1st june ,2017 daily global regional & local rice e newsletter

Daily Global Rice

E-Newsletter

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June 1,2017 Vol 8 Issue VI

Today Rice News Headlines...  Ramadan Kareem  Govt authorizes rice imports of 250,000 MT  Help Us Honor Rice Industry Leaders  U.S. rice prices could be headed higher in 2017-18  An experiment turned Canadian farmers into cooking oil kings  Culver's guests contribute more than $50,000 for ag ed  It's Raining Rice Seeds!  Cuba Policy Changes Would Benefit AR Rice Farmers  Delta Farm Press  Rice: Nitrogen fertilization in uncertain times  Price of Thai rice reaches 425 US dollars per ton on global market  Monsoon rains hit India's southern coast, to spur growth  Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUN 01, 2017  After spectacular onset, monsoon may hold strong for three more days  Cuba Policy Changes Would Benefit AR Rice Farmers  NFA OKs private rice imports

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News Detail...

Ramadan Kareem

By Hartwig Schmidt

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA & AMMAN, JORDAN - During the Holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day. After sundown, they partake in large family feasts that feature riceheavy traditional Arabic dishes. Rice consumption in the Muslim world always spikes during the observance, which is why USA Rice steps up promotions to increase awareness prior to the start of the holiday. This year, USA Rice partnered with local U.S. rice brands here to spread both the messages and the costs.

"It's important for U.S. brands to be prominent around Ramadan as last year there was a dramatic increase in U.S. rice sales to Saudi Arabia from the month prior to Ramadan," said USA Rice Vice President International Hugh Maginnis. "Consumers are looking for high quality rice to use for special dishes prepared for Iftar, the daily breaking of the fast, and a donation to the poor, called Zakat that often includes a box of food. We find that brand choices made at Ramadan tend to carry through the rest of the year."

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The USA Rice pre-Ramadan media campaign throughout the Middle East included print advertising in Laha Magazine, the leading magazine in the Arab world with more than one million print and digital subscribers. Advertisements were placed in a special "pre-Ramadan cooking booklet" that consumers tend to keep throughout the year.

In Saudi, outdoor advertising promotions were posted on LED screens at prime locations, including a giant tower advertisement on one of the largest LED screens in the world.

In Jordan, advertising featuring local U.S. rice brands was placed on billboards throughout Amman, the capital city, as well as in other major metropolitan areas, in addition to ads that ran on "The Rose Show," a popular broadcast on Watar Radio.

"These promotions help U.S. rice brands increase recognition, awareness, and sales, and contribute to the positive feelings foreign consumers have about U.S. commodities and our country as a whole," said Maginnis.

Govt authorizes rice imports of 250,000 MT posted May 31, 2017 at 09:05 pm by Anna Leah E. Gonzales

The National Food Authority Council on Wednesday approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice through private suppliers to boost the country‟s buffer stock for the lean season.

“The NFAC approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons through open tender,” NFA spokesperson Marietta Ablaza told Manila Standard.

“The import committee will still meet for the approval of the terms of reference of the bidding of the said quantity,” Abalaza said.

Ablaza said the ToR would be presented to the NFA Council for approval and publication.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco earlier said the council approved the rice importation by NFA via government-to-private scheme to augment the agency‟s buffer stock in the lean months of July to September.

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Evasco said the NFA was shifting from government-to-government importation to governmentto-private shipments because the latter would be more competitive, less corrupt and transparent.

Instead of limiting the bidders to government counterparts, private suppliers from participating countries may now be allowed to participate in the bidding, making the whole process covered by the Government Procurement Reform Act, unlike the G2G scheme.

“We have to make drastic changes in order to ensure a corrupt free and competitive bidding process at the NFA. Hence instead of doing a G2G, the council will push for a G2P to increase accountability and transparency. While the G2G is exempt from the Government Procurement Reform Act, G2P is not,” said Evasco.

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council requires the NFA to maintain a rice buffer stock that is good to last for 15 days at any given time and for 30 days at the onset of the lean months. At present, the country‟s daily consumption rate requirement is 32,720 metric tons or 654,600 bags.

The lean months is a period of low or zero harvest, thus buffer stock requirement is doubled to ensure that the government has enough to supply the needs of calamity victims anywhere across the country.

NFA rice stocks are prepositioned from surplus to deficit at calamity prone areas within two months prior on the onset of the lean months. http://manilastandard.net/business/csr-mining/238166/govt-authorizes-rice-imports-of-250-000-mt.html

Help Us Honor Rice Industry Leaders

By Vicky Boyd OLIVE BRANCH, MS -- Do you know a rice producer who not only is good in the field but devotes countless hours to industry issues? Or maybe it's a rice industry representative, such as a university researcher or county agent, who goes above and beyond the call of duty.Would you like to recognize someone who has devoted his or her life to bettering the rice industry? You can do so through the 2017 Rice Awards program, sponsored by Rice Farming magazine along with Horizon Ag and USA Rice.

