Dry conditions and water cuts are taking a toll on California’s rice crop.
Nationally, acreage is down 7 percent, which is the lowest since 1958. That is due in part to Western water shortages and irrigation restrictions. USDA’s Outlook Board Chairman shares what we can expect for U.S. rice producers in the next year.
“Tighter U.S. supplies, higher imports, lower exports, modest increase in ending stocks, but strong farm prices,” says Mark Jekanowski.
The USDA rates 60 percent of California’s current rice crop good to excellent.
Related:
Sounding the Alarm: possible collapse of the San Joaquin Valley’s ag workforce
West Coast Drought Diaries: Drought raising water concerns and impacting CA’s rice
Rices Fire in CA threatens electricity and water for farmers and rural America
