Louisiana farmers pass rice referendum

I received this press release from Barrett Courville today. I would like to express a personal thank you to Louisiana rice farmers for supporting the LSU AgCenter rice entomology research and extension programs through annual grants funded by the Louisiana rice research board. This support is critical to research advances and extending information to growers through demonstration programs, meetings and information delivery over the computer. Without your support we truly could not conduct programs to support the Louisiana rice industry.

Beginning of press release:

Louisiana rice farmers overwhelmingly agreed to continue paying a nickel for every 100 pounds of rice for research and 3 cents per hundred pounds for promotion for the next five years.

The vote was held Jan. 17, and the final tally was made official Monday (Jan. 23) when the results were announced.

The totals showed 357 producers voting for the research check-off and 65 voting against, or 85 percent in favor of the measure and 15 percent against.

The promotion referendum was approved 321 to 107, or 75 percent for and 25 percent opposed.

Jackie Loewer, a rice farmer from Branch, La., and chairman of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, said the vote shows that an overwhelming majority of farmers approve of check-off funding.

Volunteer farmers serve on the promotion and research boards, and they decide how the money is to be spent.

“As farmers, everyone on both boards knows how difficult farming has become, and we will continue to carefully weigh how each dollar is spent,” Loewer said.

The bulk of the funds for research is earmarked for work at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station.

“I can assure farmers that they are getting their money’s worth,” said Steve Linscombe, Rice Research Station director. “A continuation of these check-off funds means that research can continue to develop new varieties and to improve rice farming practices.”

The funds for promoting rice are crucial, said Kevin Berken, of Lake Arthur, La., who is chairman of the promotion board.

“If we can’t sell a crop, then it doesn’t matter how successful farmers are at growing rice,” Berken said. “Approval of these funds means we can carry on with the very successful domestic and international promotion activities that these funds support.”

“Bottom line is, without research we couldn’t grow it, and without promotion, we can’t sell it,” Loewer said.

###

Writer: Bruce Schultz at 337-788-8821 or bschultz@agcenter.lsu.edu

Louisiana Rice Industry Annual Meeting Set for Jan. 25

I received this meeting notice from County Agent Barrett Courville today. I hope you can come out to the meeting.  I was recently selected to participate in the USA Rice Leadership Development Program. I’ll be attending the dinner in Crowley after I give a sugarcane presentation in Breaux Bridge.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — JANUARY 11, 2012

Contacts: Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009, rjemison@usarice.com

Stacy Fitzgerald-Redd, (703) 236-1458, sfitzgerald-redd@usarice.com

Louisiana Rice Industry Annual Meeting Set for Jan. 25

CROWLEY, LA — The Louisiana Rice Council (LARC) and Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LARGA) will hold their joint annual membership meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the International Rice Festival Building.

The featured speaker will be State Senator Jonathan Perry, “The Cajun Ambassador,™” who will deliver his special brand of Cajun humor to attendees.

LARC President Clarence Berken and LARGA President Christian Richard will provide updates on their organization’s activities. USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward will report on the Federation’s activities and promotional achievements and USA Rice VP Government Affairs Reece Langley will review the outlook for the next farm bill.

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain will discuss environmental issues facing Louisiana agriculture and provide an update on efforts to address saltwater intrusion in the Mermentau and Calcasieu River basins.

“This meeting provides an annual report to rice farmers on programs funded by the Louisiana rice promotion checkoff as well as timely information on other important issues,” said Richard, a rice farmer from Vermilion Parish. “I encourage all rice industry stakeholders to attend.”

The meeting will be held at the International Rice Festival Building, 717 West Mill Street, Crowley, LA. The event will begin with a coffee and cookies reception at 5 p.m., followed by the business session, industry reports, dinner and the featured speaker. The program should conclude at 7:45 p.m.

Media are invited to attend. For more details please contact the USA Rice Federation.

USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.

Randy Jemison

USA Rice Federation

Director, Louisiana Field Services

27460 Greenwood Dr.

Kinder, LA 70648

Ph: 337-738-7009

Fax: 337-738-5884

Cell: 33-515-7250

rjemison@usarice.com

www.usarice.com

Help us select a topic for the rice pest management session at RTWG 2012

Dr. Mo Way (Texas A&M/AgriLife Entomologist) and I have been asked to give a 30 minute presentation/discussion on rice insect pest management at the Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) meeting in Hot Springs, AR on Monday Feb 27 from 1-5pm (other topics will be covered by other researchers). Please respond to this poll to let us know which topic(s) are of most interest to you. Thanks!