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Winners will be recognized during the luncheon awards ceremony at the Rice Outlook Conference, December 10-12, in San Antonio, Texas. They also will be featured in a special section of the December issue of Rice Farming magazine.

Rice Farmer of the Year: Must farm at least 200 acres of rice and be active in the rice industry. Richard Fontenot of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was the 2016 Rice Farmer of the Year.

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Rice Industry Award: A researcher, Extension employee, government/association leader, etc... who has demonstrated commitment to the rice industry through innovative practices, industry association, community involvement/development. Last year's recipient was Dr. Steve Linscombe, a rice breeder and Southwest Center director with the LSU AgCenter.

Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: An industry leader who has provided great contributions that have advanced the rice industry. Last year, Gary Sebree, a rice grower near Stuttgart, Arkansas, was recognized for his decades of industry leadership.

Download the entry form by clicking here. Deadline to submit entries is June 15. Award winners will be contacted later this summer. DISCOVER:

U.S. rice prices could be headed higher in 2017-18 U.S. and world rice supplies are tightening, leading to the possibility of higher rice prices in 2017-18, economist notes.

Forrest Laws | May 31, 2017 U.S. rice producers could see higher prices for their 2017 crops – and itâ€&#x;s not mainly because of the losses due to the flooding that occurred in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana and California in late April and early May.

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The die was already cast for lower rice supplies – and, thus, potentially higher U.S. prices – before unusually heavy rains in central Missouri caused rivers to leave their banks and flood nearly 200,000 acres in the northern Arkansas rice belt.“The long-grain rice price forecast is up about $1 per hundredweight – around $9.70 to $10.70,” says Nathan Childs, who follows the U.S. and world rice markets for USDA‟s Economic Research Service in Washington. “This is based on without factoring in the flooding that occurred in Missouri and Arkansas.”

Dr. Childs, an agricultural economist with the USDA-ERS, was one of the speakers for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Rice Outlook Webinar on May 25. (To view Dr. Childs‟ presentation, click on https://youtu.be/D9CjbB4CU_Q. “You can see prices have been dropping, dropping for a while,” said Dr. Childs, referring to a chart showing season-average prices for long and medium grain rice going back to the 1990s.

“But now we‟re beginning to see tighter supplies in this country and in some other parts of the world.”

No shortage of rice That doesn‟t mean there will be shortages of rice anytime soon. Although global rice production is expected to decline 250,000 tons to 481.5 million tons on a milled basis, 2017-18 global rice supplies are projected to be a record 599.9 million tons, which would be up 2.6 million tons from 2016-17.

“I look at the all rice ending stocks, and, as I said earlier, we came off three years of abnormally high global ending stocks with high stocks-to-use ratios of 24 percent to 25 percent,” he said.

“That‟s too high.”

The stocks-to-use has come down and is projected to fall below 20 percent in the 2017-18 marketing year. “We have a lot of rice,” said Dr. Childs. “Historically, we've said around 13 or 14 percent was a more desirable long-term stocks-to-use ratio.”

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The U.S. crop was already forecast to be down about 10 percent on a metric-ton basis in 2017 before the flooding began having an impact in the Mid-South, including the states of Arkansas and Louisiana, and in California.

USDA‟s National Agricultural Statistics Service was forecasting U.S. rice plantings would be down 17 percent in its March 31 Planting Intentions Report. (The forecast was for 2.63 million acres with most of the decline in the South and a slight decrease in California. Arkansas and Mississippi producers indicated the biggest declines.)

Prices in decline “Prices at planting this year, say in March, were declining so U.S. long-grain rough prices were declining,” said Dr. Childs. “They have been rising in the last few weeks because weather is a big factor, but they were declining.”

In contrast, prices for soybeans, the main alternative crop in the Delta, were rising at the time.

“And in March, the U.S. carryout for the 2016-17 rice crop was the highest in more than 30 years. Now it's not as high now. We've dropped it a little.”

Meanwhile, total supplies are still projected the second highest on record. “So when farmers were looking at 2017-18 they saw declining long-grain prices, big carryout, big supplies but not record and higher prices for alternative crops.”

The weather and uncertainty in portions of the U.S. Rice Belt have altered that outlook somewhat, but the U.S. still faces record supplies in the rest of the world where it exports about half its rice crop. Dr. Childs reviewed the situation in a number of rice-producing countries.

“Egypt, not a huge producer but a major exporter of medium-grain rice, is down about 17 percent due to contraction of area, tight water supplies, more restrictions on area and also alternative crops that are more profitable,” he said.

