14 August 2014

Daily Exclusive ORYZA E-Newsletter

(Unedited Verison)

Bad for Your Ambiance, but Good for Your Rice Farm -
New Bird Repellent Ribbon
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
At first, it may appear like a cheap, flashy ribbon used to decorate a farm. But it
is what seems to be keeping the birds from sucking the milk of the rice grain or
damaging the rice flower. Avilex Biotech Limited, Lagos, claims that its new
product - a bird repellent ribbon - has proven to be useful for the rice farmer.
The company conducted field trials at a farm in Abakaliki in the Nigerian state of
Ebonyi.
Avilex says that the bird repeller ribbon combines holography, wind and light to
irritate pest birds senses and create an off limit zone for them. The contraption
flashes as it moves with wind, reflecting sunlight or any light it produces and
constantly changing colours and patterns, thus creating a panic situation for
birds that approach the rice farms for fodder.

The locally sourced tapes come in 30 meter length 1" or 2" width, in 25 and 45
micron thickness. The makers claim that compared to electronic or techno bird
guards, these cost less as they do not need electricity or battery power to work.
The company advices farmers to use the bird scaring tape around the farm right
at the filtering stage to prevent the winged visitors from perching, slurping the
milk of the rice grain and wasting the rice flower.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags:
Rice, rice news, bird scare ribbon, repellent tape, rice farm protection

Growing GI Rice to Fetch Cash Incentives to Indian

farmers
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
The government of the south-Indian state Kerala has allocated $3.2 million and
2,000 hectares specifically to grow four Geographical Indications (GI) rice
varieties grown in the state.
Under this initiative, farmers will be offered an incentive of $163 per hectare to
grow the four GI varieties - Pokkali, Njavara, Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala.
Pokkali is saline-resistant rice variety.

Farmers cultivate Pokkali from June to November as the salinity of the soil is
low during this time. They switch to prawn farming from November to May. The
new incentive-linked program is likely to attract farmers of other rice varieties
also to cultivate these GI varieties.
The government will also shortly unveil plans to promote basmati cultivation in
the state.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags:

GI, Kerala, India, Rice, rice news, Pokkali, Njavara, Jeerakasala, Gandhakasala

Declining Olive Oil Prices Pose Challenges for Indian

Rice Bran Oil Producers
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
Declining olive oil prices and increasing demand for olive oil are posing
challenges for Indian rice bran oil producers, according to local sources.
Currently, Olive oil prices stand at around Rs.150.06 (around $2.4) per litre,
down about 18.4% from around Rs.183.68 (around $3) per litre last year.
After declining last year, olive oil prices began increasing this year due to
increased olive production in Spain. According to the President of Indian Olive
Association (IOA), olive production in Spain has reached around 1.7 million tons
so far this year compared to around 1.3 million tons during the same period last
year. Due to this development, the European Commission (EC) is reportedly
planning to hugely promote Spanish olive oil in India. It is earmarked around €
4.35 million (around $5.8 million) for the purpose. Local sources say, the EC's
campaign is likely to boost olive oil sales in India over the next three years. The
IOA says demand for olive oil is increasing at an average rate of 40% per
annum, and the EC’s project will further enhance the demand growth.

Rice bran oil sales are likely to be impacted if the EC successfully implements
the project in India. Rice bran oil producers are reportedly planning to
aggressively promote the health benefits of rice bran oil compared to olive oil as
a counter strategy. Though India has the potential to produce around 1.4
million tons of rice bran oil yearly, the country is producing only 900,000 tons
due to not much demand for it. Of this only 300,000 tons of oil is used for
edible purposes and the remaining is used by vanaspati industry or blended
with other oils and sold as branded products.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags:

Rice bran oil, Olive oil, India rice production

[c]

Oryza Overnight Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures

Find Support as Grains Turn Higher Following
Yesterday's S&D Led Sell-off
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
Chicago rough rice futures for Sep delivery have been paused 1.5 cents per cwt
(about $0.33 per ton) higher at $12.665 per cwt (about $279 per ton) ahead of
early floor trading in Chicago. The other grains are seen higher as well this
morning: soybeans are currently seen 0.2% lower, wheat is listed about 0.8%
higher and corn is noted about 0.2% higher.

