DEXTER -- Domestic rice programs and marketing will be among topics at the Missouri Rice Council meeting to be held tonight at the Eagles Club in Dexter.

Richard Myers, USA Rice Federation vice president of domestic market promotions, will be keynote speaker at the 7 p.m. meeting. Reports on the Missouri Rice Research & Merchandising Council will also be presented.

All Missouri rice growers and other interested in the state's rice industry are expected to attend the meeting.

Missouri ranks sixth in U.S. rice production.

Rice production last year was about 5 million hundredweight, down 16 percent from 1995, when production was 5.94 cwt.

The 90,000 acres harvested last year, however, produced a state record 5.55 pounds per acre, 250 pounds more than the 1995 average.

More than 112,000 acres of rice were harvested in 1995, with an average yield of 5,300 pounds an acre.

Production totaled 171 million cwt nationwide, with a record yield of 6,121 pounds per acre, about 500 pounds more than the 1995 national average.

Estimates put the number of rice growers at 300 to 400 in Missouri, with more than 90 percent of the crop raised in two counties -- Butler and Stoddard.

Butler is the biggest rice-producing county, with more than 50,000 acres a year. Stoddard County usually raises from 30,000 to 35,000 acres.

Rice is also grown in Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Ripley counties.

Missouri is only one of seven states that raises the crop. Nationally, more than 3 million acres a year are planted.

Arkansas is the nation's top rice-producing state, producing about two-thirds of all U.S. rice.

Other rice-producing states are California, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Florida. Arkansas ranks first in rice production, accounting for about 40 percent of the nation's rice.

Farmers are already looking to 1997 crops.

Rice is usually planted between April 15 and May 30

Riceland is covered with 2 to 3 inches of water during most of the growing season to inhibit weed and grass growth. As the rice grows, the water level is raised via use of irrigation canals. When the rice is mature, the water is drained from the field and the crop harvested using combines with special headers.