• By Bruce Schultz • Crawfish producer Allen McLain’s business has dropped dramatically because of the coronavirus’ impact on the restaurant business. “We’re struggling. It’s not looking good,” said McLain of Abbeville, Lousiana. A big portion of his business is selling his product to area restaurants, but he said that has been sharply reduced. Crawfish are plentiful and have grown ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Planting is underway or about to start for most crops in Louisiana, and farmers are watching the markets closely as the world economy reels from the fallout created by the novel coronavirus. Louisiana State University AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto said commodities are looking better this week, and the stock market has improved. But uncertainty from ... Read More »
With a glut of crawfish on the market, prices are dropping, and consumers might be interested in boiling and freezing crawfish at home. Many restaurants have closed or switched to takeout- and drive-through-only operations amid concerns about spreading the novel coronavirus. That means restaurants aren’t buying nearly as much crawfish as they usually do. Evelyn Watts, Louisiana State University AgCenter ... Read More »
The American Multi Cultural Ethnic Coalition recently honored Louisiana State University AgCenter rice researcher Ida Wenefrida as one of the Top 20 Global Woman of Excellence for 2020 at a recent Chicago ceremony. The honor recognizes women from around the world, including Poland, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand and Africa. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago presented the awards at a ... Read More »
New Clearfield long grain from the LSU AgCenter boasts improved yields and disease package. • By Vicky Boyd, Editor • The Louisiana State University AgCenter has released CLL17, a new early season, semi-dwarf, long-grain, Clearfield rice variety for registered seed production this season. It will be available commercially to growers through Horizon Ag in 2021. From the breeding program of ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Farmers at the recent Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum heard about the benefits and challenges of growing row rice. The practice uses irrigation with collapsible poly tubing or rainwater to keep soil moist, but no permanent flood is maintained. Levees are not required, so farmers can wait until planting to make crop decisions. Mike Salassi, Louisiana ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Rice farmers preparing for the 2020 crop heard recently from LSU AgCenter experts about what they should be considering before they get into the fields. The meetings were held in Welsh, Vidrine and Crowley, and more are scheduled. Don Groth, resident coordinator of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, said the medium-grain ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • A group of seven Chinese rice buyers visited the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station Dec. 12 as part of their tour through U.S. rice-growing areas. During the visit, China and the U.S. reached a preliminary trade agreement that increases Chinese purchases of a wide range of agricultural products, including rice. A Chinese ... Read More »
• By Bruce Schultz • Rice farmers, researchers and industry representatives from rice-growing states, including Louisiana, met in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dec. 8-10 for the annual Rice Outlook Conference and Trade Show. Louisiana farmer Jason Waller of Mer Rouge, Louisiana, was among seven people chosen for the new Rice Leadership Class. Waller also is a member of the Louisiana Rice ... Read More »
• By Kurt Guidry • When examining the market environment for the 2019 rice crop, there are several factors that could be pointed to that would suggest the potential for stronger prices. Adverse conditions at planting, challenging growing season conditions, and lower acreage and production expectations all would suggest higher prices. But despite these supply-side signals, prices during the first ... Read More »
Rice Farming A One Grower Publication