Few Changes Expected In Louisiana Rice Acres Next Year

Louisiana rice acreage is expected to be around 415,000 acres in 2018.

Speaking at the 2017 USA Rice Outlook Conference in San Antonio, LSU AgCenter Extension Service Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell said he doesn't believe there will be much of a change in rice acreage in 2018.

"We hope and pray for a very productive 2018," said Harrell.  "As far as acreage we'll probably increase acres in Louisiana  little bit, probably go up somewhere in between the 2017/2016 acreage, somewhere around 415,000 of rice would be my best guess."

In 2017 Louisiana growers harvested just over 391,000 acres, 9.5% below 2016 levels. 90% was long grain and the number one variety was again Clearfield.  Acadia Parish planted the most acres at just over 80,000.

"We are pretty stable in our rice acres in southwest Louisiana due to our production systems down there.  So there were not many fluctuations there," Harrell pointed out. "Most of the fluxuation comes from northeast Lousiana.  But we expect a small bump in acres next year."