Feature Story

Northern California rice producers received good news today as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the sprawling Central Valley Project, announced it would make full deliveries north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. In making the initial allocations, the...

This season, U.S. rice growers nationwide are expected to plant 3.04 million acres, or 17 percent more than they did in 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's prospective plantings report released March 31. Growers in each of the...

South Louisiana rice farmers dodged big rains and continue planting. But they are advised to drain water from drill-seeded fields to promote germination. The unexpected rains in early March have delayed rice planting in some regions, but in South Louisiana,...

Don’t wait — take pre-emptive steps now to slow PPO herbicide resistance from developing in Palmer pigweed. By Vicky Boyd, Editor Bob Scott, a University of Arkansas Extension weed scientist, is on a crusade before planting season starts to educate producers about herbicide...

Spurred by the growing popularity of Cajun cuisine and depressed rice prices, crawfish production continues to expand in the southern rice belt. By Vicky Boyd, Editor Laura Hebert is following in the footsteps of her father, Dane Hebert, a rice, soybean...

Modern University of Arkansas Foundation Seed Processing Facility under construction will replace 60-plus-year-old plant at the Rice Research and Extension Center. By Vicky Boyd, Editor Chuck Wilson, director of the University of Arkansas’ Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, wants...

Citing accidental exposure that has caused injuries and even death, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new worker protection rules for those handling the herbicide, paraquat. Among the changes are: • New closed-system packaging designed to make it nearly impossible to...

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has begun taking applications for the National Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program in Texas.The program is a collaborative effort among USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited and about 40 other partners and sponsors. The goal is to...

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has opened a second application period for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program – Rice Stewardship Partnership Project in Louisiana rice. Sponsored by USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited, the program will assist rice producers in 20...

The Durand family’s crop mix on their St. Martinville, La., farm includes rice, crawfish and resource protection. Driving down Highway 347 past massive live oaks dripping with Spanish moss is a sea of sugar cane as far as the eye...

The EPA recently registered a non-lethal bird-repellent seed treatment for rice. The news traveled swiftly among producers, who have seen firsthand the damage birds can cause to newly seeded rice fields. By Vicky Boyd The Environmental Protection Agency has granted a...

Dow AgroSciences recently unveiled the name of the new broad-spectrum rice herbicide it anticipates launching in 2017 or early 2018 — Loyant herbicide with Rinskor active. Actual availability will depend on Environmental Protection Agency registration, says Hunter Perry, Dow field...

Medium-grain exports strengthen as long-grain export demand continues to struggle. By Kurt Guidry The rice market continues to struggle with finding the consistent and stable demand needed to help support and strengthen prices. Despite lower overall rice production and supplies for...

Projects seek to demonstrate benefits of cover crops to rice production. By Vicky Boyd, Editor Trent Roberts, a University of Arkansas soil scientist, is out to be a myth-buster when it comes to cover crops and rice. Through a three-year project he’s...

California’s battle with red rice is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s famous quote from “The Shining” — “I’m back!” By Vicky Boyd, Editor The state, which prides itself on having zero red rice tolerance, in 2003 identified six fields in Glenn and...