Agricultural Policy and Market Situation Newsletter: July 2026
USDA’s much-anticipated Acreage Report was released on June 30th. Corn acreage stayed large, but lower-than-expected corn and wheat stocks gave traders enough demand support to trigger relief buying and short-covering after a sharp June selloff.
Grain markets treated the Acreage and Grain Stocks reports as less bearish than the headline corn acreage number first suggested. USDA pegged corn planted area at 95.343 million acres, above the average pre-report trade estimate near 94.99 million acres, with harvested area for grain forecast at 87.434 million acres.
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USDA Reminds Louisiana Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports
After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Louisiana should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) parish office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline.
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USA Rice Farmers Chair Fred Zaunbrecher Dines With President Trump In White House Rose Garden Club
Last week, Louisiana rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher, who serves as chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, joined Arkansas rice farmers Tim and Robin Ralston and other agricultural leaders from across the country for dinner at the White House Rose Garden Club hosted by President Trump.
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Time’s Up
The recent announcement from Riceland Foods that they were temporarily shuttering nine of 23 rice dryers was shocking. The fact that Producers’ Rice Mill has indicated they may pause operations at two of their dryers as well is confirmation that this is not a headline to skim past. Nor is it a sign of poor leadership – in fact, it’s the exact opposite. These are sound management decisions in a brutal year – and that should be a wake-up call for policymakers and legislators.
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Innovations, Updates, and Awards Abound at Rice Field Days in Louisiana
Field days abounded earlier this week throughout rice country in southern Louisiana.
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Innovations, Updates, and Awards Abound at Rice Field Days in Louisiana
Field days abounded earlier this week throughout rice country in southern Louisiana.
Kicking off the week was the RiceTec field day held in Iota on Tuesday, where attendees heard crop updates, developments to reduce pubescent hairs on rice panicles, as well as recommendations on herbicide applications.
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Cassidy to Introduce Bill to Protect Louisiana Seafood, Rice Producers from Unfair Imports
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) will introduce the Home Market Restoration Act of 2026 to protect Louisiana crawfish, shrimp, rice, catfish, and other American producers from unfair foreign competition. The legislation would establish tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on import-sensitive food and agricultural products to stop import surges, restore fair prices, and keep American producers in business without shutting down lawful trade.
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At Rice Field Day, AgCenter Debuts Two Promising New Varieties
New varieties are one of the best ways farmers can stay ahead of the many challenges that come with growing rice. Next year, they’ll be able to plant two fresh releases from the LSU AgCenter that address key disease and grain quality issues.
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Louisiana Crops Newsletter--Volume 16, Issue 4 - June 2026
One of the most common observations during the early growing season is uneven crop growth within the same field. While some areas emerge quickly and develop vigorous canopies, others appear delayed or less uniform. These differences can be frustrating for producers, especially when planting conditions seemed favorable and management practices were applied uniformly across the field.
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USA Rice Joins Louisiana Farm Bureau’s 104th Annual Convention
Last week, the Louisiana Farm Bureau (LAFB) held its 104th Annual Convention here, featuring a host of speakers and panels focused on the challenges and opportunities facing producers in Louisiana.
Delegates also convened for official business and LAFB elections, including that of Richard Fontenot, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Ville Platte, who was reelected to serve his third term as president, and, of course, to share in the celebration of the newest LAFB Queen, Jean Treas from Tangipahoa Parish.
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Market Update for Corn, Soybeans, Rice, and Cotton: June 2026
The 2026/27 U.S. corn outlook remains virtually unchanged relative to last month. June’s WASDE report calls for fractionally higher beginning and ending stocks for 2026/27, reflective of mostly offsetting trade and domestic use changes for 2025/26 with adjustments to imports, corn used for ethanol, and exports based on data to date. The 2026/27 season-average farm price received by producers is unchanged at $4.40 per bushel.
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As Texas Rice Acres Drop, Rice Delphacid Threat Looms
Texas rice producers enter a new crop year with a watchful eye on prices, yield potential and the threat of rice delphacid, an invasive planthopper that wreaked havoc on the 2025 crop, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
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3 Front Battle: The Stem Borer, Rice Weevil & Less Effective Treatments
For nearly a decade, LSU AgCenter entomologist Blake Wilson has been facing an uphill battle over stem borer and rice weevil infestation in rice crops, particularly the most popular variety in the state, PVL03. For the last three years, a formerly effective insecticide has become decidedly less so in controlling the pest.
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U.S. Rice Planting Near Completion As Crop Conditions Remain Strong
The latest crop progress update shows U.S. rice growers are wrapping up planting for the 2026 season. Crop development and condition ratings are providing encouraging signs as the industry moves into the summer growing months.
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Section 301 Investigation, Tariffs Could Be Key To US Rice Survival
For the U.S. rice industry, traditional trade mechanisms have proven ineffective. Now, the industry prepares to charge ahead with an aggressive solution. The hopes are that a Section 301 investigation will result in tariffs.
Yes, you read that right. Tariffs.
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