Spring at the Drier Network
As we move into spring and the start of another growing season, I want to thank each of you for the leadership you provide at the local level.
Dear Council Members,
As we move into spring and the start of another growing season, I want to thank each of you for the leadership you provide at the local level. The challenges facing rice farmers right now are real, and your willingness to stay engaged, share feedback, and represent your neighbors is more important than ever.
Handling a smaller crop doesn’t reduce the importance of execution; it increases it. From an operations standpoint, our focus remains on efficiency. In years like this, every bushel we handle matters, and the way we handle it matters even more. Changing acreage, tight margins, and market uncertainty all affect how we operate. As everyone knows, we carry a significant amount of fixed costs, and when bushels are not there to spread those costs, we must find ways to close that gap the best we can. We are actively working to develop a plan focused on efficiency while continuing to serve our members at the highest level possible during these uncertain times. These decisions are very intentional and designed to protect the long‑term strength of the cooperative and the value our members have built and own together.
Quality continues to be a top priority. As Kevin mentioned, demand is one of the biggest challenges facing our industry, and quality plays a major role in that equation. From harvest timing to moisture management and drying practices, the decisions made at the field and facility level directly affect our ability to compete in domestic and export markets. Our goal is to work alongside you to protect the value of your crop at every step.
Finally, I want to recognize the employees in all your facilities. Their commitment is essential to serving our members, especially in a year where margins are tight and uncertainty remains. Every bushel we receive, dry, store, mill, or ship happens because men and women show up every day and do the work. Often in tough conditions, long hours, and high‑pressure moments. When everything goes right, it can go unnoticed. But I can assure you, when something goes wrong, they are the ones standing in the heat, the dust, the cold, or the rain, making things happen. Equipment does not make decisions. Facilities do not solve problems. People do! And we are fortunate to have some of the best people in this industry on our team.
Thank you again for your service to Riceland and for the trust you place in our cooperative.
Please be on the lookout for an upcoming council meeting to be scheduled soon. This meeting will be held at your local office and will include an open forum, giving you the opportunity to bring up any topics, questions, or concerns you choose. I wish each of you a safe and successful planting season, and I look forward to working together in the months ahead. Please feel free to reach out at (870) 377-7207.
Nick Kelley
VP, Drier Division