National Rice Month In Louisiana Culminates With Food Bank Donation
This past weekend, the last in National Rice Month, included several events, some tried and true and one that revives an old tradition in a new rivalry.
In Crowley, at the 88th International Rice Festival (IRF) Rice and Gravy Cook Off, IRF Farmer of the Year Eric Unkel competed for the coveted prize of best rice and gravy dish against a host of teams, all while promoting the annual donation to Second Harvest Food Banks of southwest Louisiana. Crowley Mayor Chad Monceaux joined Unkel at the presentation made possible by Falcon Rice Mill, Farmers Rice Mill, Supreme Rice Mill, and the Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LARGA).
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Louisiana Rice Production Handbook
Rice is one of the world’s most important cereal crops. Cereal crops are members of the grass family (Gramineae or Poaceae) grown for their edible starchy seeds. The term “cereal” is derived from the Greek goddess, Ceres or “giver of grain.” Rice and wheat are two of the most important cereal crops and together make up the majority of the world’s source of calories. They feed the world.
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Researchers Race to Find Solutions to Rice Delphacid Invasion
The spread of rice delphacid, an invasive pest, is threatening rice production in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.
With no economically viable solutions to control it, Texas A&M AgriLife experts and Extension partners led by USA Rice have created a multistate task force to find some.
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September 28 Louisiana Crop Report
According to USDA, as of last Sunday, 96 percent of the Louisiana soybean crop was coloring, 93 percent dropping leaves, 88 percent mature and 78 percent has now been harvested. The bean crop is reported at two percent excellent, 20 percent fair and 78 percent good.
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Fall Field Prep Boosts Early Rice Planting Success
Timing is the most important element in a maximally efficient rice crop. Planting early is the key element to producing top yield, and it all begins with fall field prep.
Ron Levy, Louisiana State University Extension rice specialist, is a firm believer in preparing a fall foundation for infallible spring rice planting.
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North Louisiana Farmer On The Status Of The Rice Industry
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. ”
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Rice Celebrates Rich Tradition In Louisiana During National Rice Month
September 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.
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Rice to Meet You: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Introduces Customers to U.S.-Grown Rice
A 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.
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The Rice Stuff Among the Record-Setting Crowd At NASDA
The 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.
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Southwest Louisiana Rice Farmer On 2025 Harvest
Average yields, early season weather problems, overseas markets, imports, all add up to another rough season.
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In Memory: Edward Hight Wild
USA 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.
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LSU AgCenter Furthers Rice Research with New Grant
The 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.
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Market Update for Corn, Soybeans, Rice, and Cotton: September 2025
This 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.
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Rice Rivalry Returns To College Football
For 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.
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Emergency Delphacid Threat on The Rice Stuff Podcast
The 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.
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