ATTENTION ARKANSAS RICE FARMERS: Vernie Hubert to Highlight Farm Bill Discussion, Wednesday, February 26 in Brinkley, Arkansas

BRINKLEY, Ark., Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the recent passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (aka Farm Bill), the Arkansas Rice Growers Association is conducting an important and informative meeting on Wednesday, February 26 at the Brinkley Convention Center in Brinkley, Arkansas.  Registration will start at 8:30am and the meeting will begin at 9:00am.  Lunch will be served.

An excellent program for area rice farmers, the event will include the participation of Vernie Hubert, a well known figure in the circles of agriculture on Capitol Hill.  The meeting will cover all the commodity provisions of the Farm Bill and will include an open discussion so farmers have the opportunity to ask questions.  Mr. Hubert has more than 25 years experience with and in the federal government with a specific focus and expertise in agricultural policy.  A senior staff professional in both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate during this timeframe, Mr. Hubert served as the Minority Chief Counsel to the US Senate Ag Committee and Majority General Counsel & Majority Deputy Chief Counsel for the Senate Ag Committee.  Prior to moving to the Senate, Mr. Hubert spent 20 years as a professional staff member for the US House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture.  Mr. Hubert is currently employed by Cornerstone Government Affairs in Washington DC, an office that specializes in agriculture policy and provide strategic advice and practical assistance with federal decision-makers to develop solutions for today's challenges.  A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mr. Hubert has a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law.

Other important presentations for rice farmers include a rice market report from Dennis DeLaughter of Vantage RM.  A popular speaker at numerous conferences, Mr. DeLaughter is a rice farmer himself and a member of the Chicago Board of Trade.  He will take a look at the current rice market and where he expects it will go in the next 12-24 months.

Gary Billups of Crippen International will introduce the PAZ rice quality sampling machine, a new technology for measuring rice grades for consistent results.  The Arkansas Rice Growers Association has made an serious effort to find a more consistent method of grading farmers' rice at the various locations where farmers sell their rough rice.  There will be a PAZ machine for demonstration.

The program will also include Dr. Jarrod Hardke, an agronomist with the University of Arkansas Rice Extension Service will talk about rice production and Paul Byrd, an attorney will discuss legal issues that are important to farmers. ARGA's Greg Yielding will update the audience on the US-China rice protocol effort and related activities of the US Rice Producers Association.

The US Rice Producers Association, representing rice farmers in Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, California, Arkansas and Louisiana, is the only organization solely representing the views of U.S. rice farmers.

SOURCE US Rice Producers Association