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Normal yield for India India could be down 500,000 tons, which sounds like a lot but is actually closer to a normal yield for that country. “Although it should be down about a half million tons, it's still a bumper crop,” Dr. Childs said.

South Korea will be down in area and yield. “Area has been dropping in South Korea for well over two decades,” he said.

In other countries where supplies may be down: 

Madagascar is having bad weather – drought in one region, flooding in another, so the crop will be down.



Japan down with continued area decline that's probably been occurring more than 30 years.



Indonesia down slightly on smaller area but not much.



Brazil, the crop is projected down but the area is expected slightly higher. “They will have a better second crop and some pastureland might go to more rice,” he said. “We view a more normal yield than last year's yield, which was abnormally high.”



Burma down a little. A normal yield with no change in area.



Cuba, drought, weather problems in the Caribbean, down around 63,000 tons or a decrease of almost 15 percent.

Looking at areas with increases in production, Sri Lanka is expected to see recovery of lost yield.

“It's a record crop in Sri Lanka, big recovery,” said Dr. Childs. “It had drought and flooding last year. One crop was impacted badly by drought and the other by flooding but Sri Lanka bounces back by 950,000 tons or 40.4 percent.”

Thailand is recovering from severe drought, which is helping restore Thailand to its position as the world's No. 1 or 2 exporting country and a large producer. Production is forecast to be up 900,000 tons or 4.8 percent.

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China production up slightly China‟s production is up by 150,000 tons, a record, but by a small amount. “That's a minor increase,” he said. “It looks like a lot. But China is the largest grower in the world. It's just a tiny increase; more due to rounding.”

Paraguay‟s crop is a record. “Paraguay has tripled production in the last three years,” said Dr. Childs. “Ten years ago I would not list Paraguay's production. But it's up 141,000 tons or 28 percent. It had a poor crop last year, but it's been on a decade-long expansion, and all of the expansion virtually is going into exports.”

Guyana‟s crop is projected up 23 percent to a record. Guyana has also made tremendous increases in the last few years in production and pushing its exports out.

Colombia‟s crop is recovering somewhat; Bangladesh‟s will be a record, due to higher yields; Pakistan‟s will be up a slight amount; and Cote d'Ivoire production is up. “Cote d'Ivoire is like Paraguay,” he said. “It's virtually tripled production in the last decade or less. We‟re seeing lots of increases in production.”

Dr. Childs said Latin America remains the largest regional market for U.S. rice by far with Mexico accounting for a large portion of those sales. Mexico now purchases more than 800,000 tons of U.S. rice annually.

Low-growth area for U.S. “Actually I would not see much growth in Latin America simply because we're extremely high right now in what we sell them now,” Dr. Childs noted. “We‟re doing very well in sales to Mexico. It will remain the top market for U.S. rice.”

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Dr. Childs confirmed that China is expected to export rice, much of it to Northeast Asia and some low quality rice into Africa. They ship some to North Korea and Japan, most of it mediumgrain.

In response to questions from Bobby Coats, professor of economics with the University of Arkansas, and the moderator of the webinar, Dr. Childs said Iraq remains an “erratic” buyer of U.S. rice. (Dr. Coats also writes the weekly Market price considerations feature for http://deltafarmpress.com.)

“It's almost impossible to predict,” he said. “Several times this year it was thought that the U.S. was going to sell. When the U.S. sold, it wasn't necessarily predicted. It's just a very difficult market to predict.

“I believe that they are certainly a price-conscious buyer. They are a big buyer, well over a million tons. The U.S. has sold almost none this year. Back in 2015-16, I believe, the U.S. was close to 150,000. It was a major buyer then. Since then, they have been virtually absent.”

An experiment turned Canadian farmers into cooking oil kings Canola didn't exist four decades ago, but is now Canada's biggest crop.

Bloomberg | Jun 01, 2017

by Jen Skerritt In the heart of Canada‟s bread basket, a Richardson International Ltd. processing plant stands as a testament to what may be the country‟s most successful agricultural experiment.

Farmers across the Prairie Provinces are planting a record acres of canola, a crop that didn‟t exist about four decades ago but now is the nation‟s biggest, sown on more land than spring wheat.

Richardson was the first company to market canola oil. It has since expanded capacity at

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factories like the one in Lethbridge, Alberta, as global demand exploded and Canada became the top exporter of an oilseed used in everything from salad dressing to french fries.

Richardson‟s facility now spans six square blocks -- a warren of crushing machines, conveyor belts, railroad links and grain silos devoted entirely to canola. After a C$120 million ($89 million) upgrade to expand capacity by 55%, it will be able to process 700,000 metric tons annually, boosting exports of oil and related products including margarine and buttery popcorn topping.

