For the he fourth year in a row, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation today announced a donation of a major sum to USA Rice. This year’s donation of USD 100,000 is aimed to support the organization’s Rice Stewardship Partnership-a public-private venture between USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, USDA, and supply chain partners that provides growers with technical and financial support to transition to more efficient irrigation, nutrient, and energy practices while creating wildlife habitat on working ricelands.
As the largest end user of rice in the country, Anheuser-Busch, the U.S. subsidiary of the world’s largest brewer AB InBev, sources all of its rice from American farmers, totaling more than USD 120 million of rice and nearly 20 million bushels (about 400,000 mt) last year alone. According to Anheuser Busch, “Rice helps provide the clean, crisp taste that has been a Budweiser trademark since its creation in 1876 and remains a prized ingredient in Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, among others.”
Anheuser-Busch owns 13 agricultural facilities across the country, including a rice facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas that mills more than 2.6 million pounds (1.180 mt) of rice per day. Over the last decade, the brewer has spent more than USd 5.5 billion purchasing rice, corn, barley and hops from American farmers.
“American farmers are the backbone of our industry, and we’re committed to helping them continue to develop their efficient practices and technologies,” said Kim Rogowski, Anheuser-Busch's Director of Agronomy. “Rice plays a critical role in the high quality and great taste of some of our most popular beers, and we’re proud to stand with USA Rice to help the industry thrive.”
The Rice Stewardship Partnership was formed in 2013 when USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited joined forces to magnify conservation impacts vital to the future of rice production and wetland habitat, and it has grown significantly with new partners and supporters, such as Anheuser-Busch.
