LRA and LRGA hold joint meeting

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Miike Strain speaks during the Louisiana Rice Council and Louisiana Rice Growers Association Joint Annual Meeting. Sitting to Strain’s left are Jeff Durand, Jimmy Hoppe, Betsy Ward, Reece Langley, Jim Wiesemeyer, and Kevin Berken.

Howell Dennis

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A host of area farmers and other members of the Louisiana rice industry were on hand Tuesday evening at the International Rice Festival building Tuesday night for the Louisiana Rice Council and Louisiana Rice Growers Association joint annual meeting. Several topics were discussed including the future of the rice industry, how today’s political climate is affecting the industry, and possible future free trade agreements with countries such as Cuba.
Jeff Durand, president of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association, welcomed those in attendance and recognized several dignitaries in attendance including Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain, State Representative Jack Montoucet, and representatives of Congressman Charles Boustany’s office.
Strain spoke to the group about making their voices heard by coming out unified in saying no to the ‘cap and trade’ bill which will come before congress.
“This represents a major change to what we believe in America,” said Strain. “In the end they will tax everything you do that uses energy. Congress needs to hear us loud and clear that we will not be taxed into oblivion.”
“Rice is the leading food source in the world today and the future is in Louisiana if they leave us alone,” he continued. “I think the future of the Louisiana rice industry is as strong as ever but we need to band together.”
Both groups (La. Rice Council and La. Rice Growers Association) held their respective business meetings led by President Jimmy Hoppe (La. Rice Council) and Durand (La. Rice Growers Association).
Betsy Ward, President and CEO of the USA Rice Federation Board delivered a report from her company.
“We had a good year,” she said. “Our audit was really great.”
Ward described what she would like to envision the future of the USA Rice Federation as being.
“We are an umbrella for the U.S. rice industry,” she said. “Our vision is to be the driving force of a profitable and united U.S. rice industry.”
Ward also delivered a report discussing an in-depth funding review, the group’s budget and trends in the rice industry. She also discussed several promotions such as a steak and rice program with restaurants such as the Texas Roadhouse and a campaign called “Grown in the USA” which is aimed at branding every bag of rice produced by the United States with the slogan.
“The rice industry in this state is presently strong and you are well represented by your state’s leaders,” she concluded.
Following dinner, Reece Langley, Vice President of Government Affairs for the USA Rice Federation spoke to the gathering. He pointed out that there was a “chilly forecast in Washington” with Obama’s approval rating has fallen from 68% to 48% since his inauguration. The Obama administration was criticized often during the meeting for it’s lack of trade insight and it’s ‘cap and trade’ ideas.
Among the items Langley discussed were recent developments in the Farm Bill, Crop Insurance, the affect of the climate change advocates to farmers, and free trade with Cuba.
“If it weren’t stifled by our government for the past several decades Cuba could become as big as Mexico,” he said in reference to the largest importer of U.S. rice.
Langley concluded by saying that the best ways for farmers to make their voice heard was to be involved with the USA Rice Federation, be involved politcally, be stubborn with the fact against the challenges the industry faces, and to take care of your business.
The keynote speaker was Jim Wiesemeyer the Vice President of Information Economics - Washington Bureau. His presentation was entitled ‘Obama and the Democrats, What they’ve done and what’s ahead.’ A very entertaining and loquacious man, Wiesemeyer addressed the group by leaving the podium and standing directly before tthe audience.
“You are in a great industry,” he said “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Among the items he discussed were last night’s s State of the Union address (“Which Obama will we see the conciliatory one we saw after last week’s Massachusetts election or the more liberal version,” he said.), the slow progress after the recession, the high unemployment rate, regulatory reform, and the federal deficit.
When it came to items such as new trade agreements Wiesemeyer quipped “You have an administration that is like the Maytag repairman, they don’t want to change anything.”
He also touched on Cuba (“We have to see if Castro ever dies, once that happens we will have trade with them”) and the upcoming 2010 midterm elections (“If the Republicans take the majority then Obama would have to move to the right if he wants to govern”).
He also mentioned the growth of China’s economy.
“In ten years China will have a bigger economy than the United States,” he said.
Wiesemeyer concluded by saying “that if the government allows you to you have a very bright future, the world is growing your way.”