The Arkansas Rice Council and Arkansas Rice Producers’ Group joint annual meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 23, at the Brinkley Convention Center.

The program will include USA Rice Federation reports on promotion programs and results, with international markets featured this year, as well as government affairs activities and the outlook for the farm bill. The annual USA Rice financial report to the Arkansas rice industry also will be presented.

“We hold this meeting each year for the important purpose of reporting to the Arkansas rice industry how promotion funds are put to work and on other critical activities undertaken by the USA Rice Federation throughout the year on our behalf,” said Arkansas Rice Council President Robert Petter.

The rice industry’s action plan to eliminate Liberty Link traits from the U.S. rice supply and restore market confidence also will be covered on this year’s program, Petter said.

“This issue has affected our international markets and addressing it has been a top priority for the USA Rice Federation,” Petter said. Arkansas rice merchant Brian King led an industry-wide committee established by USA Rice. Dr. Charles Wilson with the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, will discuss the plan’s education and information initiative at the Brinkley meeting, Petter said.

“I encourage all Arkansas rice growers and others with a stake in our state’s rice industry to attend the annual meeting. It’s an excellent opportunity to get the latest information on issues that are important to all of us,” Petter said.

Results of the Arkansas Rice Council board election will be announced, as well as the newly selected 2007 Rice Leadership Development Class. The new Miss Arkansas Rice also will be presented.

The meeting will conclude with lunch and door prize drawings.

For more information on the meeting, contact Chuck Wilson, Arkansas director of field services for USA Rice, at (870) 673-7541, cwilson@usarice.com.

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.