Feature Story

The Louisiana State University AgCenter has released two new Clearfield rice varieties that are tolerant to imadazolinone herbicide. They come from the breeding program of Dr. Steve Linscombe at the AgCenter’s H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley. CL...

By Bruce Linquist In 2015, the University of California Cooperative Extension kicked off a yield contest with rice growers. The purpose was to provide an opportunity for rice producers and UC scientists to share information about intensive rice production in...

Voluntary program helps Louisiana producers improve natural resource management while bolstering sustainability and economics. By Vicky Boyd Editor Richard Fontenot, who farms with his brother, Neal, near Ville Platte, La., looks at the Louisiana Master Farmer Program as an integral part of...

Charley Mathews Jr. takes a detail-oriented approach to growing rice, dryer operations and industry leadership. By Vicky Boyd Editor For Charley Mathews Jr., growing a high-quality rice crop profitably and efficiently is only part of the equation. The 49-year-old Marysville, Calif., producer...

California Growers Will Need to Log Nitrogen Use as Part of a Statewide Ag Water Quality Program. By Vicky Boyd Editor Beginning this year, California rice producers will have to comply with the requirements of the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, a water...

California’s lingering drought impacts overwintering waterfowlby reducing flooded rice acreage. By Vicky Boyd Editor California’s 4-year-old drought not only has meant irrigation curtailments and planting reductions for rice producers, it also has reduced the amount of water available to flood fields after...

Rice breeders continue to bring outstanding options to the marketplace. By Carroll Smith One facet of production of which the U.S. rice industry is most proud is the work done by its rice breeders. They are always looking for the “next...

Despite the drought and a localized armyworm infestation, this season produced some very strong yields. By Randall “Cass” Mutters An overview of the 2015 rice-growing season in California would not be complete without mention of the ongoing drought. Statewide, the last...

Weaker demand and lower prices replace bullish start to marketing year. By Kurt Guidry The rice market is starting to feel similar to a rollercoaster ride with highs and lows. After starting at extremely low levels in June and July, prices...

California rice farmers reduced water usage long before the drought By Tim Johnson California Rice Commission In the upcoming weeks, the Sacramento Valley will look far from a drought. Farmers will start planting crops, joining the already fully leafed orchards. It will...

Pursuing excellence since 1918 Ralph Gorrill was born in 1884 in Oakland, Calif., the county seat of Alameda County and a teeming agricultural region. In 1917, he put his engineering background to work by helping to lay out and construct...

Passion, preparedness and perseverance pay off John Durand’s father was one of nine children raised in the agriculture industry. He farmed for a short time but left to start a construction company – the only sibling to break from the...

Scout for presence and level of disease in each field By Don Groth LSU AgCenter In times when rice prices are low, producers must keep production costs low. One area to save money is on fungicide applications. Applying a fungicide when needed...

Bulk bag filler speeds packaging at Kennedy Rice Mill Because the Louisiana rice harvest takes place primarily over two months, it places a huge demand on the area’s processing capacity. Any delay in moving the processed rice to market can...

Rice farmers call for U.S. grading modernization. B.J. Campbell Rice Producer, Quilin, Mo. Chairman of the Board,  USRPA Rice is unique among the agricultural products grown in the United States because a number of its quality attributes are visual, based on color. Some...