even if they have already won one or multiple scholarships.After getting the feedback from the
trial year, Rice said he hopes to more than double the number of teams next year.Over the next
five years, were hoping for a national program, Rice said. Once other states offer the same
program, there may be a national contest.But, at the basic level, the program may attract young
people to science and engineering fields, deepen their understanding, allow them to take more
advanced science classes in high school, and eventually lead to the qualified employees that
agricultural businesses know theyre going to need.
This could potentially change what agriculture looks like, Rice said. This can help students
know they have the capability of being scientists and engineers.On Team Prchal-Fromm, thats
already understood.Brian knows hes going to double major in mechanical and agricultural
engineering at college in the fall. His sister, in eighth grade, knows she wants to work with
animals or the environment. And Tyler, also in eighth grade, wants to work for the Department
of Natural Resources.Brian joked, Thats just because you want to fish and get paid for it.Tyler
shrugged and said, That would be great.
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/trivalley_dispatch/farm_and_ranch/h-program-deepensstudents-understanding-of-science-in-ag/article_961edf5a-03db-11e5-93a0-87ae4d3a7166.html

20
APEDA India (News)

Market Watch
Commodity-wise, Market-wise Daily Price on 25-05-2015
Domestic Prices
Unit Price : Rs per Qty
Product
Market Center
Variety
Min Price
Max Price
Bargarh (Orissa)
Other
2100
2300
Dhing (Assam)
Fine
2800
3100
Taliamura (Tripura)
Other
2500
2700
Amirgadh (Gujarat)
Other
1250
1755
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
1450
1600
Rudrapur(Uttrakhand)
Other
1450
1511
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
3400
3600
Sirhind(Punjab)
Other
3000
4200
Mechua(West Bengal)
Other
2500
3100
Aroor (Kerala)
Other
2600
2800
Bonai (Orissa)
Other
2000
2000
Shillong(Maharashtra)
Other
1000
1300
Rice
Wheat
Mousambi
Cabbage
Source:agra-net
For more info

21

Egg
Rs per 100 No
Price on 25-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Price
Ahmedabad
306
Mysore
345
Hyderabad
281
Source: e2necc.com
Other International Prices
Unit Price : US$ per package

Price on 22-05-2015
Product
Market Center
Origin
Variety
Low
High
Package: 40 lb cartons
Potatoes
1
Atlanta
Georgia
Yellow
19
20
Chicago
Mexico
Yellow
23
26
Dallas
Peru
Yellow
25
25
Cucumbers
Package: cartons film wrapped
Atlanta
Canada
Long Seedless
8.50
9.50
Dallas
California
Long Seedless
12.50
13
Detroit
Canada
Long Seedless
10
Apples
Package: cartons tray pack
Atlanta
Virginia
Red Delicious
16
16
Chicago
Washington
Red Delicious
12
14
Detroit
Washington
Red Delicious
19
20.50
Source:USDA

22

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