Christobal Causes A Scare But Leaves No Scars In LA Rice Fields

By Kane Webb

USA Rice

The past few days had growers in the Gulf Coast region watching the weather and wondering what conditions Tropical Storm Cristobal would bring as forecast models had the storm tracking along the coastline.
 
Although never forecasted to become a major hurricane, you can never discount Mother Nature's potential -- a storm that has earned a name can be scary.  Making matters more intense for many farmers was a consensus that this year's rice crop along the Gulf Coast is looking more promising than it has in seasons past.

"With everything that has seemed to go wrong over the past few years, we feel like this year is going our way," said Christian Richard who operates Richard Farms in Kaplan.  "Everyone I've visited with says the rice really looks good and is maturing quickly without the various issues we've had to struggle through in previous few years."

Across Louisiana, growers mentioned experiencing minimal rain amounts with very little wind, indicating no damage or lodging of maturing rice, which was a big concern early on as the storm headed for landfall over last weekend.