By Katherine Miller

STAFF WRITER

CROWLEY – With the toll that hurricanes Gustav and Ike have taken throughout the state, rice farmers are somewhat optimistic about their crops.

Rice farmers this year will yield about 468,000 acres, which is a leap of 100,000 more acres than last year. Yet, this year’s yield is down from last year’s record of 6515 pounds per acre.

Gustav’s strike resulted in flooded fields, causing plants to lodge and ripening grains to spoil. LSU AgCenter estimates that rice crops in Louisiana suffered a loss of $33 million, which totals eight percent of the total crop’s value.

Most of the rice in Louisiana is produced in the northeastern and southwestern areas of the state. Steve Linscombe, regional director of the Rice Research Station in Crowley, reported that thankfully, 85 percent of local crops had been harvested at the time Gustav arrived, and that typically, the northernmost parts of Louisiana suffered heaviest as a result.

“We were spared for the most part here because the soil was partially wet, therefore soaking up less salinity from the incoming rains,” Linscombe explained. “During Rita, our farmers suffered more because the grounds were dryer, and fields remained flooded for longer periods of time.”

Impact in southwest Louisiana has been greater on the second rice crop, which was planted after the first one was harvested in July or August. The second crop typically yields about one-third the amount of rice as the first.

“At this time, we are about halfway through harvesting the second crop, which Ike has definitely had an effect on,” he added.

Despite the grim outlook of this year’s crops, the good news for the farmers is that the cost of rice has risen greatly since last year. The average price last year was $6 per hundred-weight, as this year’s is $16.35.

Supermarket prices have increased prices over 30 percent since last year.

On the other hand, input costs, particularly diesel and fertilizer prices have soared this year, which again adds fuel to the fire.

According to AgCenter experts, rice has withstood the storms better than other crops, such as cotton.

Unsuspectingly, the struggling global economy quite possibly could have a positive impact on rice consumption. Louisiana export a little over half of its rice.

“The price of rice depends on many factors, such as domestic and world economic conditions,” Linscombe informed. “Our outlook remains guardedly hopeful for next year’s crop production.”