BOOTHEEL FARMERS SHARING IN AMERICAN RICE SUCCESS STORY; MISSOURI 6TH LARGEST RICE-PRODUCING STATE

Rice production has doubled in the United States during the past decade, and all indicators are pointing to increased gains into the 1990s and beyond.

"Southeast Missouri farmers in two counties are sharing in the rice success story," says Joanne Leathe, a home economist with the USA Rice Council, headquartered in Houston, Tex. "Missouri is the 6th largest rice-growing state in the U.S."

About 90 per cent of Missouri rice is grown in two counties Stoddard and Butler County.

"About 400 Missouri farmers planted 65,000 acres of rice last year," said Leathe, who was in Cape Girardeau this week to discuss rice, its growth and future.

"A new rice research center opened this year in the Bootheel area, in the Glennonville community, between Malden and Qulin," said Leathe. "This is only the second farmer-owned rice research center in the U.S. The other center is located in California."

"The research center is funded by a rice checkoff by farmers," said Barry Sims, of the University of Missouri Delta Center, located at Portageville.

"The research plot is a valuable asset to farmers," said Sims. "Through this grower-supported research, rice breeders develop new rice varieties, enhancing the quality and quantity of rice."

"More than 24 rice varieties have been developed since the 1940s," said Leathe. "The goals of the research center is to increase production and reduce costs so U.S. rice growers will be able to compete and deliver a high quality product to consumers in the U.S. and around the globe."

Leathe said rice planting in Missouri was a little behind schedule.

"Most of the rice is planted, but it was late because of the wet weather conditions," she said. Rice is usually planted in Missouri in April or early to mid-May.

A rice mill is located in Southeast Missouri, at New Madrid. The Lewis Dreyfus Corp. started milling rice in late 1988.

Leathe said most of the U.S. rice is grown in the south-central gulf area. Arkansas is the number one rice producing state. Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are big rice producing states. California, however, is the second largest rice producer, noted Leathe.

"The U.S. has earned the reputation as a reliable supplier of high quality rice," said Lathe. "We've been promoting U.S. rice since the late 1950s, and consumers are always learning more about U.S. rice."

Leathe provided some rice statistics.

"Consumption of a rice has doubled in the past 10 years," she said. "A recent survey indicated that 72 percent of restaurants and institutions served rice every day."

She added that U.S. rice exports during the past marketing year were the second highest on record, reaching 2.8 million metric tons.

"You can find U.S. rice on tables in Turkey, Jordan and Mexico, just to name a few," she said.

"Rice is one of the most versatile foods on the menu today," said Leathe. "It can be used in soups, salads, as a main dish, side dish, or dessert."