Area rice farmers learn new ways with an old trade

MALDEN, Mo. -- Rice farmers got down to the basics of their trade Thursday at the Missouri Rice Farm Field Day, as rice experts discussed how to deal with obstacles that come with growing the grain and recent developments in its research.

The 21st annual Rice Research Farm Field Day was presented by the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council with assistance from Southeast Missouri State University. The event took place at the Missouri Rice Research Farm west of Malden, Mo. Rice producers from Southeast Missouri and surrounding areas, including a family from Ohio and farmers from western Tennessee, boarded wagons pulled by tractors that made stops around the rice fields.

Rice-farming experts from Southeast Missouri State University, the University of Missouri Delta Center, the Missouri Rice Council and others gave presentations on such topics as soil health, preventing chemical spray drift, arsenic and new technology.

Dr. Michael Aide, chairman of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast, gave a presentation on reducing arsenic in rice.

Arsenic is found in soil, and the element remains a problem for some rice producers around the world, including Bangladesh, he said. In Missouri, arsenic is present but not enough to be a problem, and therefore is not a worry.

"Missouri rice won't have any problem passing standards," Aide said.

Arsenic is a leading cause of bladder cancer, and can be found in other food such as grapes and apples, he said. But Missouri's rice is "pretty pristine."

"We grow a healthy product, we are happy with it, and it's guaranteed to meet the standards" for healthy growth and consumption, Aide said.

Dr. Indi Braden, a professor of agriculture at Southeast, made clear the importance of the industry during her demonstration for soil mapping.

"Agriculture production and businesses have an obligation and are expected to maintain food security," she said.

Rice crops worldwide feed an estimated 2 billion of about 7 billion people who live on the planet, said Dr. Donn Beighley, a rice research fellow for the Department of Agriculture at Southeast, in a presentation on the varieties of rice.

Rice farmers not only produce food for the quality and health of other people's lives, but to support their own.

John French has farmed rice and soybeans at a farm in Neeleyville, Mo., with partner Parker Williams since 1994. This is not the first time the two have participated in Rice Farm Field Day, and they learn something new each time they attend.

Williams said coming to the event gives farmers information to make their operations more efficient and profitable.

"It enhances the industry as a whole," he said.

French said learning about the conservation and environmental techniques is especially useful to rice farmers because it's their money that funds the projects.

"We make our living off the ground," he said. "Farmers are at the forefront because that's our living."

French and Williams agreed their soybean and rice crops were good this year, and they had the rain to thank for it.

Aide said he had a bigger rice crop this year compared to last year, but he probably will make less money because rice production increased worldwide. The law of supply and demand means the price of rice will fall, he said.

Aide said local farmers do not compete against each other as much as they compete at the international level, and this is where the rice research farm comes in handy.

The Missouri Rice Research Farm provides an environment for new developments in the agricultural and business side of things.

"They both come together here to improve farmers' profitability and bottom line," Aide said.

The Missouri Rice Research Farm is the only farmer-owned research farm in the nation, creating a different business model for its operation.

The "excellent cooperation" between Southeast and the University of Missouri Delta Center not only furthers the advancement of rice research, but helps experts stay connected on an international level, he said.

"Everyone here is more globally connected than the average citizen," Aide said, adding it is normal for members of the Missouri Rice Council to travel to foreign countries to negotiate rice contracts.

Aide said more rice producers attended Thursday's rice field day compared to past years, meaning awareness of the farm is growing.

Rice farming experts showed that behind one grain of rice, there are hours of research, farming and man-hours.

"Rice is our life," French said.

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