U.S. stock index futures signaled a higher open early on Wednesday, following
global markets higher, with investors focused on corporate releases and
continued tensions in Ukraine and Iraq. Futures did not move significantly on
news that retail sales for July were flat, missing estimates and the weakest
reading since January. Shares of major retailers in pre-market trading were
down slightly following the report. U.S. stocks closed down in light volume trade
on Tuesday for the first time in three sessions as developments in Ukraine and
Russia continued to trouble investors. A Russian convoy of trucks carrying
humanitarian aid left Moscow for Ukraine on Tuesday despite the international
community warning that it shouldn't be used as a pretext for an invasion. Kiev,
meanwhile, has said it would not allow the vehicles to cross on to its territory.
This comes as fighting between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian
rebels continues in the east of the country. Calming words from Polish Foreign
Minister Radoslaw Sikorski gave investors some comfort on Wednesday along
with reports that the convoy will travel under cooperation with the Red Cross.
Russian blue-chip stocks were trading higher by 1.3% in morning trade. In Iraq,
130 military advisors for the U.S. have arrived in Irbil, which includes marines
and special operations forces who assess the humanitarian situation in the north
of the country. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Tuesday reiterated that
the U.S. is not going back into Iraq with a "combat boots-on-the-ground
operation." The price of oil slipped further on Wednesday morning, with Brent
futures falling to 13-month lows. In Europe, stocks were posting gains after
some better-than-expected corporate releases from the insurance sector. In
Asia, shares traded mixed as markets shrugged off poor data on the Japanese
economy and key monthly indicators from China. Back in the U.S., a weekly
report showed a decline in mortgage application volume despite lower mortgage
rates and far less dramatic home prices than a year ago. US stock index futures
are currently seen trading about 0.3% higher, gold is currently trading about
0.2% higher, crude oil is seen trading about 0.1% higher, and the U.S. dollar is
currently trading about 0.1% lower at 9:15am Chicago time.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags: chicago rough rice futures, U.S. rice market, U.S. rice prices

Oryza Afternoon Recap - Chicago Rough Rice Futures

Continue to Drift Sideways; Grains Remain under
Pressure as Beans and Wheat Both Slide over 1%
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
Chicago rough rice futures for Sep delivery settled 0.5 cents per cwt (about
$0.11 per ton) higher at $12.655 per cwt (about $279 per ton). The other
grains finished the day mostly lower; soybeans closed about 1.2% lower at
$10.4675 per bushel; wheat finished about 1.9% lower at $5.2800 per bushel,
and corn finished the day about 0.2% higher at $3.7075 per bushel.
U.S. stocks gained on Wednesday, boosted by a rally in airlines and biotech
firms. Dow transports rose nearly 1%, more than 2% for the week, with airlines
jumping on low fuel prices as oil continued to trade at 13-month lows. European
stocks closed up, with the DAX regaining all its Tuesday's losses after some
better-than-expected corporate releases from the insurance sector. Asian
shares were mixed as markets shrugged off poor data on the Japanese
economy and key monthly indicators from China. Business inventories in the
United States rose 0.4% in June after gaining 0.5% in May. Overseas, a Russian
convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid left Moscow for Ukraine on Tuesday
despite the international community warning that it shouldn't be used as a
pretext for an invasion. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shaved earlier gains
of more than 100 points to rise 87 points, or 0.53%, to 16,648.49. The S&P 500
advanced about 13 points, or 0.64%, to 1,946.19, with all sectors gaining. The
Nasdaq extended opening gains to rise more than 39 points, or 0.90%, to
4,428.83. Gold is trading about 0.3% higher, crude oil is seen trading about
0.3% higher, and the U.S. dollar is seen trading about 0.1% higher at about
1:00pm Chicago time.

Tuesday, there were 962 contracts traded, down from 696 contracts traded on
Monday. Open interest – the number of contracts outstanding – on Tuesday
decreased by 167 contracts to 9,665.

Tags: chicago rough rice futures, U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market

Oryza U.S. Rough Rice Recap - Quiet Market as Buyer

and Seller Stand-off Continues
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
The U.S. cash market remains very quiet with buyers staying on the sidelines
anticipating lower prices ahead of the second largest long grain crop in the last
five years while sellers insist that if bids do not improve they will simply store
their rice until they deem that prices are sufficiently high enough.

