Author: Timothy Blank, Director of Seed Certification Operations, California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA)
~28,500 acres were inspected by the California Crop Improvement Association in 2025, of which 25,783 acres were eligible for seed production. Of the eligible acres harvested for seed, 1117 were enrolled in the Quality Assurance (QA) program. The 2025 acres were an increase from those in 2024.
Variety summary:
In 2025, there was production of 39 rice varieties (5 long grain, 19 medium grain, 15 short grain). Seed production exceeded 1000 acres only for the 5 commercially grown Calrose-type varieties. Of the Calrose varieties, the ranking in acres approved was M-206 (4660 acres), M-105 (4218 acres), M-211 (4126 acres), M-209 (4105 acres), and M-210 (4093 acres). These 5 Calrose-type varieties made up 82% of the total seed production. Also making a substantial portion of the eligible seed acres were Koshihikari (869 acres), Calmochi-203 (843 acres), and M-401 (724 acres).
One trend to note is that M-206 is on the decline in seed production acreage and the other Calrose varieties have increased. The California Coop. Rice Research Foundation has expressed that there are plans to retire M-206. Growers who favor M-206 have an improved alternative by growing M-210, which is nearly identical to M-206, with the added benefit of rice blast resistance.
Seed Field Inspections:
381 seed fields were inspected by CCIA between 8/11-9/30. Red rice was detected in 4 seed fields. Three fields contained trace levels of a non-shattering red rice, consistent with a domesticated cultivar. One field in the QA program contained ‘Type 2’ (bronze hull) weedy rice. Great progress has been made in the past several years in purging weedy red rice from the seed supply chain. Incidence of weedy rice in commercial fields is on the decline through a combination of clean planting seed and employment of best management practices.
Incidence of rice blast was rare this year.
The Certified seed and QA programs ensure that every rice seed field is inspected by field inspectors from the California Crop Improvement Association, and every seed lot is tested, to ensure that planting seed meets industry expectations for quality seed.