As rice harvesting in south Louisiana gears up for mid-July, experts are weighing in on the outlook for Acadiana farmers. Despite challenges like excessive rain and political influences, there is optimism in the air.
Peter Bachmann from the USA Rice Federation believes Louisiana's rice industry remains healthy. Ronnie Levy, a Louisiana rice specialist with the LSU AgCenter, echoed this sentiment, stating, "The rice crop looks good."
Read MoreLouisiana's rice crop is progressing well despite some early weather challenges. This update was shared at the 116th Annual Rice Field Day held at LSU's Rice Research Station in Crowley on Tuesday, June 24.
During the event, rice growers received insights from LSU AgCenter experts on improving rice production, including pest management strategies. The AgCenter reported that more than 461,000 acres of rice are cultivated in the state.
Read MoreWith harvest season rapidly approaching, rice farmers took a break from their own fields and converged on those at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station June 24 to hear from experts about the latest industry trends and to get updates on research aimed at helping them grow a better crop.
Although farmers are facing depressed commodity prices and are keeping their fingers crossed that recent rains won’t dampen their upcoming harvests, there was still plenty of good news to go around at the field day, which has been held annually at the station near Crowley for 116 years.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter hosted its annual Rice Field Day this week at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station offering farmers and students an inside look at the latest innovations in rice breeding, disease management, and production techniques. Among the highlights was the unveiling of Venus, a new medium-grain variety set for commercial release next year.
Read MoreLast week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), raising projections for both Indian rice production and U.S. rice imports for the 2025/2026 marketing year. These projections further illustrate the effects of India’s trade-distorting policies on global rice markets.
Read MoreRice remains an extremely important crop in Louisiana agriculture, ranking among the top four in acreage and value. Approximately 470,000 acres were planted in 2025. Louisiana per acre rice yields continue to show steady increases due at least in part to research activities funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board. Implementation of new technology developed through research efforts continues wide scale use in Louisiana rice production. This is critical in maintaining yield and quality increases, as well as increasing the economic viability of Louisiana rice production.
Read MoreFalcon Rice Mill in Crowley has launched a $6 million renovation that will increase efficiency and add 16 jobs.
The project, much of which is will launch next month, will include purchasing and installing new equipment that will improve workflow, increase energy efficiency and double its production capabilities, according to its application with Louisiana Economic Development.
Read MoreAgriCapture recently announced the third issuance of carbon credits from the largest rice methane reduction project in U.S. history. This newest issuance of 33,996 carbon credits includes the first of any agricultural credits to market from the 2024 growing season. These credits reward farmers for cutting methane emissions and conserving water through improved irrigation practices.
Read MoreHorizon Ag and USA Rice need your help to identify candidates worthy of being honored as recipients of the prestigious 2025 Rice Industry Awards at the Rice Outlook Conference in December 2025.
Read MoreLoveland Products, Inc. (LPI) and Dyna-Gro Seed, Nutrien Ag Solutions’ proprietary products businesses, have announced the success of their ongoing collaboration with the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter through the LPI Research Station Support Fund—a targeted initiative accelerating innovation in rice breeding and early-stage agricultural research.
Read MoreUSA Rice is bringing rice to the big screen—and beyond—through an innovative virtual reality (VR) experience now captivating thousands of moviegoers in Mexico. The interactive game, Harvest Rush, is currently running at Cinépolis movie theaters in Luna Park and Perisur in Mexico City, offering an immersive way for consumers of all ages to connect with U.S.-grown rice.
Read MoreNearly 50 individuals participated here in an Executive Roundtable on U.S.-Mexico Agricultural Trade and Transportation. The newly arrived U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ron Johnson, marked his first public event by opening up the meeting and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristá, highlighted the interdependent nature of both countries noting how they complement, rather than compete with one another.
Read MoreThe event will give visitors a chance to hear from AgCenter experts about their work to improve rice production and see station research plots firsthand. Field tours, which will be offered from 7 to 8:30 a.m., will cover variety breeding, pest management and agronomic issues.
Read MoreI am a second-generation farmer from Eunice, and we produce rice, soybeans and crawfish.
Farmers can respond to market changes, and we support our leaders to re-balance global trade and eliminate waste in federal spending. But, as Congress begins work on budget reconciliation and a new Farm Bill, I am concerned that potential cuts to agricultural conservation programs could have unintended consequences for American farmers and our nation’s food independence.
Read MoreAnother rice sale to Iraq has hit the books, with 44,000 MT of U.S. long grain aiming to set sail later this fall. This brings the total U.S. rice sales to Iraq to 220,000 MT contracted for 2025 deliveries.
Iraq is consistently a top ten export market for U.S. rice and the second largest market for long grain milled rice, however, changes in financing there had caused delays in Iraq’s rice purchases for a time.