“It‟s almost a constant turnover” of jugs, barrels and bottles of oil shipped to grocers, fast-food restaurants, hospitals and bakers every day of the work week, said Steve Scott, the plant‟s maintenance manager. Pointing to a tanker car capable of hauling 80 tons, he said, “a big potatochip plant will be taking a couple of these a week.”

Canadian scientists invented canola in 1974 by breeding out undesirable traits from the rapeseed plant, though it didn‟t get the name “canola” until 1978.

The seed has more than twice as much oil as a soybean, and canola oil has become popular in cooking and deep frying. It‟s rich in heart-healthy fatty acids found in salmon and tuna that

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lower bad cholesterol and help control blood sugar, with no artery-clogging trans fats. Canola oil has about 7% saturated fat, about half as much as olive oil and a fraction of what‟s in palm oil, according to the Canola Council of Canada.

“The healthy oil profile that canola enjoys is going to keep it popular,” said David Reimann, a market analyst in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for Cargill Ltd., the world‟s largest agricultural company.

“It‟s a huge, huge market and can certainly tolerate a lot more acreage and production.”

Planting More Farmers are doing just that. While planting is a little behind schedule because of wet weather, Canadian growers eventually will sow 22 million acres of canola this year, the most ever, government data show. The planting season will end in a few weeks.

Production of canola probably will reach a record 18.75 million tons, more than half of which will be exported to big buyers like the U.S., China and Mexico, the government‟s Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said in a May 24 report. Demand also is growing, with global imports of rapeseed set to jump 5.2% to a record 16.18 million tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates, with Canada accounting for about 68% of total shipments.

Canola futures in Winnipeg slipped 0.2% to C$501.90 a ton on Wednesday, down 0.4% in 2017, after two straight years of gains. Prices have held up better than competing oilseeds as supplies increased. Canola now fetches a premium to soybeans, and it has outperformed palm oil, which is down almost 20% in the past year.

Still, farmers have plenty of incentive to supply more as domestic demand grows, with Canadian processors poised to crush a record 9 million tons in the 12-month season through July, and a similar amount in the next year, according to the nation‟s agriculture ministry.

Global Market The global market for rapeseed, which includes canola, reached $6.6 billion last year, a 61%

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increase from 2011, and is forecast to grow another 51% from 2016 to 2021, the most of any edible oil, including olive oil and sunflower oil, according to data from Euromonitor International. Since canola oil is not just for human consumption, part of that growth may go toward other uses such as animal feed, said Hope Lee, a senior analyst.

Rising demand for healthier cooking oils from North American consumers and a growing middle class in Asia has helped boost exports, said Bruce Jowett, vice president of market development for the Canola Council of Canada. That, in turn, has prompted farmers to continue to seed more acres and for processors to invest “significantly” in increasing the amount of oil and meal they can export, he said.In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration determined that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fats that contribute to heart disease, are not generally recognized as safe. Many companies -- including McDonald‟s Corp. and Unilver Plc -- have committed to phasing out trans fats from their food products.

Processing capacity has more than doubled in the past decade. The industry, including Richardson International, Bunge Ltd. and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., has spent about C$1 billion to upgrade and expand. Canada may produce as much as 26 million tons of canola by 2025, a 41% increase from 2016, Jowett said.“Canola is the healthiest oil that‟s out there,” Jowett said. “As consumers become more educated about their health, they can see that consuming less saturated fat is a good thing.”

Culver's guests contribute more than $50,000 for ag ed Scoops of Thanks Day raises money to support next generation of ag leaders.

Jun 01, 2017 Culver's guests once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting agricultural education by stopping by Culver's on Scoops of Thanks Day, May 4. On this day, guests had the opportunity to donate $1 to local FFA chapters or other local agricultural organizations in exchange for a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard. The result: $50,700 was raised for agricultural education organizations.

Scoops of Thanks Day is part of Culver‟s Thank You Farmers program.“Supporting agricultural education in local communities is as important to our guests as it is to Culver‟s,” said Jessie

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Corning, senior marketing manager for Culver‟s. “Scoops of Thanks Day allows us to come together and show our support for the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

To date, the Thank You Farmers initiative has raised over $1 million in support of the National FFA Organization and Foundation, local FFA chapters and a variety of local agricultural organizations. http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/us-rice-prices-could-be-headed-higher-2017-18

It's Raining Rice Seeds!

Rice Farming TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X94F_spmZzU

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Cuba Policy Changes Would Benefit AR Rice Farmers By: DREW PETRIMOULX

Posted: May 30, 2017 06:38 PM CDT Updated: May 30, 2017 09:58 PM CDT WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rice farmers in Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana want to sell more of their crops to Cuba.That island nation is the largest per capita rice consumer in the Western Hemisphere.Right now, federal law requires Cube to use cash only, no credit, to buy rice and other products from U.S. farmers but some lawmakers want to change that.

