Louisiana Rice Harvest Moving Quickly

By Don Molino, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reporting Louisiana leads the nation in the amount of rice harvested so far this season at 59% compared to the five year average of 42%.  Texas isn't far behind at 52%.

Nationally 12% of this year's rice harvest has been completed, three points ahead of the five-year average and equal to this time last season.

Overall, says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the crop condition is pretty well locked in.

"We did see a one part decline this past week to 71`% good to excellent and a one point increase to 7% poor to very poor. But the rice crop is looking better now than a year ago."

This week's Louisiana Crop Progress and Condition Report rates Louisiana's rice crop at 10% excellent, 55% good, 25% fair and 10% poor.