On Friday, the Fourth of July holiday, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act, officially known as H.R. 1), which concluded a frenzied two weeks of legislating, lobbying, and advocacy aimed at getting the bill across the finish line. For rice farmers, there have been several key policy wins that USA Rice has been advocating for since the farm bill reauthorization process began in 2022.
Read MoreWith their two-year terms ending later this month, the chairs of two USA Rice governing boards handed their gavels to colleagues from other rice growing states. Fred Zaunbrecher, a rice and crawfish farmer from Acadia Parish in Louisiana was unanimously elected to serve as the new chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, taking over from Texas’s LG Raun, and California rice farmer Josh Sheppard handed the reins of the USA Rice Council Board of Directors to Mississippi’s Carter Murrell who farms in Washington County.
Read MoreAfter more than 24 hours of non-stop action in the U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson and White House leadership helped secure passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) by a vote of 218-214.
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 Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) hosted its 103rd Annual Convention here this weekend with record breaking participation and key discussions around critical challenges and opportunities for Louisiana agriculture. A longtime rice farmer and agricultural leader from Evangeline Parish, Richard Fontenot, was re-elected as the LFBF president for 2025 and presided over the convention.
Read MoreHundreds of growers and industry representatives took to rice fields around southwest Louisiana this week to hear the latest in research, crop assessment, acreage estimates, the impacts of recent wild weather, and more.
At the HorizonAg Field Day at the Richard Family Farm in Kaplan, the theme was collaboration and partnership. As Director of Sales Jason Satterfield said in opening remarks, “our success as a company is your success as growers.”
Read MoreAs rice harvesting in south Louisiana gears up for mid-July, experts are weighing in on the outlook for Acadiana farmers. Despite challenges like excessive rain and political influences, there is optimism in the air.
Peter Bachmann from the USA Rice Federation believes Louisiana's rice industry remains healthy. Ronnie Levy, a Louisiana rice specialist with the LSU AgCenter, echoed this sentiment, stating, "The rice crop looks good."
Read MoreLouisiana's rice crop is progressing well despite some early weather challenges. This update was shared at the 116th Annual Rice Field Day held at LSU's Rice Research Station in Crowley on Tuesday, June 24.
During the event, rice growers received insights from LSU AgCenter experts on improving rice production, including pest management strategies. The AgCenter reported that more than 461,000 acres of rice are cultivated in the state.
Read MoreWith harvest season rapidly approaching, rice farmers took a break from their own fields and converged on those at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station June 24 to hear from experts about the latest industry trends and to get updates on research aimed at helping them grow a better crop.
Although farmers are facing depressed commodity prices and are keeping their fingers crossed that recent rains won’t dampen their upcoming harvests, there was still plenty of good news to go around at the field day, which has been held annually at the station near Crowley for 116 years.
Read MoreThe LSU AgCenter hosted its annual Rice Field Day this week at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station offering farmers and students an inside look at the latest innovations in rice breeding, disease management, and production techniques. Among the highlights was the unveiling of Venus, a new medium-grain variety set for commercial release next year.
Read MoreLast week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), raising projections for both Indian rice production and U.S. rice imports for the 2025/2026 marketing year. These projections further illustrate the effects of India’s trade-distorting policies on global rice markets.
Read MoreRice remains an extremely important crop in Louisiana agriculture, ranking among the top four in acreage and value. Approximately 470,000 acres were planted in 2025. Louisiana per acre rice yields continue to show steady increases due at least in part to research activities funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board. Implementation of new technology developed through research efforts continues wide scale use in Louisiana rice production. This is critical in maintaining yield and quality increases, as well as increasing the economic viability of Louisiana rice production.
Read MoreFalcon Rice Mill in Crowley has launched a $6 million renovation that will increase efficiency and add 16 jobs.
The project, much of which is will launch next month, will include purchasing and installing new equipment that will improve workflow, increase energy efficiency and double its production capabilities, according to its application with Louisiana Economic Development.
Read MoreAgriCapture recently announced the third issuance of carbon credits from the largest rice methane reduction project in U.S. history. This newest issuance of 33,996 carbon credits includes the first of any agricultural credits to market from the 2024 growing season. These credits reward farmers for cutting methane emissions and conserving water through improved irrigation practices.
Read MoreHorizon Ag and USA Rice need your help to identify candidates worthy of being honored as recipients of the prestigious 2025 Rice Industry Awards at the Rice Outlook Conference in December 2025.
Read More
