The LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station’s latest newsletter highlights current research, industry trends, and upcoming events in rice production.
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On June 30, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), introduced the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 (SAWA or H.R. 9535), which would expand access to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program. The H-2A visa program, established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire temporary non-immigrant foreign workers when domestic labor is unavailable.
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Rice feeds more people than any other crop on Earth, supplying roughly one-fifth of all calories consumed globally and serving as a staple food for more than half the world’s population.
Yet breeding better rice varieties is becoming increasingly complicated.
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Earlier this week, a group of central Louisiana farmers met with state officials to discuss the recent flooding caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, which set a new record for 24 hours of rainfall in the state with just over 29 inches. The impacts of the storm are still being felt as water slowly recedes downstream, causing issues for low lying areas of cropland south of central Louisiana.
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USDA’s much-anticipated Acreage Report was released on June 30th. Corn acreage stayed large, but lower-than-expected corn and wheat stocks gave traders enough demand support to trigger relief buying and short-covering after a sharp June selloff.
Grain markets treated the Acreage and Grain Stocks reports as less bearish than the headline corn acreage number first suggested. USDA pegged corn planted area at 95.343 million acres, above the average pre-report trade estimate near 94.99 million acres, with harvested area for grain forecast at 87.434 million acres.
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After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Louisiana should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) parish office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.
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Last week, Louisiana rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher, who serves as chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, joined Arkansas rice farmers Tim and Robin Ralston and other agricultural leaders from across the country for dinner at the White House Rose Garden Club hosted by President Trump.
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The recent announcement from Riceland Foods that they were temporarily shuttering nine of 23 rice dryers was shocking. The fact that Producers’ Rice Mill has indicated they may pause operations at two of their dryers as well is confirmation that this is not a headline to skim past. Nor is it a sign of poor leadership – in fact, it’s the exact opposite. These are sound management decisions in a brutal year – and that should be a wake-up call for policymakers and legislators.
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Field days abounded earlier this week throughout rice country in southern Louisiana.
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Field days abounded earlier this week throughout rice country in southern Louisiana.
Kicking off the week was the RiceTec field day held in Iota on Tuesday, where attendees heard crop updates, developments to reduce pubescent hairs on rice panicles, as well as recommendations on herbicide applications.
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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) will introduce the Home Market Restoration Act of 2026 to protect Louisiana crawfish, shrimp, rice, catfish, and other American producers from unfair foreign competition. The legislation would establish tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on import-sensitive food and agricultural products to stop import surges, restore fair prices, and keep American producers in business without shutting down lawful trade.
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New varieties are one of the best ways farmers can stay ahead of the many challenges that come with growing rice. Next year, they’ll be able to plant two fresh releases from the LSU AgCenter that address key disease and grain quality issues.
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One of the most common observations during the early growing season is uneven crop growth within the same field. While some areas emerge quickly and develop vigorous canopies, others appear delayed or less uniform. These differences can be frustrating for producers, especially when planting conditions seemed favorable and management practices were applied uniformly across the field.
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Last week, the Louisiana Farm Bureau (LAFB) held its 104th Annual Convention here, featuring a host of speakers and panels focused on the challenges and opportunities facing producers in Louisiana.
Delegates also convened for official business and LAFB elections, including that of Richard Fontenot, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Ville Platte, who was reelected to serve his third term as president, and, of course, to share in the celebration of the newest LAFB Queen, Jean Treas from Tangipahoa Parish.
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The 2026/27 U.S. corn outlook remains virtually unchanged relative to last month. June’s WASDE report calls for fractionally higher beginning and ending stocks for 2026/27, reflective of mostly offsetting trade and domestic use changes for 2025/26 with adjustments to imports, corn used for ethanol, and exports based on data to date. The 2026/27 season-average farm price received by producers is unchanged at $4.40 per bushel.
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