Recap Of The 2025 Rice Crop

DR. RONNIE LEVY

RAYNE, LOUISIANA

Louisiana’s 2025 rice season is nearing completion, with most of South Louisiana’s first crop already harvested and Central and North Louisiana still in the process. Overall, it has been a productive year for rice. Initial harvests in South Louisiana reported strong yields, sparking optimism for a good year. However, as the season progressed, yields began to decline sharply in some areas. Interestingly, some later fields rebounded with surprisingly good yields, adding complexity to the overall production picture. 

Most fields in Southwest Louisiana have now been reflooded for ratoon (second) crop production. Despite some weather challenges, yields in this region were generally good, and early reports suggest that grain quality is higher than in the previous two years. 

In North Louisiana, producers faced yet another season of wet weather, which delayed planting and led to several thousand acres going unplanted. The tight planting window also caused logistical issues during harvest: some fields ready for harvest were delayed due to limited bin space and drying capacity. 

Poor weather during critical pollination phases likely contributed to the lower yields in certain areas. Rain and overcast conditions reduced the sunlight available to plants, negatively impacting growth and increasing the risk of disease. Disease pressure was lower than feared for most of the season, but persistent rains later contributed to a rise in disease later in the crop. It's a common misconception that rice “likes” rain – while it is an irrigated crop, excessive rainfall reduces solar radiation and promotes disease. Additionally, rain and wind during flowering can cause rice florets to become sterile. 

While yield is important, milling quality – specifically head rice yield (the percentage of unbroken grains after milling) – is also critical to the crop’s value. For example, a field harvested at 20% grain moisture may yield 65% head rice. However, if harvest is delayed and moisture drops to 14%, that same field might yield just 55% head rice or less. 

Repeated wetting and drying in the field further deteriorates grain quality. Timing of harvest is crucial, especially when storage or drying capacity becomes a limiting factor. 

Despite a modest increase in total planted acres this year, about 17,000 acres from 2024, totaling approximately 476,000, the financial outlook remains uncertain. The additional acreage came mostly from North Louisiana, where low soybean and corn prices prompted a shift to rice. 

Unfortunately, rice prices remain low while production costs continue to rise. Unless significant price improvements occur, producers are unlikely to expand planting further in 2026, as financial sustainability is top of mind for growers. 

A major concern emerging this season is the detection of the Rice Delphacid (Tagosodes orizicolus) in Louisiana. This pest poses a serious threat, especially to late- season and ratoon rice. Infestations can be devastating, and early detection is key. Producers or consultants who suspect infestations should immediately report findings to their local LSU AgCenter extension agents.   ∆

DR. RONNIE LEVY

LSU AGCENTER