2011 in review – Thanks to everyone who follows the blog!

We are two days into the winter meeting season, and so far the crowds have been good. Don’t forget to attend one of our meetings to get the latest research updates from LSU AgCenter scientists. In the meantime, I thought you might like to look over the 2011 annual report for this blog. Thanks to all of you for reading this blog and sharing the knowledge with others! Credit is especially due to the great folks at AgFax who were the #1 referrers of our site. Here’s to an even better year in 2012!

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 20,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

LSU AgCenter pesticide education coordinator position announcement

Happy New Year! I hope your 2012 is off to a good start! Tomorrow we will kick off the winter meeting season with the first rice and soybean meeting in Welsh, Louisiana. In the meantime, I would like to make you aware of a recent position announcement at the LSU AgCenter. If you are looking for a position of this type, I encourage you to apply. Send me an email if you have any questions. Please note that the position closes on January 6, 2012 or until a suitable candidate is identified. You can access the job posting at this link:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/about_us/Human_Resources/Job_Opportunities/nonclassified/002765-Extension-Associate–Instructor-Pesticide-Safety-Educational-Coordinator–W-A-Callegari-Envir.htm

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
EXTENSION ASSOCIATE / INSTRUCTOR
(PESTICIDE EDUCATIONAL COORDINATOR)
(Anticipated)

WORK LOCATION: W.A. Callegari Environmental Center, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position will be responsible for coordinating statewide Pesticide Safety Education within the LSU AgCenter’s Cooperative Extension Service. This will include developing, organizing and coordinating training (though parish and regional extension agents) that will lead to agricultural producers receiving training to achieve or maintain certification as Private Pesticide Applicators. Certification from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is required in order to use or supervise the use of Restricted Use Pesticides on private land or land rented to produce an agricultural commodity. Pesticide applicators who apply any pesticide for a fee must also be certified by LDAF as Commercial Pesticide Applicators or work under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Educational training that leads to certification is conducted by the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service through leadership provided by the person in this position.

This position conducts the Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training Program (CAPSE) and gives oversight, guidance and assistance to the Private Pesticide Applicator Training Program (PPSE), working cooperatively with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF). Approximately 13 other LSU AgCenter Extension Service specialists participate in the CAPSE Program as their specialty dictates. The PPSE Program is conducted on the parish level; therefore, the County Agents are vital in coordination and in conducting this program.

This position also chairs the AgCenter’s Special Local Needs Committee which makes recommendations to the LDAF concerning the granting of state labels for pesticide use. This position also keeps the AgCenter employees updated as to pesticide rules and regulations and is available to respond to AgCenter employees’ questions about various pesticides and their uses. The person in this position is also responsible for responding to public concerns about pesticides and their use as well as responding to the agricultural community. There is also a public education/outreach dimension, that is, to conduct an educational program for the general public, Master Gardeners via publications, fact sheets and speaking to service/civic clubs, as needed. Additionally, coordination and support for agent training, Master Farmer certification training and environmental stewardship as it pertains to pesticide application, best management practices (BMPs) and environmental stewardship will be expected.

This position must be able to work cooperatively with the Pesticide Safety Educators in other states, especially those in EPA Region VI. Also this position must work cooperatively with the Environmental Protection Agency both Region VI and Headquarters as well as with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural related field and at least five (5) years experience in state and federal pesticide certification policy, management and/or training. Master’s degree preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 6, 2012 or until a suitable candidate is identified

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Must apply online at https://lsusystemcareers.lsu.edu/ by attaching cover letter, resume, transcripts and two letters of recommendation. (Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted.) For more information, please see contact below. In lieu of attaching the letters online, they may be sent directly to:

Dr. Bill Carney, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Head
W.A. Callegari Environmental Center
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
P.O. Box 25100
Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100
Phone: 225-578-6998
Lab: 225-765-5155
Fax: 225-578-7765
Email: bcarney@agcenter.lsu.edu
Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com/callegari/

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

LSU AgCenter Evangeline & St. Landry Parish Crop Production School, January 4, 2012

Today I received this information from Keith A. Fontenot, County Agent, Evangeline Parish. I am not on the program to speak at this meeting, but I will be there to distribute our annual rice entomology survey and to answer any questions you might have about pest management in your rice crop.