A group of lawmakers in Washington is working on a change to Cuba policy that could open up a new market for farmers in several states, including Arkansas.

Supporters say such a change could open up a billion dollar market for American agriculture.

"Cuba is the number one consumer of rice in the western hemisphere and we sell currently sell zero rice to Cuba," says James Williams with Engage Cuba.

In 1962, the U.S. placed a trade embargo on Cuba in response to Fidel Castro's Communist takeover of the island."Our goal was to overthrow the Castro regime, introduce democracy, and bring capitalism to Cuba. Those things have not happened," Williams continues.In 2001, Congress loosened restrictions on trade with Cuba but on a cash only basis.Williams is working to change that.

"Were basically asking farmers to trade with one hand behind their back," he says.

Arkansas Republican Congressman Rick Crawford agrees."What we're trying to do is to allow for us entities to extend credit terms in the sale of those agricultural goods," he says.

Rep. Crawford says rice producing states like Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, have the most to gain.A small but influential group of lawmakers in Congress oppose easing sanctions on Cuba because of the government's human rights abuses. But a bipartisan coalition believes it now has the votes for change.Rep. Crawford believes increasing trade could help put Cuba on a path to democratic reforms, and help U.S. farmers at the same time."It tees us up the opportunity for the United States to play a larger role," he continues.

Crawford and other Washington lawmakers are working on tweaks aimed at preventing Cuban military leaders from benefiting from the flow of new business. They hope to have that legislation ready in the next few weeks http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/cuba-policy-changes-would-benefit-ar-ricefarmers/726759963

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Rice: Nitrogen fertilization in uncertain times Before you jump to conclusions on your field being too early or late to fertilize and flood, put the DD50 data behind that decision.

Jarrod Hardke, Trent Roberts | May 31, 2017 After a big rain across most of the Delta, another round on the way Thursday and Friday, here‟s the first thing you need to do if you haven‟t already: run an up-to-date DD50 on your fields (http://DD50.uaex.edu). Before you jump to conclusions on your field being too early or late to fertilize and flood, put the DD50 data behind that decision.

Now that we know where you stand let‟s talk options. Much of the rice out there was planted early and needs to go to flood. However, you should wait until the date of „Final recommended time to apply preflood N if early N delayed‟ found in the DD50 printout before you do anything drastic. Once you reach this date though, it‟s time to make a move.

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Repeating: if you have yet to reach this date, DO NOT make unnecessary or inefficient N applications, you still have time.

Now for those with fields that are out of time. If you have passed the Final Recommended Time, let‟s talk. Have a flooded field right now from the rain? Roll up the gates and hold the water. Start spoonfeeding 100 lbs urea every 7 days – no more than 5 total applications – but evaluate closely after the 4th app to see if the 5th is even needed.

Do you think you can get dried up before the rain forecast on Thursday and Friday? Then you‟ll want to go through the more usual scenarios below.

As a general reminder, here are the preferred management guidelines for preflood N: In order of preference, based on yield response and N efficiency, here are options for applying preflood N based on field situations: 1. Field is dry: Apply NBPT-treated urea onto dry soil and establish the permanent flood in a timely manner to incorporate N below the soil surface. If you have any time to spare, it is always best to apply preflood N onto dry soil – applications onto muddy soil or into standing water are far less favorable and much less efficient methods of N fertilization.

2. Field is muddy: Apply NBPT-treated urea onto muddy soil and attempt to let the soil dry if you have time. If a significant rainfall event occurs (~0.5 in or more) to re-wet the field then begin flooding; otherwise let the soil dry before establishing the flood. If you‟re applying N to mud we do not know exactly how much N will be lost, but increasing the N rate by ~ 20 lbs N would be wise to offset losses. This increase may or may not provide much benefit depending on your exact soil and weather conditions, but it‟s less likely to hurt in this case. Watch the crop closely and apply extra N if a deficiency occurs.

3. Field has standing water: Get the water off the field if at all possible (if time allows). If you do not have time to get the water off and let the soil dry, then hold the water and “spoon-feed” N

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into the flood in small quantities every 5-7 days for 4-5 weeks is the best option – lean toward every 7 days. A small quantity means 45 lbs N per acre (100 lbs urea per acre). If you have a short time to internode elongation, maybe applying N for 3 weeks at 45, 60, and 60 lbs N per acre will be better but still apply a midseason shot of 45 lbs N per acre in addition. Do not, for any reason, apply the entire recommended preflood N rate in one application into standing water.

Preferred “worst-case” management: As rice reaches the end of the N application window according to the DD50 program, apply N treated with NBPT to muddy/wet soil and attempt to let the soil dry out underneath the applied N – if a significant rainfall occurs, start flooding. Realize that some N is lost in this case and be prepared to monitor the crop closely and apply additional N later if the rice looks like it needs it.

