Texas rice growers optimistic despite challenges

The Texas rice harvest is in full swing, and growers hope a good second crop can bring a positive end to a challenging season, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Sam Rustom, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Eagle Lake, said it’s looking like an average year for Texas rice despite some challenges. Overall, rice production dropped 6,000 acres to around 143,000 acres.

Rustom said producers planted rice early this season and are therefore harvesting earlier. Yields look about average – 8,000-9,000 pounds per acre – for the state, and it is too early to estimate rice quality because mills are still drying down rice kernels.

Rainy weather and high temperatures during peak flowering in late-June and early July impacted yield potential, he said.

Rice delphacid, a piercing-sucking insect pest that also can spread disease, likely contributed to lower-than-expected yields in some fields that experienced major infestations, Rustom said. The invasive planthopper can also impact kernel quality.

Rustom said delphacid appeared in 2015, but last season was the first time they were found in the main crop. Historically, they have only been a pest in the ratoon crop. This season, rice delphacid was an issue in all rice-producing areas of the state during the main crop.

“It’s been a pretty rough year dealing with them,” he said. “We’re still seeing solid yields coming out. It’s been better than expected in fields with rice delphacid, so that is a positive.”

Rice growers look for strong second crop

Rustom said the primary concern around delphacid is its potential impact on the ratoon crop. Ratoon rice crops are a second crop of rice that is produced from plant regrowth following a cutting. Many producers break even with the main rice crop and find profits with the ratoon crop. 

Growers should be “extremely aggressive” with scouting and treatment regiments against delphacid, he said. Main crop stubble should be mowed back to 8-10 inches and treated as early as possible. Rustom said growers can reach out to him or their AgriLife Extension agent for the latest delphacid control recommendations.

Other than delphacid concerns and ongoing challenges controlling barnyard grass in fields, Rustom said conditions are trending positively for a strong ratoon crop due to the early harvest.

“I expect our growers will do a good job of protecting their ratoon crops,” he said. “That is really what is keeping us in business right now.”

Prices down, but rice acres could go up

Rustom said rice prices, like most agricultural commodities, were down. Prices were sitting around $12.75 per hundredweight, whereas prices are typically closer to $14-$17 per hundredweight.

The impact of tariffs on imported rice has been minimal for U.S. producers so far, he said. Rustom said consumers, especially those in ethnic markets, are willing to pay the higher price to get the aromatic rice they prefer.

Rustom did note that U.S. rice growers would see better price assistance from agricultural provisions in the latest federal funding bill. That change could help growers when facing break-even rice prices.

Water could be another incentive for Texas rice production next season. 

Though rice acres declined this season, Rustom expects them to rebound in 2026. The increase could be significant – 20,000 to 40,000 acres – because heavy rainfall refilled surface water sources that have been off limits to agriculture producers for years.

“Those lakes are at levels that they will allow irrigation water for agriculture,” he said. “That’s going to be something big for rice farmers in the Eagle Lake and Bay City areas.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

The district experienced the first triple-digit temperatures of the summer along with hot, dry and windy conditions causing some heat stress in crops. Overall soil moisture was reported from short to adequate. Sileage harvest should begin within the next three weeks. Moisture was needed to begin early wheat planting. Insect issues were being monitored with aphid populations rapidly increasing and treatments being applied in some fields. Pasture and range conditions were fair to excellent. Overall, crops were in fair to excellent condition.

South Plains

Conditions continued to be very dry across the district. Temperatures were milder following triple-digit temperatures the previous week. Farmers were irrigating to keep cotton fields going as plants sets bolls. Dryland cotton was starting to decline with no precipitation. Early summer rains have corn fields in good condition overall. Control applications for lygus and aphids were occurring as threshold levels were reached. Pastures needed rain for forage growth. Livestock were in good condition.

Rolling Plains

Recent timely rains kept most crops and livestock in good condition across the district. Cotton was progressing well, though producers note another rain would help finish the crop. Pastures improved in recent weeks, providing abundant forage for cattle, which were in good shape. However, a stretch of extreme heat — several days over 100 degrees combined with windy conditions — stressed some cotton and peanut fields in the blooming stage. Hay fields and pastures were beginning to dry, with grass showing signs of stress. Continued hot, dry weather raised concerns about wildfire risk. Producers hoped timely rains would sustain crops, pastures and hay fields through the remainder of the growing season.

East

Many counties needed rain. A few areas in Houston and Marion counties received some rainfall. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Hay production slowed due to lack of rain. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Cattle markets remained strong despite decreasing inventories. Producers battled armyworm infestations. Feral hog damage continued.

Far West

Hot, dry conditions persisted across the district with impacts visible across agriculture. Fields have become very dry, and crops were showing stress by midday. Corn was finishing and drying down for harvest. Sorghum had mostly headed out, and diminished yields were expected. High temperatures significantly stressed the cotton crop, especially the earlier crop that was loaded with bolls or in peak bloom. Haygrazer had headed out. Healthy melon harvests continued. Pastures were drying up, and livestock were losing condition despite supplementation.

