All rice production in California for 2006 is forecast at 40.5 million cwt., up 4 percent from the previous year., according to the USDA-NASS, California Field Office.

The yield forecast is 7,700 pounds per acre, unchanged from the Aug. 1 forecast. Planted and harvested acreages are estimated at 529,000 and 526,000 acres, respectively. Rice fields were in various stages of heading during August.

Harvest is expected to begin during September.