Southern growers are just getting started on rice harvest and the numbers coming out of this season tell two very different stories at once: input costs are finally easing off their spring peaks, while a historic pullback in Arkansas rice acreage has pushed futures prices to levels not seen in years.
Read MoreFor the farmer who grew it, however, the economics are anything but simple. In June, the average retail price for uncooked, white long-grain rice was about $1.09 per pound nationwide and $1.21 per pound in the South, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Read MoreLouisiana rice harvest is picking up as weather conditions allow combines to move through fields, but lower prices and rising production costs are making it difficult for farmers to turn a profit.
Read MoreUSDA’s July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released July 10, projects U.S. rice production at its lowest level in nearly four decades. Total rice production is estimated at 153.3 million cwt, which would be the smallest crop since 1987.
Read MoreU.S. rice production is projected near a 40-year low, tightening supplies and lifting prices without restoring profitability for many growers. Mississippi State University Extension economist Will Maples says high costs continue to outweigh stronger market values.
Read MoreScientists highlighted the increasingly important role rice production plays in sustaining North America's migratory birds during the Waterfowl & Agriculture Field Day, organized by the Rice Stewardship Partnership and hosted at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center last week.
Read MoreGerard Frey is pleased with the rice coming through the combine this summer. He is less than satisfied with what that rice is worth.
According to Frey, a rice and crawfish farmer, first-crop rice harvest is going well. He operates with GX2 Farms, which has a little over half of their crop already in, and so far yields are generally reaching the high 40s and low 50s in barrels per acre.
Read MoreThe Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Read MoreThe 89th annual International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana, is scheduled for October 15-18, 2026, and organizers have released this year's entertainment lineup.
Read MoreThe International Rice Festival has named Jarrod Breaux its 2026 Farmer of the Year, an honor recognizing his contributions to one of Acadiana's most important industries.
Breaux describes farming as something that's always been there. Though he comes from a family with roots in agriculture, he built his operation independently after his father and grandparents left the industry.
Read MoreEarlier this week, ADM Rice confirmed the sale to Al Awees of two additional vessels of U.S. long grain milled rice totaling 88,000 metric tons. The shipments are scheduled to be loaded in September and November, providing a critical boost for U.S. long grain rice exports and bringing additional certainty to the market as the industry begins the 2026 harvest.
Read MoreMore than 100 USA Rice volunteer leaders gathered here last week for annual membership meetings, budget and policy discussions, and program reviews. During the two packed days, ten committees, seven boards of directors, one working group, and all six major rice producing state delegations met to set the industry’s course ahead.
Read MoreThe RICE Awards recognize individuals who embrace the values of Resilience, Innovation, Contribution and Excellence (RICE) in their work throughout the rice industry. If you know someone who exemplifies these characteristics, help us honor their incredible achievements by nominating them for a 2026 RICE Award.
Read MoreThis month’s 2026/27 U.S. corn outlook is for smaller supplies, greater exports, and reduced ending stocks. Corn beginning stocks are cut 125 million bushels to 2.0 billion, reflecting an increase in feed and residual use that is partly offset by a reduction in corn used for ethanol for 2025/26. Feed and residual use is raised 150 million bushels based on indicated disappearance in the June 30 Grain Stocks report.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station’s latest newsletter highlights current research, industry trends, and upcoming events in rice production.
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