Fields unable to hold a flood (levees and gates unfinished or damaged): Apply a small amount of N and wait for the soil to dry or receive upcoming rainfall. If heavy rain is expected and movement is a concern, ammonium sulfate should be used for this application; otherwise, apply urea. If conditions are still not dry enough to flood the field in a week, subsequent N applications will be needed in the same manner until a flood can be established. At the point the flood can be established, apply any remaining N requirements to the dry soil and flood.

When preflood N is applied onto dry soil to rice at the 4- to 5-leaf stage and a flood is applied timely, plants take up at least 60% of the total N applied over the course of 3 weeks (10% week 1, 20% week 2, 30% week 3). In general the period from the optimum time to apply preflood N until internode elongation (IE) is about 3 weeks, but from the final recommended application time to IE is about 2 weeks. However, these timings are based on plant development when rice has received timely N fertilization and flooding – delaying these causes rice to develop more slowly. Keep in mind that we can only make up a small amount of yield with N applied at midseason.

Previous research has shown that N applied onto dry soil has the most yield benefit. Applying urea onto muddy soil can result in a 20% yield loss. However, applying ammonium sulfate or

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urea + NBPT onto muddy soil and letting the soil dry can reduce the yield loss to only 10%. In this research, N was applied just prior to permanent flood at the 4- to 5-leaf stage.

Past the 4- to 5-leaf stage, potential yield losses could become more dramatic. However, many factors influence how much flexibility we have in our N fertilization timing, including cultivar, length of maturity, native soil N, soil type, etc. If native soil N is high, then the effect is reduced.

If it is a longer season cultivar then there is a greater window before midseason. In any case donâ€&#x;t let it get too late before applying N. Use of the DD50 Rice Management Program can help to time management decisions in these situations (http://DD50.uaex.edu). http://www.deltafarmpress.com/rice/rice-nitrogen-fertilization-uncertain-times

Price of Thai rice reaches 425 US dollars per ton on global market

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BANGKOK, 31 May 2017 (NNT) - The Thai Rice Exporters Association has revealed that the price of Thai rice has reached 425 US dollars per ton, due its believed to the decreasing supply of rice on the global market Honorary President of Thai Rice Export Association, Chukiat Opaswong said today prices of rice worldwide have been increasing as global rice supplies are declining. Thailand has been able to raise the price from 365 dollars to 425 dollars per ton over the past two months. Even though Vietnamese rice is sold at a price 45 dollars cheaper, demand for Thai rice continues to grow especially in Iraq, Iran and African countries.

Chief Executive Officer of the Rice Trader Ltd Jeremy Swinger expressed his belief that the price of Thai rice would not decline because of the stable demand. The price is even likely to go up by another 20 dollars in the next three months. Despite the growing demand, Thai rice exports to Hong Kong have declined. Kenneth Chan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rice Merchants Association, has suggested Thailand do more to promote Jasmine rice among Chinese consumers because Jasmine rice is generally more popular than other strains https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/985665-price-of-thai-rice-reaches-425-us-dollars-per-tonon-global-market/

Monsoon rains hit India's southern coast, to spur growth Reuters | Published — Tuesday 30 May 2017 NEW DELHI: Crop-nourishing monsoon rains lashed the Kerala coast of India's southwest on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department said, the earliest start to the rains since 2011 which should boost the world's fasting growing economy's agriculture.The monsoon delivers about 70 percent of India's annual rainfall, critical for the farm sector that accounts for about 15 percent of India's $2 trillion economy and employs more than half of the country's 1.3 billion people.

India's 260 million farmers depend on monsoon rains to grow crops such as rice, cane, corn, cotton and soybeans because nearly half of the country's farmland lacks irrigation. Higher farm incomes following plentiful rains lift the demand for an array of consumer goods ranging from lipsticks to refrigerators.

Monsoon rains hit the Kerala coast in line with the forecast of the India Meteorological Department, a senior weather department official, who did not wish to be named as she is not authorised to talk to media, said.The India Meteorological Department declares the arrival of monsoon rains only after parameters measuring the consistency of the rainfall over a defined geography, the intensity, cloudiness and wind speed are satisfied.

Andaman and Nicobar, islands off India's southeastern coast that are usually the first areas to receive the monsoon, received rainfall six days ahead of schedule earlier this month.The weather

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office on April 18 forecast this year's monsoon rains at 96 percent of a 50-year average of 89 cm.As the monsoon intensifies over India, other neighbouring regions have been hit by the separate Cyclone Mora. The storm has caused deaths, destroyed refugee camps and damaged properties across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and parts of northeastern India.

