Thursday, February 13, 2025

Rice Scientists Recognized

Rice Scientists Recognized

Screen Shot 2014-08-18 at 1.59.59 PMTwo 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 Mike Stout was one of seven entomologists from rice-growing states to be recognized with the Distinguished Rice Research and Education Team Award. Saichuk works with rice farmers across the state and oversees the LSU AgCenter’s rice verification program. Saichuk credited his wife for her support and his grandfather for giving him his love of agriculture. He also recognized LSU AgCenter county agents working with rice. “These guys are the best to work with.”

The team award was made to the entomologists for their work on seed treatments for controlling the rice water weevil and other insects. Stout thanked fellow team member Mo Way, Texas A&M entomologist. “He has been the mentor for me and many of us,” Stout says. “He’s the patriarch.”

New Tractor Utility Box

Finding room in a tractor cab for tools, parts and other items needed while in the field has always been an issue with operators. Now, John Deere has found a convenient solution with a new Tractor Utility Box.

“It is designed with a special front weight mount kit to be attached easily on the front weight support of the tractor,” says Phil Lauer, marketing manager, John Deere. “This will mount to as few as four weights up to a full rack.”

Screen Shot 2014-08-18 at 2.00.07 PMThe new Tractor Utility Box is the first to use a patent-pending weight mount system that bolts on in minutes. It can be easily removed or replaced as needed by the operator. The bracket system ensures stable mounting without compromising headlight use or tractor functions. The toolbox can be easily moved from machine to machine. The Tractor Utility Box (BRE10151) and Bracket Kit (BRE10153) are available now. Arkansas Rice, Cotton, Soybean Acreage Expected To Rise The number of Arkansas acres planted in rice, cotton, sorghum and soybean were all expected to rise in 2014, with declines seen for corn and winter wheat, according to the Prospective Plantings report issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The estimates for rice clocked in at 1.521 million acres, up from 1.076 million acres in 2013. Jarrod Hardke, Arkansas Extension rice specialist, said the USDA estimates are “right in line with university expectations.” Hardke said medium grain acreage was going to be a fluid situation this spring and would be determined by seed supply. Weather would also be a determining factor in shifting acres, he said.

Clarence Berken Honored

Service to forestry and farming was recognized recently as three giants in the industries were inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction at a banquet held at White Oak Plantation in Baton Rouge.

Screen Shot 2014-08-18 at 2.00.15 PMThis year’s inductees included Clarence Berken of Lake Arthur, Dennis R. Aucoin Sr. of Clinton and Ellis S. Martin (posthumously) of Alexandria. Berken has emerged as an agricultural leader with contributions in the rice, soybean and wheat farming industries. He serves as president of the Louisiana Rice Council, and he served two terms as president of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association.

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