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...

I agree with the old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I am asking all of you to please send me photos of your operation as the season begins and progresses throughout the year. One...

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.

Are we moving forward? Now that the Farm Bill has been signed and that debate is over, it’s time for the U.S. agricultural community to give some serious attention to improving access to the Cuban market. In all honesty, it’s...

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...

Clean Early, Clean Late DR. JARROD T. HARDKE ARKANSAS Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service [email protected] Good season-long weed control begins with good early season weed control. A good burndown application or tillage practice prior to planting sets the tone for the year....

Horizon Ag Names New General Manager Highly regarded Mississippi rice agronomist, Dr. Tim Walker, will become the new general manager of Horizon Ag. Walker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in rice research and agronomy to the company. He...

When your back’s against the wall, you tend to think out of the box. If you find yourself in Arkansas rice farmer Jackie Ray Banks’s circumstances, you may have to think outside of the window, the planting window. Consider this...

By John Anderson - Farmers Storage, Inc., Essex, Mo. Rice quality, specifically chalk, has been the buzz phrase lately with buyers and farmers both. In recent years, the quality of U.S. rice has not been as attractive to buyers in...