Landslides and floods in Sri Lanka killed at least 151 people and over 100 people are missing Bangladesh has evacuated at least 350,000 people as the cyclone lashed coastal areas on Tuesday, officials said, causing havoc in refugee camps set up for Rohingya Muslims who have fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar.Heavy rains also lashed India's remote northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh as Mora moved further up the Bay of Bengal.However, the cyclone is independent to India's southwest monsoon pattern.

In May, K.J. Ramesh, director general of the Meteorological Department, told Reuters that the country looked likely to receive higher monsoon rainfall than previously forecast as concern over the El Nino weather condition had eased.El Nino, a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that typically occurs every few years and was linked to crop damage, fires and flash floods, faded in 2016. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1107476/world

Nagpur Foodgrain Prices Open- JUN 01, 2017 Reuters | Jun 1, 2017, 01.10 PM IST Nagpur Foodgrain Prices - APMC/Open Market-June 1 Nagpur, June 1 (Reuters) - Gram prices firmed up again in Nagpur Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee (APMC) auction on increased buying support from local millers amid weak supply from producing regions. Fresh rise in Madhya Pradesh pulses and enquiries from South-based millers also boosted prices. Farmers organisation has announced strike from today but it has no impact in Nagpur APMC. About 1,500 bags of gram and 800 bags of tuar were available for auctions, according to sources. FOODGRAINS & PULSES GRAM * Gram varieties ruled steady in open market here but demand was poor. TUAR * Tuar varieties quoted static here on subdued demand from local traders amid ample stock in ready position. * Major wheat and rice varieties reported higher in open market on good buying support from local traders amid weak supply from producing belts. * In Akola, Tuar New - 3,800-3,900, Tuar dal (clean) - 5,800-6,000, Udid Mogar (clean) - 9,20010,000, Moong Mogar (clean) 6,800-7,200, Gram - 5,800-6,100, Gram Super best - 7,800-8,200

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* Other commodities moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at last levels in thin trading activity. Nagpur foodgrains APMC auction/open-market prices in rupees for 100 kg FOODGRAINS Available prices Previous close Gram Auction 4,650-5,100 4,580-5,050 Gram Pink Auction n.a. 2,100-2,600 Tuar Auction 3,400-5,050 3,400-5,050 Moong Auction n.a.

3,900-4,200 Udid Auction n.a. 4,300-4,500 Masoor Auction n.a. 2,600-2,800 Wheat Mill quality Auction 1,500-1,628 1,500-1,628 Gram Super Best Bold 8,000-8,400 8,000-8,400 Gram Super Best n.a. n.a. Gram Medium Best 7,400-7,800 7,400-7,800 Gram Dal Medium n.a. n.a Gram Mill Quality 5,400-5,600 5,400-5,600 Desi gram Raw 6,350-6,550 6,350-6,550 Gram Yellow 7,900-8,100 7,900-8,100 Gram Kabuli 12,300-13,400 12,300-13,400 Tuar Fataka BestNew 6,000-6,200 6,000-6,200 Tuar http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nagpur-foodgrain-prices-open-jun-012017/articleshow/58942213.cms

After spectacular onset, monsoon may hold strong for three more days VINSON KURIAN The early arrival of the monsoon, which is forecast to be near-normal for the four-month season, has brightened the prospects of the country‟s farm sector THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 30: The South-West monsoon made one of the most spectacular onsets that Kerala has witnessed in recent years, with most parts of the State receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall on Tuesday.

It came two days ahead of the normal onset, and exactly as forecast by India Met Department (IMD) two weeks ago. „Active‟ monsoon conditions are expected to last for three days more, the Thiruvananthapuram Met Office said.

The early arrival of monsoon, which is forecast to be near-normal for the four-month season, has brightened the prospects of the country‟s farm sector.

Further advance On Tuesday morning, the IMD said that the monsoon had entered Kerala and advanced into some parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in the North-East.

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It had covered Maldives-Comorin entirely, entered more parts of South Arabian Sea, southern parts of Lakshadweep area, and more parts of the Bay of Bengal.

The IMD said conditions are favourable for further advance into South Arabian Sea, southern parts of Lakshadweep and Kerala, parts of Central Arabian Sea, Coastal and South Interior Karnataka, more parts of Tamil Nadu and the North-Eastern States.

The monsoon has been heavy over the North-East also. Heavy to very rain has been forecast for these States which had earlier in the day witnessed the fury of cyclone „Mora‟ that barrelled into Bangladesh coast.

Cyclone-borne In fact, it was the severe cyclone that carried the monsoon into both Kerala and the North-East in much the same manner as predecessor „Maarutha‟ heralded the seasonal rains into Andaman & Nicobar Islands almost two weeks ago. The strong to very strong monsoon flows in the Arabian Sea may, by the weekend, prove beyond the capacity of the Western Ghats to handle, likely making a progressively large band blow back into the sea.

