Rice fields do more than feed people—they help fuel one of nature's greatest journeys. Along major migratory flyways, flooded fields act as surrogate wetlands, offering critical resting and feeding grounds for shorebirds and waterfowl. In Louisiana, rice farmer Joseph Arcaneaux manages his fields in ways that benefit birds without disrupting his operation.
Read MoreThe Rice Delphacid (RD) is an invasive planthopper that feeds on rice and other grasses. It was first recorded in Texas in 2015 and has since become a recurring rice pest in Texas rice belt. In Louisiana, RD was detected in July 2025 (first record in >70 years), with initial finds in Tensas Parish and later detections on ratoon rice across the state. This factsheet summarizes key identification and biology, typical damage symptoms, and guidance for scouting.
Read MoreArkansas’ rice crop this year is set to be the smallest in nearly 50 years. Drought, higher input costs, and lower commodity prices are among the factors that are driving down this year.
There’s one pest, however, that has plagued rice farmers since the 1880s — the rice stink bug. The insect reportedly causes up to $20 million worth of damage to rice crops in Arkansas each year, according to AgInnovation. In heavily infested fields, yields can drop by up to 10%.
Read MoreWhen a system works, there is little reason to change and many reasons to stick with success; any change in that system is often small things to improve efficiency.
Mississippi’s rice industry is not following that pattern.
Read MoreLouisiana is a top U.S. rice producer and exporter, with over 60% of its roughly 400,000-acre annual crop shipped internationally, valued at approximately $360 million.
One of those producers, Supreme Rice in Crowley, is the state’s largest rice milling operation. Supreme processes over 1 billion pounds of rice annually, and ships worldwide to more than 50 countries.
Read MoreLast week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R. 7567), which reauthorizes the remaining farm bill provisions that were not included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) last year. Congress made critical investments in the farm safety net in previous legislation, but H.R. 7567 spans all 12 titles of the farm bill and remains essential to supporting the rice industry and rural communities.
Read MoreGlobal rice supplies are expected to tighten this year as farmers across Asia reduce planting due to rising input costs and worsening weather conditions, raising concerns for food security and U.S. producers alike.
Read MoreRice delphacid struck hard and fast in 2025 amid an already challenging season. The tiny leafhoppers struck midseason, and farmers had no strategy for control, with delphacid being one of the few insects a pyrethroid application incites rather than ignites.
Read MoreThe Ag Investment for America coalition, launched two years ago with USA Rice as one of the original partners, held a Congressional and stakeholder briefing on Capitol Hill yesterday to highlight the benefits of the Grown in America Act (H.R. 1707) and review newly released economic analysis by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. The briefing included remarks and an update on the bipartisan bill by the lead sponsors Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Jim Costa (D-CA). There are currently 32 bipartisan cosponsors on the bill.
Read MoreCongressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) today led 16 of his Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, requesting broad-based, rice specific Section 301 trade investigations against countries unfairly harming our rice producers.
Read MoreLast week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) announced a significant new investment aimed at strengthening export opportunities for American agriculture. Through the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), a $285 million initiative, USDA/FAS is providing additional support to help U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers expand their reach in international markets and remain competitive globally. As part of this effort, USA Rice was awarded $5 million in funding to further its work promoting U.S.-grown rice abroad.
Read MoreEarlier this week, 17 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, encouraging him to consider a rice-specific Section 301 investigation into nations that are unfairly harming our domestic rice producers.
Read MoreUSA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Willie Cooper who passed away on April 9, at the age of 90.
Read MoreIn the southern U.S. rice growing region, rice planting is close to completion along the Gulf Coast and well underway and progressing further north.
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