Christobal Causes A Scare But Leaves No Scars In LA Rice Fields

By Kane Webb

USA Rice

The past few days had growers in the Gulf Coast region watching the weather and wondering what conditions Tropical Storm Cristobal would bring as forecast models had the storm tracking along the coastline.
 
Although never forecasted to become a major hurricane, you can never discount Mother Nature's potential -- a storm that has earned a name can be scary.  Making matters more intense for many farmers was a consensus that this year's rice crop along the Gulf Coast is looking more promising than it has in seasons past.

"With everything that has seemed to go wrong over the past few years, we feel like this year is going our way," said Christian Richard who operates Richard Farms in Kaplan.  "Everyone I've visited with says the rice really looks good and is maturing quickly without the various issues we've had to struggle through in previous few years."

Across Louisiana, growers mentioned experiencing minimal rain amounts with very little wind, indicating no damage or lodging of maturing rice, which was a big concern early on as the storm headed for landfall over last weekend.

"We are thankful as the effects were hardly noticeable," said Fred Zaunbrecher, of GF&P Farms in Crowley.  "Sure, we could have used more rain, but sometimes you get what you ask for:  to not feel the effects of a tropical storm at this stage of the season!"

Growers to the west in Texas were relieved as well, not that anyone wishes a storm on someone else.  According to crop consultant Glenn Crane, who works out of Houston, "the rice crop looks scary good this year."

Cristobal did move north, dumping 2-3 inches of rain on farmers in the hardest-hit areas of Arkansas, but fortunately there was little destruction.  Meanwhile, farmers along the Gulf Coast are looking ahead to the next 30 days and hope the only "scary" thing they face is a "scary good" rice crop.