As of today, offers were unchanged around $13.33 per cwt fob farm (about
$294 per ton) while bids could still be found around $12.85-$13.25 per cwt
(about $282-$292 per ton) for September-October delivery however neither
buyer or seller were willing to budge on price today.
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Tags: U.S. rice prices, U.S. rice market

Rice Breeding Is a Numbers Game: Dr Steve

Linscombe
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
Dr Steve Linscombe, rice breeder and director of the Louisiana State University
Agricultural Center’s Rice Research Station, Crowley, Louisiana, talks about the
latest in rice research that can be game changers in the world of rice. Since
1908, the Rice Research Station has been conducting research and developing
new rice varieties. Rice farmers themselves help support the station’s efforts
through a check-off fee, which creates a fund distributed by the Louisiana Rice
Research Board. Excerpts from an exclusive interview to Oryza.com
Oryza: Recently, you had mentioned about a promising hybrid rice that was in
research stage at the Rice Research Station in Crowley. Can you tell us more
about it?
Dr Steve Linscombe: We actually have several promising hybrids, but the one
that is catching my eye is a very high yielding, conventional long grain that is
showing milling yields and grain appearance quality equal to our best varieties.
We still have a few questions to answer about it, but to this point it has looked
very good.
Oryza: Assuming all goes well with the trials next year, what will that translate
to, for the rice consumers? Will it mean tastier rice? Healthier rice? Rice with a
great yield?
Dr Steve Linscombe: Well, certainly we are hopeful that it will have an
excellent yield and of very good quality. The good quality will also translate into
a more consistent cooking quality that could translate into a tastier product. All
rice is very healthy already.
Oryza: We hear that you are testing about 250 experimental lines for the
Provisia rice (a herbicide-tolerant rice system from Germany). What can we
expect from that?
Dr Steve Linscombe: We have an accelerated program to develop an
agronomically sound, high yielding and high quality line with the Provisia trait
as quickly as possible. We think that this new technology has a great deal to
offer to the US rice industry and would like to see it available as soon as
possible. Rice breeding is a numbers game and the more lines that we can
evaluate, the better chance that we have of identifying one that has what is
needed so that this important technology can be made available to our rice
producers.

Oryza: We hear that this rice is being developed through conventional breeding
method. In that case, how resistant is to herbicide? Can its traits be
incorporated into other rice breeds?
Dr Steve Linscombe: Our work involves moving a trait from a mutant line that
is not really adapted to southern U.S production – into a new variety that has all
the plant and grain traits that will allow us to produce it commercially using the
new herbicide system. Our work has shown that the trait can be moved through
conventional rice breeding to different germplasm [a collection of genetic
resources for an organism].
Oryza: You said previously in another write-up that most of the Jazzman rice [a
variety of exclusively designed aromatic rice developed by the LSU AgCenter]
grown last year went overseas to countries that are now buying Vietnamese
aromatic rice. You even commented - “The Vietnamese came in and severely
undercut us.” How does the rice of one country change the equations
worldwide?”
Dr Steve Linscombe: While I am not a rice marketing expert, it is pretty easy
to understand that if rice from another country is being sold into a market at a
lower price than our marketers can sell rice at and still make a profit – it will be
very difficult for U.S. rice to compete.
Oryza: We are halfway through 2014. What do you think will be the next big
thing this year?
Dr Steve Linscombe: Hopefully it will be outstanding yields and good quality
for all U.S. rice producers and something somewhere that will lead to a
substantial upturn in rice prices for our producers. Rice is a very expensive crop
to produce and it will be difficult for many of our producers to make a profit at
the current projected rice prices for this year’s crop- especially long grain
prices.
Oryza: As a rice researcher, what is your personal wish list for the next three/
four years? Would it be more rice, better rice, cheaper rice, disease-resistant
rice... What do you dream about for the rice world?
Steve Linscombe: Hopefully breeders can continue to make yield and/or
quality gains. We are also continually working to improve disease
resistance. But ultimately I would hope for yields and prices that will allow our
industry to continue to be economically viable.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags:

