AgFax Rice - Louisiana
By AgFax Media LLC, AgFax.com
OVERVIEW
Rice harvest continues to hit delays in southwest Louisiana and Texas after more rain fell over the last week. In places, growers were able to nibble away at some acreage during breaks in the weather.
So far, no Texas yield reports, and only 1% of the crop has been harvested. That's based on Friday's Texas A&M online rice survey page. In the same period in 2016 harvest had been completed on 6% of the crop, which also is in line with the state's long-term average for the week.
Louisiana Rice Specialist Dustin Harrell has collected a scattering of early yield reports from the southwestern parishes. See his comments for more details.
A small amount of draining has started in Mississippi.
LOUISIANA CROP REPORTS
Richard Griffing, Griffing Consulting, LLC, Monterey, Louisiana
"Some draining will actually start in 10 to 14 days. On the other end of things, 150 acres of our crop still haven't gone to flood yet. Generally, though, most of my rice is just now heading. Where rice is far enough along,
"I'm having to spray for rice stink bugs (RSB) and we've treated 100 acres twice (as of 7/17). RSB are certainly here but still aren't as bad as what they're reporting in Arkansas."
Dustin Harrell, Louisiana Rice Extension Specialist, LSU Rice Research Station, Crowley
"We've had rain someplace every day for the last 8 days (from 7/20). Over 7 inches have fallen in spots. But it's mostly been frequent pop-up showers, just enough in places to keep combines parked for part of the day.
"All that has slowed harvest progress. Today was actually the first day here at Crowley that we haven't had a rain event.
"Up until now, yield reports have mostly just trickled in, although I've received more feedback late in the week. Most reports so far have been about earlier varieties like CL 111 and Mermentau. On average, those seem to be in the mid 40s (barrels/acre). A couple went over 50, so that's looking pretty good. I'm also being told about yields at 40 or well below that.
"Just scanning through yield reports people have sent me by text messaging, I'm seeing some in the range of 48 to 54 barrels. When people tell me about bad yields, it tends to be by word of mouth, not something put into a text. So when I talk about overall averages, I'm figuring some of those lower yields in my estimates.
"Keep in mind, too, that the best yields tend to be the earliest yields.
"It looks like the weather will clear up for the next couple of days, and we should see more combines running. Chances for rain do go up over the weekend, but next week looks more open. Hopefully, we'll have good drying days so we don't rut up a lot of fields at harvest.
"The big news is that the U.S. signed the phytosanitary agreement with China, which opens the way to sell American rice into that market. That news hit today and prompted plenty of excitement in the industry. We hope those Chinese inspectors get here soon and inspect our facilities so we can start selling their country Louisiana rice."