Louisiana all wheat stored in off farm storage facilities on September 1, 2024 totaled 6.92 million bushels, up 28 percent from a year ago. United States all wheat stored in all positions on September 1, 2024 totaled 1.99 billion bushels, up 12 percent from a year ago. On farm stocks are estimated at 664 million bushels, up 11 percent from last September. Off farm stocks, at 1.32 billion bushels, are up 13 percent from a year ago.
Read MoreComfortable early fall temperatures provided an ideal backdrop for a field day held Sept. 26 at Richard Farms in Kaplan, where attendees got a firsthand look at LSU AgCenter research projects focused on conservation practices.
Richard Farms, a rice and crawfish operation, is one of the model farms where AgCenter scientists are conducting research as part of a grant from the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.
Read MoreSeptember National Rice Month is always a whirlwind of activity in Louisiana! There are so many celebrations, cooking contests, and charitable food donations during NRM that they don't all fit. Stay tuned for the 87th International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana, October 17-20.
The Cal Cam Rice Growers Association and the Port of Lake Charles partnered again this year for their annual cooking contest where students from several southwest Louisiana parishes compete with their rice dishes for prizes and tour the Port of Lake Charles during the judging session.
Read MoreIn Louisiana, the changing seasons bring a unique agricultural rhythm where rice and crawfish coexist.
Rice farmer Marty Frey at Four Oaks farm says it's a year-round process between growing and harvesting the rice, then catching the crawfish.
Read MoreDes Woods is a vibrant man who is one of a vanishing breed of rice farmers.
Woods is one of only four remaining farmers in the area still involved in rice production – the others are Clayton Pederson, Johnny Colvin and David Welch, he said.
Although Woods has been involved in rice farming himself for 60 years, his family’s involvement started even earlier – in 1931, when his father J. D. Woods and uncles Ray and Richard planted their first crop off what is now Woods Road after moving from Louisiana in 1929.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter and H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station is hosting the 2025 Rice Technical Working Group Meeting in New Orleans on February 17 – 20, 2025. The Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) convenes every two years, bringing together research and extension faculty, as well as rice industry professionals. The purpose of the group is to exchange information, engage in cooperative planning, and periodically review all phases of rice research and extension conducted by rice states, the federal government, and cooperating agencies.
Read MoreWe recently sat down with Farmer Kyle, a dedicated Louisiana farmer who has been working with the Farmers Rice Milling Co. for over 30 years. As one of the key figures in Farmers Rice operations, Kyle has witnessed the evolution of the company and the industry firsthand. During our conversation while on the tractor plowing fields, Kyle shared his experiences, the changes in farming practices, and what it truly means to be a part of the Farmers Rice family.
Read MoreOn Monday, September 23, 2024, the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana received a donation in honor of September being National Rice Month. Officials reported that 4Sisters Rice Farm of Mer Rouge, La. donated several pallets of rice.
Read MoreUSA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Larry Lawson, who passed away last Friday, September 20, one day before his 80th birthday.
A native of Crowley, Louisiana, Larry dedicated his life to farming rice, soybeans, and crawfish. He graduated from Crowley High School in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from the University of Southwest Louisiana.
Combines are running in Arkansas and Missouri. Meanwhile, Louisiana is tending to the ratoon crop and cotton is ready to be picked in Mississippi.
Paul Johnson completed his main rice harvest on Aug. 10 in Welch, La. Once he harvested the main crop, rice stubble was fertilized and flooded for regrowth, and he will manage the ratoon crop until mid-October.
Read MoreFor many cotton growers, hurricane/tropical storm Francine has thrown a wrench in cotton defoliation and harvest plans. Prior to Francine, there were many reports of cotton lodging, or “laying over”. This was most likely due to the fruit shed event Louisiana experienced in August. After shedding fruit in the lower canopy, cotton plants became heavier further up the canopy as bolls continued to develop and mature. As the bolls grew, the plant became heavier.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Economic Development Partnership appointed 11 board members to help promote economic growth throughout the state, and one of them resides in Morehouse Parish.
Meryl Kennedy Farr, the chief executive officer of Kennedy Rice Mill and 4Sisters Rice in Mer Rouge, is now sitting on the board that was established by ACT 590 in the 2024 legislative session, which is known as the “Positioning Louisiana to Win” bill.
Read MoreLast week, the Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) hosted a virtual briefing titled, “U.S.-Cuba Cooperation on Food and Climate Security: Opportunities for Growth.” Among the five expert panelists was Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice senior director for international promotion for the Western Hemisphere, who provided valuable insights into U.S. rice industry perspectives on trade and collaboration with Cuba.
Read MoreLast week, USA Rice kicked off September’s National Rice Month (NRM) with a slew of promotional activities and promotions aimed at raising awareness of domestic rice and paying homage to those responsible for producing it.
Thirty-four years ago, September was designated as National Rice Month through an official act of Congress and presidential proclamation to honor the more than 125,000 individuals responsible for producing, milling, handling, and processing U.S.-grown rice, highlighting the cultural, nutritional, and economic importance of U.S.-grown rice, and showcasing the domestic rice industry.
Read MoreThe 2024/25 U.S. corn outlook calls for smaller supplies and a modest decline in ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2024/25 are 55 million bushels lower based on increases in exports and corn used for ethanol for 2023/24. Corn production for 2024/25 is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, this estimate is a 39 million bushel increase from last month’s projections. This production increase was the result of a 0.5-bushel increase in yield from previous estimates to 183.6 bushels per acre. Harvested area for grain is unchanged at 82.7 million.
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