Rice, rice news, Research, Dr Steve Linscombe, LSUag, Crowley, Louisiana

Russia Rejects Parboiled Rice Imports from India after

Detecting Pests
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014
Oryza.com -
Russia has rejected a parboiled rice consignment from India after its phyto-
sanitary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has detected in July 2014 that it was
contaminated with pests, according to local sources.
A statement by the watchdog was quoted as saying that the watchdog detected
low quality and hazardous rice exported from India. The statement also noted
that the stored grains were contaminated with 4 specimens (1 meal worm, 2
locust leaf rollers and 1 tick) per one kilogram of rice. The consignment is
presently banned to enter Russia, the statement added. Russia had previously
banned rice imports from India between February - August 2013 due to a
similar reason.
Russia has been a promising market for India rice exports in the recent years.
India's rice exports to Russia grew about 6.5 times to around 62,251 tons in FY
2012-13 from around 9,490 tons in FY 2011-12, according to data from the
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA) in India. However, they declined 14% to around 53,757 tons in FY
2013-14 due to a temporary ban.

USDA estimates Russia's 2014 milled rice production to decline 11% to around
608,000 tons from around 684,000 tons in 2013 due to expected decline in rice
acreage. It estimates Russia to import 250,000 tons of rice in 2014, up about
4% from around 240,000 tons in 2013.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags: Russia rice production, Russia rice imports, Rice acreage

Sufficient Rice Production Should Supplement Imports

in 2014 to Ensure Supplies and Curb Price Hikes, Says
Philippine Agri Secretary
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014

Oryza.com -
The Philippines government should aim at achieving 96-98% self-sufficiency in
rice production in 2014 in addition to importing nearly 1.3 million tons of rice to
ensure adequate supplies and curb price hikes, according to local sources.
The Agriculture Secretary told local sources that local rice production cannot be
ignored even if the country is prepared to import as much as 1.3 million tons of
rice this year. He noted that an increased rice production along with imports will
boost supplies and control prices. Less supplies last year due to reduced imports
and lesser-than targeted production led to a steep hike in prices, which forced
the country to increase imports. He therefore stressed on maintaining enough
supplies in the market.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is striving to increase rice production and
achieve self-sufficiency in rice, the Minister said. For 2015, the DA is planning
to get a budget of around P88.59 billion (around $2 billion) to support farmers
in lowering their production costs and improving efficiency, according to him.

The Minister stated that the Philippines government has saved around P147
billion (around $3.3 billion) by reducing rice imports between 2010 and 2013.
The Philippines government could increase the rice self-sufficiency achievement
level from 82% in 2010 to 96% in 2013, he added. The Agri Secretary
supported the National Food Authority (NFA) plan to import additional 500,000
tons of rice this year saying that the imports would boost the buffer stock and
help stabilizing prices.
The DA is estimating the Philippines 2014 milled rice production at around 12.38
million tons against a demand of around 12.9 million tons. The country
produced around 4.3 million tons in the first quarter of 2014, up about 3% from
around 4.17 million tons last year.
USDA estimates Philippines MY 2014-15 (July - June) paddy rice production at
around 19.37 million tons (around 12.2 million tons, basis milled), up about 3%
from around 18.75 million tons (around 11.8 million tons, basis milled)
produced in the previous year. It estimates Philippines 2014-15 milled rice
exports at around 1.6 million tons, up about 10% from last year.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags:

Philippines Rice Production, philippine rice imports, Rice Self Sufficiency

Vietnam Rice Quotes Mixed; Other Asia Rice Quotes

Unchanged Today
Log in or register to post comments
Print
Aug 13, 2014
Oryza.com -
Vietnam rice sellers increased their quotes for 5% broken rice and 100% broken
rice by about $10 per ton each to around $450 - $460 per ton and around $345
- $355 per ton respectively and lowered their quotes for Jasmine rice by about
$5 per ton to around $590 - $600 per ton. Other Asia rice sellers kept their
quotes mostly unchanged today.
5% Broken Rice
Thailand 5% rice is quoted at around $445 - $455 per ton, about $5 per ton
discount to Vietnam 5% rice quoted at around $450 - $460 per ton, up about
$10 per ton from yesterday. India 5% rice is quoted at around $435 - $445 per
ton, about $10 per ton discount to Pakistan 5% rice quoted at around $445 -
$455 per ton.
25% Broken Rice
Thailand 25% rice was last quoted at around $350 - $360 per ton, about $55
per ton discount to Vietnam 25% rice quoted at around $405 - $415 per ton.
India 25% rice is quoted at around $390 - $400 per ton, about $5 per ton
discount to Pakistan 25% rice quoted at around $395 - $405 per ton.

