Texas rice planted acres on decline; threat of rice delphacid looms
Texas Crop and Weather Report
Texas rice producers enter a new crop year with a watchful eye on prices, yield potential and the threat of rice delphacid, an invasive planthopper that wreaked havoc on the 2025 crop, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
“The Texas rice crop is showing great progress as we reach the midpoint of the growing season,” said Sam Rustom, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Soil and Crop Science. “Most of our farmers planted early in March, and thankfully so, considering April and early May have been extremely wet and planting windows were slim. The crop currently looks fantastic statewide.”
However, planted acres have been on the decline due to low market prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated 125,000 planted acres in Texas, but Rustom said that could fall to 100,000 acres when final planted acreage numbers are released.
“Acreage reductions are not limited to Texas and are following larger nationwide trends,” he said. “Other rice-producing states like Arkansas and Mississippi are expected to be down to around 850,000 acres (historically 1.4 million acres) and 50,000 acres (historically 137,000 acres), respectively. These acreage reductions can be attributed to low market prices because of global oversupply, primarily due to increased production and increased competition from India, Thailand and South America over the past 10 years.”
Rice delphacid threat
The threat of rice delphacid continues to loom as the season progresses, Rustom said. The piercing and sucking planthoppers feed on rice plants, extracting sap and depriving the plant of essential nutrients, which causes damage known as “hopper burn,” characterized by yellowing leaves and scars on leaf blades.
They also excrete excess sugar, called “honeydew,” which leads to the growth of sooty mold. In severe cases, this can lead to extensive plant dieback, stunted growth and substantial yield losses.
An AgriLife Extension fact sheet provides producers more information about the pest.
“Rice delphacid has by far been the hottest topic in Texas rice over the past two years, and scouting efforts are underway statewide,” Rustom said.
So far, the threat has been minimal, but monitoring continues, said Lina Bernaola, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Research entomologist in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology.
“From an entomology perspective, based on scouting observations from monitored fields in Wharton, Waller, Liberty, Chambers and Jefferson counties, insect pressure has remained relatively low across the Texas Rice Belt,” she said. “Rice delphacids have not been detected in monitored fields to date, and no widespread insect outbreaks have been observed. Most fields are currently in the early to late-tillering stages.”
Localized infestations of chinch bugs and fall armyworms have occurred in some areas but have generally remained below levels of economic concern, Bernaola said.
“Rice delphacid remains a pest of interest due to its recent importance in Texas rice production,” she said. “Although rice delphacids have not been detected in our monitored fields, continued scouting is important as the crop progresses into later growth stages and environmental conditions change. Early detection remains critical because insect populations can increase rapidly under favorable conditions.”
Rustom said Courier Insect Growth Regulator received a Section 18 Emergency Use Exemption earlier this year and will be the primary product used to manage this pest.
“Remember, growth regulators like Courier are only active on molting nymphs,” he said. “If there is a high population of adults present, growers should consider adding an adulticide to the tank. In addition, Courier should offer good residual activity up to two to four weeks after treatment. If anyone has questions or wisdom to share about this insect, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle
The district received varied amounts of much-needed rain. Some counties received less than 1 inch, while other counties received up to 8 inches. Overall, soil moisture was very short to adequate. As field conditions permitted, growers were planting corn and cotton. Pasture and range conditions were very poor to poor, and overall, crops were in poor to fair condition.
South Plains
Most counties reported much-needed rainfall, though soil conditions remained variable and drought persisted in several locations. Cotton planting was underway, while corn benefited from moisture. Sorghum was emerging. Cattle were responding well to better forage conditions. Producers were optimistic with improved moisture, active planting and better pasture conditions. However, drought impacts lingered, and continued rainfall will be critical to sustain crop progress and reduce irrigation needs.
Rolling Plains
Scattered showers and thunderstorms brought welcomed rain to the district. Green-up occurred in pastures and improved conditions for livestock, hay, corn and sorghum. Wheat harvest and cotton planting slowed due to wet fields, and some producers reported declining soil moisture overall. Cotton and hay planting were underway, but more rain will be needed for strong crop stands as planting deadlines approach. Warmer, humid weather persisted, and producers were hopeful that forecasted rains would boost crop and pasture production. While livestock health was improving with better forage, supplemental feeding continued in some areas.
