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ACR project begins in Califronia, aims for Mid-South expansion The American Carbon Registry (ACR) has recently listed a first-of-its-kind project aimed at rewarding rice growers for voluntarily reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Emission Reductions in California Rice Management Systems project...

"One of the things that I enjoy is the challenge of Mother Nature," says Nik Wallenda, a 35-year-old American acrobat, aerialist, daredevil and high-wire artist. Described as "The King of the Wire," he is known for his high-wire performances...

USDA allows statement that transgenic rice is out of the supply. The USA Rice Federation is pleased to report that the U.S. rice industry scored a significant, and perhaps ultimate, victory earlier this year when, after eight years of intense...

Mike Davis - Pest Control Adviser, Helena Chemical Company Chico, Calif. Growing up, I worked on a hay and cattle ranch in Livermore, Calif., prior to attending Chico State University where I received a degree in Agricultural Science. After graduating, I...

Wayne Dulaney -Lead Agronomist, Dulaney Seed, Inc., Clarksdale, Miss. After graduating from Mississippi State in 1996, I went to work for an ag retailer, where I made myself the “rice expert” in what was predominately cotton country at that time....

DR. JOHN SAICHUK LOUISIANA jsaichuk@agcenter.lsu.edu Several years ago I had a farmer in the rice verification program that was very successful growing upland crops, but felt he wanted to learn more about rice production. A few years later, his brother became a...

Rice Scientists Recognized Two LSU AgCenter scientists were honored at the 2014 35th Rice Technical Working Group’s meeting held Feb. 18- 21 in New Orleans. Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, received the Distinguished Rice Research and Education Award, and...

Be proactive in controlling resistant weeds When weed resistance in rice first appeared, it soon became clear that a silver bullet herbicide program was not magically going to materialize to solve the problem. Everyone involved with weeds in the rice...

California Rice benefits from the communications revolution It all began with "Of Rice and Rain," 207 words from Sacramento Valley rice grower Tom Butler on the impact of rainfall during the fall 2010 rice harvest. His was the first blog...

The LSU AgCenter continued to work with the Kellogg Co. during the past year on a sustainability program for rice farmers. The result is a Master Rice Grower program that will be offering incentives for farmers to adopt conservation...

While watching Late Night with Seth Meyers recently, I learned that Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson had attended the Manning Passing Academy when Wilson was a tenth-grader in high school. In fact, he said that during the camp Peyton...

Russell Marine Group is uniquely positioned in the rice and grain industries to where we have forged relationships at nearly every level, from seed manufacturers to foreign, importing rice millers. We recognize that the position creates a duty to the industry to help support and promote U.S. agricultural products whenever possible. Oftentimes, this requires stepping into roles regarding hot-topic quality issues of the year, logistics and operations in the export sector of the industry and maintaining an expertise on ever-changing government and trade regulations. Despite having the resources and logistical advantages over many rice-producing countries, the United States is vulnerable to losing export market share by not addressing quality issues brought up by our foreign buyers. The issues permeate the rice industry on all levels, from seed manufacturers and rice producers to rice exporters and foreign buyers. Many Central American rice millers have always advertised U.S. rice as their premium rice brand. Over the past two decades, they built a brand name and, therefore, justifiably charged a premium for a high-quality product. However, the prior three years’ quality issues have severely tarnished that reputation and branding; and our once loyal foreign importing rice miller base is now actively seeking alternative sources.

Now that the 2014 Farm Bill is finally law, it’s time to break the legislation down and explain what all the options, implications and consequences are for rice farmers. We spent the better part of the last four years...

Greg Mooney - Pest Control Adviser, Simplot Grower Solutions Colusa, Calif. nlike many of my peers in the ag business community, I attended California State University at Sacramento – not known as an agricultural-based university – where I was able...

Gregory Harmon - G&H Seed Company Inc., Field Sales Representative Crowley, La. I grew up in Crowley, La., on a rice, crawfish and soybean farm. Throughout high school and college, I spent a lot of time helping out wherever I...