West Central

Conditions were hot and dry, and all areas needed rain. Temperatures were in the mid-90s to 100-plus degrees daily. Topsoil moisture was declining quickly. River bottoms continued to dry and become more accessible. Producers were cleaning debris and rebuilding fences. Hay producers were cutting and baling, and yields were expected to be good, but quality may be lower due to maturity of fields. Burn bans were in effect for some counties. Sheep and goat producers were treating internal parasites due to wet July conditions. Some field preparations for fall planting of small grains was underway. All row crops showed moisture and heat stress. Cotton and grain sorghum mostly looked fair to good. Many cotton fields need moisture soon. Sorghum was maturing quickly with harvest underway in earlier planted fields. Pasture and rangeland growth slowed. Grasshoppers were becoming a problem in some pastures. Livestock were in fair to good condition, and water sources were in good shape. Cattle gains were slowing due to declining forages and heat.

Central

Hot, dry conditions prevailed across the district with moderate drought developing in some counties. Corn and grain sorghum harvests were in full swing with above-average yields ranging from 120-188 bushels per acre for corn and 5,000-7,000 pounds per acre for sorghum. Cotton matured well with bolls opening. Hay cutting continued with good tonnage reported. Armyworms were reported in areas that received moisture, and there was some heavy weed growth in mature corn fields. Scattered rain showers midweek provided brief relief and benefited forage. Pastures showed signs of stress from high temperatures and lack of moisture, with forage quality was beginning to decline. Stock tanks remained full from early summer rainfall. Livestock remained in good condition on pastures despite heat stress concerns. Cattle markets were holding extremely strong, but grain and cotton markets continued to struggle.

Southeast

Heavy rains led to saturated fields in some areas. Wet conditions delayed hay cutting and rice, corn and sorghum harvests. Progress continued as conditions dried. Other areas experienced hot, dry weather that prompted burn ban considerations. Soil moisture levels across the district ranged from adequate to surplus. Cotton was in fair to excellent shape with many fields in the bloom stage. Pastures were still green despite declining moisture. Soybeans were blooming, dropping leaves and setting pods. Some sorghum fields were coloring. Hay producers reported record yields despite localized pest issues like armyworms and grasshoppers. Pasture conditions were fair to excellent. Livestock conditions were fair to excellent as well.

Southwest

Hot and dry weather continued with some spotty showers reported. Temperatures reached 100 degrees on several days. The heat and wind have dried out topsoil Corn and sorghum harvests continued with below average yields reported. Hay harvest continued. Some producers were preparing for fall planting season. Webworm nests began to show in trees and pecan orchards, but pest loads appeared light so far. Overall, pecans were still green and developing well. The hot, dry conditions led to declines in grasses, and many cattle herds were being fed hay and supplemental feed. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Livestock producers were shipping some spring calves to the sale barn to take advantage of the current high prices. Livestock were grazing but seeking shade and water. Cattle producers were being advised to reduce stocking rates as much as possible to save forage. Acorn crops still looked good. Wildlife was showing some signs of stress due to declining conditions.

Coastal Bend

High temperatures persisted, with scattered showers early in the week bringing 0.5-1.5 inches to some areas. Soil moisture levels remained low in most locations despite localized rainfall. Corn and sorghum harvests were nearly complete, with the remaining sorghum acres planted after failed cotton. Yields for both crops were above average, particularly on the earliest-planted acreage. Cotton harvest was nearing completion with above-average yields. Dry weather aided harvest, and gin yards were filling with cotton bales. Pasture conditions were mostly fair to poor and continued to decline under heat, wind and lack of rain. Grass from earlier rains was still plentiful but losing nutritional value. Mealybug infestations were impacting livestock forages. Livestock remained in good condition, with some producers selling older cows and marketing lighter calves at strong prices. Hay yields were good, and declining grazing conditions increased the likelihood of supplemental feeding soon.

South

Conditions were hot and dry. Temperature highs were above 100 degrees in some counties. The high temperatures and dry conditions were beginning to impact all crops. Corn, sunflower and sorghum harvests wrapped up and several fields of sorghum were made into hay. Hay producers continued to make hay. Fieldwork for strawberries continued. Vegetable producers continued with a slow harvest. Okra was doing fair. Irrigation in citrus orchards continued. Peanut crops continued to progress under irrigation and were in the pegging stage. Cotton fields were showing signs of stress due to extreme heat but holding up under irrigation as bolls were opening. Pasture and range conditions continued to decline with lack of rainfall. Livestock were in good condition, but supplemental feeding was necessary. Local livestock markets continued to offer average volumes with strong prices for all classes of beef cattle. Ranchers were busy weaning and selling late-winter and spring calves and wrapping up baling hay. Wildlife producers were preparing for hunting season. Falcon Lake levels remained low. Some producers were providing water to ponds for cattle and wildlife.