North
Pasture and range conditions were fair to excellent; most areas indicated good overall conditions. Corn, soybeans and sorghum continued to perform well and were showing noticeable improvement. Winter wheat, however, sustained damage from Hessian fly infestations, which were impacting yield potential. Many fields were cut and baled for the first hay harvest. Bermuda grass production was initially slow this season due to cooler nighttime temperatures, but it has progressed. Livestock conditions remained good across the district.
East
Though some areas received rain, drought conditions persisted overall. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Hay harvest continued. Livestock were reported in fair to good condition, and cattle markets were strong.
Far West
Rainfall was variable; some areas received only light showers and others received substantial rainfall. Overall, moisture improved conditions in several areas, although many locations continued to need additional rainfall to fully replenish soil moisture levels. Cotton development remained mixed, with some irrigated fields progressing well while dryland fields continued to struggle with limited moisture. Disease-related issues in cotton increased concerns as producers faced significant challenges associated with drought and poor quality irrigation water in some areas. There were reports of declining trees in pecan orchards. Pasture and rangeland conditions generally improved where rainfall occurred, with noticeable increases in forage production. Livestock conditions were good, with supplemental feeding still necessary in some operations but becoming less critical where recent rainfall improved grazing conditions.
West Central
Up to 3 inches of rain were received and caused some localized flooding. Very little hay was cut and baled due to wet fields, but producers should be in full swing when conditions dry. Many crop farmers were waiting for drier conditions to harvest grain. Cotton was being planted. Wheat harvest continued, with slightly below average yields overall. Forage sorghum crops were in good condition, with additional acres still being planted. Pecan crops looked good.
Central
Corn conditions were good to excellent, but some fields received extensive hail damage. Early planted cotton was squaring. Wheat harvest operations wrapped up over the weekend as soil dried out enough to harvest. Ranchers were moving stocker cattle off winter grazing. Pasture conditions improved with additional soil moisture and warmer temperatures. Grass growth continued providing ample forage for livestock. With adequate forage availability, supplemental feeding is less frequent. Producers were cutting and baling hay.
Southeast
Continued rainfall and wet field conditions slowed fieldwork and delayed hay harvest. Rice was heading in some areas. Pastures were recovering from earlier dry conditions. Sorghum planting was complete in several counties.
Southwest
Hay production was delayed and, in some areas, first cuttings were on the ground. Warm-season grasses continued to grow. Crops were doing well, and AgriLife Extension agents continued to receive inquiries regarding weed and insect pests. Irrigated crops were faring well. Range and pasture conditions remained good and green. Cattle and sheep prices were at record highs. Producers were still supplementing livestock diets and were selling under a good market environment. Livestock prices and conditions remained steady. Overall conditions remained stable.
Coastal Bend
Late plantings of sorghum and corn continued to improve. Rain improved corn yield potential. Moisture also benefited the pecan crop, improving nut retention and size. Cotton will need some sunny days and drying to improve conditions. Hay harvest continued to be delayed by rain. Range and pasture conditions improved dramatically. Some pastures were in poor condition due to infestations of pasture mealybug. Most livestock conditions improved. Livestock water remained a concern in some areas.
South
Topsoil and subsoil conditions were surplus due to the heavy rainfall, and fields were drying out. Grain, corn and cotton crops were still behind schedule in development and maturity. Row crops continued to progress. Producers were harvesting cucumbers, cantaloupes, squash and wheat. Peanut planting continued. Wheat harvest was in full swing and will be completed soon. Sesame fields were experiencing increased pressure from grass and broadleaf weeds, and producers were making aerial herbicide applications to manage them. Livestock and pasture conditions improved dramatically, and ranchers reduced culling and were holding livestock. Some producers were still taking advantage of record-high market prices and selling cull cows and young calves.
