Note from the CEO

Harvest is winding down in most of Riceland’s footprint, and I hope it was a bountiful and safe harvest for all of you. Rice prices have finally started to move higher. Large carryover stocks from the 2025 crop and major pushback from milled rice buyers to pay higher prices (along with some milled rice sellers willing to let milled rice go at lower prices) kept a lid on prices early. Several of these issues have worked through the market, and milled rice prices are moving higher. Milled rice prices are not at a one for one move with rough rice futures, but the trend is in the right direction.

Milling yields are bad. Worst average milling yield crop in my 31 years in the business. It negatively hits your price, lowers revenue and runs up cost on your co-op. It’s bad. Enough said.

Riceland’s average on new crop green rice:

Long Grain 45.9/68

Medium Grain 41.8/67.5

Good news from Washington in the past few weeks. PLC payments are on the way and a new payment to help cover the cost of diesel. More details on the diesel program in November.

We continue to press our representatives in Washington to support the industry by stopping rice imports into the domestic market from those countries known for cheating and help us with our export markets where countries are blocking U.S. rice (Dominican Republic). We are very grateful for all the financial assistance Uncle Sam is sending to the countryside. The need is just as great for the processing industry. No markets, no demand. No demand, no price.

There is a great episode of Riceland’s Grainiacs Podcast out now. Dr. Keri Jacobs and Arkansas State’s very own and Riceland member Dr. Bert Greenwalt breakdown the importance of cooperatives in agricultural markets. Listen here.

Mark your calendar on Thursday, Nov. 12^th for Riceland’s Annual Membership Meeting in Stuttgart at the Grand Prairie Center. We plan to have more breakout sessions in the morning than in previous years. One, for sure to be well attended, will focus on soybeans and the major issues that negatively impacted yield. Also, a new session this year will focus on rice varieties. The latest on crop insurance and government affairs are also back by popular demand. See the full schedule here.

It may be hard to believe, but the team is already starting the planning process for next year’s harvest. I know it is early but use the “Let us hear from you” link below and give us your initial thoughts on your planted acres for next year. For corn, soybeans, rice, let us know what percentage you will be up or down compared to this year.

Be safe out there!

Kevin McGilton

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