Parboiled Rice
Thailand parboiled rice is quoted at around $445 - $455 per ton. India parboiled
rice is quoted at around $425 - $435 per ton, about $25 per ton discount to
Pakistan parboiled rice quoted at around $450 - $460 per ton.
100% Broken Rice
Thailand broken rice, A1 Super, was last quoted at around $310 - $320 per ton,
about $35 per ton discount to Vietnam broken rice quoted at around $345 -
$355 per ton, up about $10 per ton from yesterday. India broken sortexed rice
is quoted at around $340 - $350 per ton, about $15 per ton premium on
Pakistan broken sortexed rice quoted at around $325 - $335 per ton.

Log in or register to post comments

Print
Tags: Vietnam rice prices, India rice prices, pakistan rice prices, Thailand rice prices

USDA Forecasts U.S. 2014-15 Total Rice Exports at

4.94 Million Tons, Up 17% from Previous Year
Aug 13, 2014
Oryza.com -
USDA has forecasted the U.S. 2014-15 (August - July) total rice exports (rough
and milled equivalent of rough) at around 4.95 million tons, up about 17% from
an estimated 4.24 million tons in 2013-14 and about 2% more than its July
forecasts of around 4.85 million tons. While exports of rough rice are expected
to increase 15% over last year to around 1.54 million tons, exports of milled
equivalent of rough rice are expected to increase 17% to around 3.4 million
tons.
In its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), USDA
forecasts 2014-15 long-grain exports at around 3.4 million tons, up about 19%
from an estimated 2.86 million tons last year. It forecasts 2014-15 medium &
short-grain rice exports at around 1.54 million tons, up about 12% from an
estimated 1.38 million tons in the previous year.
USDA forecasts the U.S. total rice production to increase to around 10.38
million tons in 2014-15, up about 21% from an estimated 8.61 million tons in
2013-14. Most of the increase is in the long-grain rice production. The U.S.
agency forecasts production of long-grain rice to increase about 28% to around
7.68 million tons and production of medium & short-grain rice to increase about
3% to around 2.7 million tons.

USDA forecasts the U.S. 2014-15 total rice imports to decline to around
950,000 tons, down about 9% from an estimated 1.04 million tons in 2013-14
due to expected increase in production. With this the U.S total rice supply in
2014-15 is expected to increase 13% y/y to around 12.82 million tons. USDA
forecasts the U.S. 2014-15 ending stocks to increase 21% y/y to around 1.8
million tons.
USDA forecasts 2014-15 average farm price of the U.S long-grain rice to decline
to around $275.55 per ton from around $339.5 per ton. It forecasts 2014-15
average farm price of the U.S medium & short-grain rice to decline to around
$396.8 per ton from around $392.42 per ton.
Tags: U.S. Rice exports, U.S. rice imports, U.S. rice production, Long-grain rice, medium grain rice, Short grain rice

Vietnam Plans to Convert 260,000 Hectares of Rice

Area to Other Crops by 2015
Aug 13, 2014
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) of Vietnam is
planning to convert 260,000 hectares of rice area to other crops by 2015 under
the crop transformation plan 2014-2020, according to local sources.
Under the new plan, the MARD will work towards altering cultivation model in
the Mekong River Delta (MRD), which produces nearly 50% of Vietnam's rice,
from 'growing only rice' to 'growing rice and other crops as well as aquatic
breeding'. In the Red River Delta (RRD), Northern Mountainous and Midland,
and Northern Central Regions, the MARD will shift from rice to other crops such
as corn, soybean, sesame, peanut and vegetables. Similarly, Southern Central
Coastal region and Central Highlands region will shift from rice to corn and other
crops. The South-eastern region will move away from rice to grow flower,
ornamental trees and safe vegetables.The new plan is to strike a balance
between growing rice as well as other crops that have higher competitiveness
and economic value than rice, according to the MARD. According to USDA,
currently rice is grown in around 7.78 million hectares of cultivable land in
Vietnam.
Tags: Vietnam rice production, Vietnam rice exports, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
mujahid.riceplus@gmail.com

RICEPLUS MAGAZINE
www.ricepluss.com