This could briefly disrupt the heavy rain pattern along the west coast; but the flows would resume with even more strength from early next week as the Bay of Bengal likely tosses up another low-pressure area.

The Andhra Pradesh coast is expected to host the system. This would mean another punishing spell of rain for the entire peninsula, extending coverage to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Rain outlook The Met has warned of another spell of heavy to very heavy rain for Kerala on Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall is expected to continue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. No significant change in weather is forecast for three days beginning Sunday.

Strong winds from a westerly direction with speed occasionally reaching 45-55 km/hr is likely along and off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area until Wednesday afternoon, the Met Office said. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/southwest-monsoon-hits-kerala-imd/article9715720.ece

Cuba Policy Changes Would Benefit AR Rice Farmers By: DREW PETRIMOULX

Posted: May 30, 2017 06:38 PM CDT Updated: May 30, 2017 09:58 PM CDT

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rice farmers in Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana want to sell more of their crops to Cuba.That island nation is the largest per capita rice consumer in the Western Hemisphere.Right now, federal law requires Cube to use cash only, no credit, to buy rice and other products from U.S. farmers but some lawmakers want to change that.A group of lawmakers in Washington is working on a change to Cuba policy that could open up a new market for farmers in several states, including Arkansas.

Supporters say such a change could open up a billion dollar market for American agriculture."Cuba is the number one consumer of rice in the western hemisphere and we sell currently sell zero rice to Cuba," says James Williams with Engage Cuba.In 1962, the U.S. placed a trade embargo on Cuba in response to Fidel Castro's Communist takeover of the island.

"Our goal was to overthrow the Castro regime, introduce democracy, and bring capitalism to Cuba. Those things have not happened," Williams continues.In 2001, Congress loosened restrictions on trade with Cuba but on a cash only basis.Williams is working to change that.

"Were basically asking farmers to trade with one hand behind their back," he says.Arkansas Republican Congressman Rick Crawford agrees.

"What we're trying to do is to allow for us entities to extend credit terms in the sale of those agricultural goods," he says.Rep. Crawford says rice producing states like Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, have the most to gain.A small but influential group of lawmakers in Congress oppose easing sanctions on Cuba because of the government's human rights abuses. But a bipartisan coalition believes it now has the votes for change.

Rep. Crawford believes increasing trade could help put Cuba on a path to democratic reforms, and help U.S. farmers at the same time."It tees us up the opportunity for the United States to play a larger role," he continues.Crawford and other Washington lawmakers are working on tweaks aimed at preventing Cuban military leaders from benefiting from the flow of new business. They hope to have that legislation ready in the next few weeks.

NFA OKs private rice imports Extension to June 30 ends squabble between agency head, policymaking council By: Ronnel W. Domingo - @inquirerdotnet

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:30 AM June 01, 2017 National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Y. Aquino has moved to allow the entry of private-sector rice imports until June 30, extending the previous deadline of Feb. 28 and ending a

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months-long squabble within the NFA Council.Through NFA Memorandum No. 05-39, Aquino said the deadline was extended “in accordance with NFA Council Resolution No. 84-2017-C dated March 28.”

Last May 17, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco said the NFA had been ordered to allow a total of 54,000 tons of additional milled rice shipments until June as the government moves to shore up its buffer stock.

The order, given out by the NFA Council, the food agency‟s highest decision-making body, means an extension of the deadline for incoming shipments imported through the minimum access volume (MAV), which was originally set for Feb. 28, 2017.

The MAV is a mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that suspended the implementation of tariffs on rice for countries where trade of the staple grain is socially sensitive while committing the concerned country to ensure a minimum volume of guaranteed importation.

The question of whether or not the deadline for MAV shipments should be moved forward sparked in-fighting at the NFA Council, with the NFA administrator defying the council majority.Yesterday, Evasco said the council ordered the NFA management to sign the remaining import permits covering 54,000 tons from the 2016 MAV allocations, which have already been landed and stored in domestic ports.

He said the council also ordered the NFA management to “publish the extension until June for the remaining 20,000 metric tons to augment our industry stocks.”“Actually, the NFA should stop its commercial functions and just focus on being a regulatory agency,” Evasco said.

“The NFA is (prone to corruption) because of the conflict of interest for having both proprietary and regulatory functions,” he added. “The legislature should act fast to amend the NFA charter to finally end the monopoly on rice importation of NFA and perhaps streamline its functions.”Even then, Evasco earlier said the NFA would continue to import rice, but would engage private-sector entities instead of state-run grain suppliers abroad. http://business.inquirer.net/230533/nfa-oks-private-rice-imports

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