Key facts
- USA Rice held annual membership meetings with over 100 volunteer leaders in Dallas.
- The U.S. rice industry is facing economic headwinds including high input costs and low market prices.
- Rice acreage planted in the U.S. is at its lowest point since the 1970s.
- New leaders were elected for two-year terms, with changes effective August 1, 2026.
- Discussions included efforts to improve grain quality, particularly for aromatic rice varieties.
USA Rice volunteer leaders convened in Dallas for their annual membership meetings, addressing significant economic challenges facing the U.S. rice industry. Discussions focused on high input costs, low market prices, supply chain disruptions, rising labor expenses, and market uncertainty, contributing to the lowest rice acreage planted since the 1970s.
Key topics included efforts to improve grain quality, particularly for the growing aromatic rice sector, which is expected to comprise nearly 50,000 acres in the 2026 crop. Newly released aromatic varieties and experimental lines were showcased.
New leadership was elected for two-year terms, with John Owen set to serve as USA Rice chair. Collin Holzhauer will chair the USA Rice Merchants’ Association, Todd Burich of ADM will lead the USA Rice Millers’ Association, and John Frederick Denison will chair The Rice Foundation. These leadership changes are effective August 1, 2026.