I 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.
The 2025 Horizon Ag Field Day, scheduled for June 23 at Richard Farms in Kaplan, is the place to be for updates on the top rice varieties planted in Louisiana this season as well as new Provisia® lines expected to be available in 2026.
Read MoreThe global rice market in the last two years has been a rollercoaster driven mostly by India’s export restrictions and, since October of last year, by its massive rice crop. India’s production performance has been remarkable, breaking a new production record every year for the last ten years.
Read MoreLast Wednesday, during the USA Rice fly-in, attendees split into two groups to visit policymakers on Capitol Hill and the Trump Administration.
A separate delegation also met with Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to thank him for his continued support on issues in Iraq, Haiti, and other trade priorities. As a Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Cassidy is well positioned to represent the rice industry to the Administration’s various trade entities.
Read MoreThe afternoon session of this week’s USA Rice Trade Fly-in sparked excellent conversation and policy analysis and debate from attendees and distinguished guests.
Staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Iraq desk and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff responsible for Iraq shared the U.S. government’s view towards the U.S.-Iraq relationship, in which normal and growing trade and U.S. rice play a major role today and going forward.
Read MoreThis week, more than two dozen industry leaders representing the rice farmer, merchant, and milling sectors traveled here to meet with Washington trade experts, hear policy updates, and advocate for leveling the global playing field on trade.
Read MoreDr. Steve Linscombe spent more than three decades as a rice breeder and he and his team are responsible for some of the most successful and sought after rice varieties throughout the world. Now Steve co-hosts a podcast (among other things) but there’s nobody better suited to lead a deep dive into rice seed production.
Read MoreThe 2025/26 U.S. corn outlook is for record supplies and total use, and higher ending stocks. The corn crop is projected at 15.8 billion bushels, up 6 percent from a year ago on increases to both area and yield. Planted area of 95.3 million acres if realized would be the highest in over a decade. The yield projection of 181.0 bushels per acre is based on a weather-adjusted trend assuming normal planting progress and summer growing season weather.
Read MoreAs we approach mid-May, most rice growers have their 2025 rice crop in the ground. Overall, reports have this year’s crop looking fairly decent but inclement weather, including severe storms and flooding in some areas of the south over the last few weeks, continues to cause delays in getting the last few acres in the ground.
Read MoreThe 2025 soybean planting season in Louisiana began favorably, with 80% of the crop planted by May 4th, significantly ahead of the 5-year average of 54%. However, recent heavy rainfall has introduced concerns. Late April storms caused flooding in some fields, necessitating replanting in certain areas.
Read MoreBrazilian rice exports to Central America are keeping expectations high and are a formidable incentive for southern Brazilian states’ farmers to prepare for another crop year, according to Fedearroz, the industry’s strong lobby.
Read MoreNominate an outstanding consultant for the Rice Consultant of the Year Award. It is helpful to include background information about the consultant and support letters from people who know him or her.
“Corteva Agriscience™ is committed to rice consultants and the key role they play in agronomic guidance and support,” said Drew Clark, Corteva Agriscience portfolio marketing lead, rice and cereals.
Read MoreBurt Tietje is a third-generation Louisiana rice farmer, who now spends half of his time harvesting crawfish.
The German grain farmers who settled in Jefferson Davis Parish discovered that crawfish and rice are a great combination, not only in a bowl of etouffee, but also on the farm. At Tietje’s Tallgrass Farm in Roanoke, nearly half the acreage is now used for crawfish.
Read MoreThe Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter and College of Agriculture hosted their second annual AgExcellence Awards Ceremony last Friday to celebrate leaders whose contributions have significantly advanced the LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture's mission.
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