Negotiations continue on another round of relief although there is much finger pointing and blame from both parties as they search for common ground. The House version of relief, the HEROES Act, costs nearly $3.5 trillion, while the Senate version of relief, the HEALS Act, costs approximately $1 trillion. From a federal budget standpoint both bills are generally considered emergency spending and therefore add to the current federal debt of somewhere around $23 trillion. The difference in the cost of the bills highlights the different approaches to relief, with Democrats supporting a more expansive response, while Republicans are proposing a more limited approach.

Two major sticking points appear to be Republican opposition to extending the $600 weekly unemployment benefit, which Republicans say provides a disincentive for workers to return to their jobs, and Democratic opposition to liability protection for employers from virus-related medical claims, which Democrats say would deprive workers of legal rights when they return to their jobs.

With a scheduled August recess beginning the end of next week, it is highly uncertain if Congressional leaders will be able to reach a bipartisan aid deal to address the pandemic by the end of next week. The Administration has proposed going forward with a modest coronavirus aid package which would extend unemployment benefits expiring this week, along with a moratorium on evictions from federally backed housing. The proposal would provide some immediate relief for two of the most pressing concerns while allowing more time for negotiations on a larger response package. Reports indicate that it was met with little support/enthusiasm.

For all the differences contained in the HEROES/HEALS proposals there are areas of agreement, such as another round of direct payments to individuals, tax credits for companies to keep workers on payroll, and aid to families with children, to name just a few.

Both HEROES and HEALS contains ag directed relief. A major difference is the approach taken in the HEALS Act. For example, the agriculture provisions contained in the HEALS Act largely leaves the details of providing the $20.5 billion for agricultural producers, growers, and processors impacted by the coronavirus up to the Secretary of Agriculture. There are those who would prefer to provide more direction to the Secretary in the provision of funding.

It is important to remember, the HEALS Act is the opening position of Senate Republicans. There is a whole negotiating process before them which will involve both chambers of Congress and the Administration. One would expect that neither HEROES or HEALS agriculture provisions will be the final action for agriculture relief.

By: Dr. M.O. Way, Prof. of Entomology, Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Ctr.

Well, the Texas Rice Belt survived Hurricane Hannah, but rain from the storm came at an inopportune time. Texas rice farmers are in the middle of cutting their crop, so now many fields are muddy, but farmers need to continue cutting rice which ruts up fields for the ratoon crop. However, preliminary yield estimates look very good, so far.

Just want to briefly talk about an insect farmers commonly ask me about. Usually, farmers see the egg mass of this insect which is harmless to rice but can be painful to humans! The insect is a deer fly (Order Diptera: Family Tabanidae). The eggs are laid in a mass (like shingles on a roof) on rice foliage, usually near the tip of a leaf. The eggs hatch and the larvae drop into the water where they feed on detritus and small aquatic invertebrates… not on rice plants. They can be easily confused with stem borer egg masses, but deer fly egg masses are very dark and the individual eggs are spindle shaped and narrow. Once the aquatic larvae pupate and emerge as adults, the females seek a blood meal to produce eggs. We all know deer and horse flies have painful bites using mouthparts that slice your skin causing blood to ooze out of the wounds. They then lap up the blood. The males feed on pollen.

So, if you see these egg masses, squash ‘em!

To accommodate the global travel restriction and adapt to rapidly developing cloud technology, USRPA is looking forward to its first public virtual event via Zoom in China on Wednesday 10 am -12 pm August 26th, 2020 (US Central time is Tuesday, August 25, 9-11pm). 

The educational seminar on US rice will be the first of a series virtual events that will benefit both international rice buyers as well as US companies that are particularly interested in expanding their global markets.    

 

The seminar has so far attracted dozens attendees in China which primarily consist of rice importers, food processors and Chinese rice industry leaders. This 2 hour event will begin with presentation on latest US rice market, and different topics presented by renowned industry speakers followed by a Q&A session. USDA FAS has also accepted the invitation and will be one of the guest speakers. 

 

China is open to US rice thanks to the efforts of USRPA, the first rice organization to venture into this market. After the successful completion of trade mission in China in 2019, USRPA continues to monitor the market, communicate to trade contacts and plans to conduct promotional programs.

The seminar is free and open to all interested rice industry. Live translation in subtitles will be available.   

USRPA continues adapting its promotional programs to continue expanding the message that U.S. rice is nutritious, economical, and the perfect grain for Mexicans diet especially during this time where COVID-19 is changing everyone's lives.

On August 3rd, we will kick-off the first Virtual Rice Class in Mexico! The webinar series consists of 5 modules with Mexican, Asian, European, Latin and, American dishes using U.S. long-grain rice. Melissa Morelos, Professional Chef, Influencer, and Finalist of Master Chef Mexico will be in charge of creating and sharing various recipes offering an innovative and different culinary learning experiences to the audience.

The classes will be uploaded on a free online platform where participants will need to login to attend the Master Class. USRPA, along with the webinar, continues with its social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram.