Rice is a point of pride in Japan, and the choice was a break from the typical diplomatic practice of showcasing local ingredients.
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“Y’all sure go through a lot of trouble to get your rice. We just buy it at the store.”
So were the words of a young cousin of Louisiana Rice Promotion Board chair Kane Fontenot when first introduced to the rice harvesting process. Fontenot recounted the story to high schoolers from 15 parishes across the state at the pilot Growing Careers
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Earlier today, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the launch of a Section 301 investigation into China’s compliance with the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement (Phase One Agreement) achieved and signed by the first Trump Administration in January 2020.
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Tens of thousands of attendees to the 88th International Rice Festival (IRF), held here from Thursday through Sunday last week, experienced the theme, “Rice Reigns,” at every turn.
The word “rice,” and images of rice in all stages adorn every inch of this town, from the Rice Theatre in the center of town to the Rice Palace Restaurant and Acadia Rice Arena just north of town to the new city logo and the banners hanging from every light post. This is a town that appreciates the Louisiana rice industry and knows how to celebrate it.
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Rice season is in full swing in South Louisiana, where third-generation farmer Eric Unkel is navigating his 30th rice season.
As Unkel’s second harvest of the season is approaching, he reflected on how this years crop has performed.
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The 88th annual International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana, is scheduled for October 16-19, 2025, and organizers have released this year's entertainment lineup.
The International Rice Festival is the oldest and largest agricultural festival in Louisiana.
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Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are leading field, greenhouse and laboratory investigations to find solutions in the fight against the invasive rice delphacid and the hoja blanca virus it transmits.
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On September 30, the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act (H. R. 5620) was again re-introduced by House Agriculture Committee member Rick Crawford (R-AR) with Louisiana Representatives Troy Carter (D-LA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA) as co-sponsors.
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South Louisiana Rail Facility (SLRF), an agricultural export and processing company, announced it will invest $2.1 million to further expand its Jefferson Davis Parish operations. The project includes new bagging and warehouse equipment designed to increase efficiency and open new marketing opportunities for Louisiana rice producers.
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The 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference kicks off soon in just over two months, and programming that jumps from the field to the supermarket has been announced.
Digital marketing specialist and 2024 Outlook speaker Eric Martindale returns to the education stages to lead the session, From Shelf to Shopper: Navigating Grocery Retail Trends.
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Last week, USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited co-hosted the annual Federal Duck Stamp Reception, showcasing the strong relationship between rice and ducks, and to promote ongoing conservation efforts.
The event celebrated the 12th anniversary of the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership, a unique alliance through which both organizations work to help rice farmers address water quantity, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working ricelands.
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On September 30, the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act (H. R. 5620) was again re-introduced by House Agriculture Committee member Rick Crawford (R-AR) with Louisiana Representatives Troy Carter (D-LA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA) as co-sponsors.
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The 2025 planting season was marred by considerable challenges. Farmers in the Midsouth faced historic flooding in April that forced replanting across a significant portion of the Mississippi Delta.
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The 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference, now less than 10 weeks away, strives to offer relevant and timely programming that will improve the sustainability and viability of the U.S. rice industry. To that end, and to live up to the line “If rice is your business, this is your conference,” five export market panels and a session on gene editing in agriculture have been added to the schedule.
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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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