Rice Farmer John Owen says inflation and recent tariffs are undermining the 2018 farm bill and increasing the need for a new one.
“We’ve had about three years of prices that were below the cost of production,” Owen said. “We’ve gone, we’re almost three years without a meaningful farm bill. ”
Read MoreSeptember National Rice Month (NRM) is always a whirlwind of activity in Louisiana! There are so many celebrations, cooking contests, and charitable donations during NRM that they don't all fit. Stay tuned for the 88th International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana, October 16-19.
Read MoreA new partnership with the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop chain to promote National Rice Month (NRM) throughout September will increase consumer exposure to U.S.-grown rice and highlight the U.S.-grown difference to the restaurant’s customers.
Read MoreThe nation’s state secretaries, commissioners, and directors of agriculture gathered here last week for their annual conference and against the backdrop of a frightening ag economy, history was made.
Read MoreAverage yields, early season weather problems, overseas markets, imports, all add up to another rough season.
Read MoreUSA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Edward Hight Wild, who passed away September 16, 2025 at the age of 92. He was born on December 30, 1932 to Everett E Wild and Zella Hight Wild in Crowley, LA and was a 1950 graduate of Crowley High School, he attended and received his bachelor's degree from Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Agriculture and was an active member in ROTC. He married Helen Merle Todd of Carlyss, LA at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Maplewood, LA on December 27, 1953.
Read MoreThe U.S. rice industry has made impressive gains in sustainability over the last 40 years. Yet the crop is still at risk due to climate change, disease outbreaks, pests and human activity that can cause disturbances in production. The LSU AgCenter is continuing its research on rice sustainability, in large part thanks to a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Read MoreThis month’s 2025/26 U.S. corn outlook indicates greater supplies, larger exports, and a slight reduction in ending stocks. Projected beginning stocks for 2025/26 are 20 million bushels higher based on a lower use forecast for 2024/25, with reductions in imports and corn used for ethanol partially offset by an increase in exports. Corn production for 2025/26 is forecast at 16.8 billion bushels, up 72 million from last month as a 2.1-bushel reduction in yield to 186.7 bushels per acre is more than offset by a 1.3 million acre increase in harvested area to 90.0 million acres.
Read MoreFor those who remember taking part in the football game day tailgating cooking competition between Arkansas and Louisiana known as the “Rice Bowl,” mark your calendars because: it’s back! Plan to be on the campus of the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) on September 27 when the ULM Warhawks host the Arkansas State University (ARST) Red Wolves in Malone Stadium in a Sun Belt Conference showdown that promises to be delicious, no matter which team wins.
Read MoreThe rice delphacid is wreaking havoc across rice fields in Texas and has recently been spotted in Arkansas and Louisiana. The pest is also a vector of rice hojo blanca virus, which can damage rice plants above and beyond that caused by the insect directly.
Read MoreWhile insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop’s unique environmental qualities and the women and men who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice launched a Sustainability Award in 2018 to identify and promote prime examples.
Read MoreEarlier this week, USA Rice hosted a supply chain seminar here for 60 importers and millers from Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.
Read MoreHorizon Ag is further extending its portfolio with two new Provisia rice varieties and expects a limited launch of PVL05 and PVL06 in 2026. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag CEO, recently discussed the development of the new varieties along with what farmers can expect in terms of production and potential.
Read MoreThe Rice Delphacid (RD) is an invasive insect that has been a serious pest in rice in Central and South America and in the Caribbean. It was discovered in Texas in 2015 and has caused damage sporadically since that time. However, in 2025, the level of infestations and damage has increased significantly. The insect is also a vector of a disease called Rice Hojo Blanca Virus (RHBV).
Read MoreThe application period for the 2026 Rice Leadership Development Class ends today, September 5.
The 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 More
