Prices for long-grain rice, which makes up 85 percent of Louisiana’s rice crop, are projected to drop this year, said LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi.
The price of long-grain rice was $15.40 per hundredweight in 2013, but that could decrease to $13.30 per hundredweight this year.
Although signup is months away, agricultural landowners and producers need to begin planning for decisions they will have to make because of the new farm bill, according to LSU AgCenter economist Mike Salassi.
LSU AgCenter sweet potato specialist Tara Smith checks sweet potato vines for disease and insects at the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase. Smith said there are about 9,000 acres planted this year, and the crop looks really good. The semi-annual sweet potato field day will be held at the station on Aug. 7. (Photo by Johnny Morgan)
Following several years with decreased acres and growers getting out of the industry, this year looks a lot better for the Louisiana sweet potato industry, said Tara Smith, research coordinator of the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station.
Eric Webster, LSU AgCenter weed scientist, talks at the Vermilion Parish Rice and Soybean Field Day at the Lounsberry Farm near Lake Arthur. / Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter
Rice prices have fallen because of a big jump in Arkansas rice acreage, an LSU AgCenter agricultural economist said recently at the Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day.
Corn farmers should be looking for a damaging fungal disease, Southern rust, which has been found recently in Louisiana.