EVANGELINE & ST LANDRY PARISH

CROP PRODUCTION SCHOOL SCHEDULED 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012– Registration at 7:30 a.m.

Ville Platte Civic Center

Two of Evangeline & St. Landry Parish’s most economically important crops will be discussed at length at the 52nd Annual Rice Production School and 45th Annual Soybean Production School.  These production schools will be held together on Wednesday, January 4 with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Ville Platte Civic Center.

Topics to be discussed by specialists and researchers with the LSU Agricultural Center will center on updated production practices concerning both crops.

Recertification is also offered on this day to all producers or homeowners needing recertification of their Private Pesticide Applicators Card.   If you register, pay the $25.00 fee and attend the entire meeting, you will be recertified as a private pesticide applicator for another 3 year period.

These private applicator re-certification meetings will also be offered in February.  At the meetings in February you will only be required to stay 1 ½ hours to be re-certified.

The program agenda and speakers are as follows:

7:30-8:00         Registration, Coffee & Donuts

Register for Private Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification

($25.00 fee & attend entire meeting)

8:00-8:05         Welcome & Introductions – Jeffery Sylvester, President, Evangeline Rice Growers Association

8:05-8:25         Rice Varieties, Breeding Program Update – Dr. Steve Linscombe, Southwest Regional Director, Rice Breeder

8:25-8:50         Effects of High Temperatures on Rice – Dr. Johnny Saichuk, Rice Specialist, LSU AgCenter

8:50-9:15         SPCC Regulations – Dr. Ernest Girouard, Coordinator, La. Master  Farmer Program, LSU AgCenter

9:15-9:35         Rice Weed Management – Dr. Eric Webster, Weed Scientist, Agronomy Dept, LSU

9:35-9:45         BREAK

9:45-10:05       Nitrogen soil Testing, N-Star Program Testing – Dr. Dustin Harrell, Agronomist, Rice Research Station

10:05- 10:25    Rice Disease Management & Fungicide Usage – Dr. Don Groth, Pathologist, Rice Research Station, LSU AgCenter

10:25-10:45     Rice Market Situation & Outlook – Dr. Mike Salassi, Professor, Ag Economics, LSU AgCenter

10:45–10:55    BREAK

10:55-11:20     Soybean Varieties & Management Practices – Dr. Ronnie Levy, Soybean Specialist, LSU AgCenter

11:20-11:45     Soybean & Grain Sorghum Market Situation & Outlook – Dr. Kurt Guidry, Associate Professor, Ag Economics, LSU AgCenter

11:45-12:15     Worker Protection Standard for Farmers Drift Minimalization & Pesticide Re-Certification Training - Keith A Fontenot,                  County Agent, Evangeline Parish

12:15               Sign Re-Certification forms – Department of Agriculture Personnel

(must have attended entire meeting)

12:15   Lunch –  Courtesy of Ag Businesses & Suppliers listed on program

The Annual Rice and Soybean Schools are sponsored by the following agricultural supporting businesses and industries:

Acadiana Risk Management

Agriliance/Retail Ag Solutions

Agrotain

BASF

Basile State Bank

Bayer Crop Science

Central Farmers Co-op

Citizens Bank

Crop Production Services

Delta Grow Seed Co.

Dupont Crop Protection

Evangeline  Rice Growers Assn

Evangeline Bank & Trust

Evangeline Farm Bureau

Evangeline Farmers Co-op

First South Farm Credit ACA

G &  H Seed Co.

Gowan Company

Guaranty Bank of Mamou

Hancock Bank

Mamou Rice Drier

Manuel Hardware Inc.

Monsanto Seeds

Ortego Services Inc.

Pioneer

Progressive Tractor

Quality Equipment – Eunice

RiceTec

Soileau Industries Inc.

Syngenta

Terral Seed

Tri-Parish Bank of Eunice

Valent USA

Ville Platte Rice Drier

The LSU AgCenter prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disabilities, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  Persons with disabilities, who require alternative means for communication of program information or other assistance, should contact the Evangeline Parish Office of the LSU AgCenter at (337) 363-5646.

Rice water weevil demonstration program results – 2011

A portion of the rice water weevil field crew. From left to right: Anna Meszaros, Nick Colligan, Jordan Fryoux, Natalie Hummel, Jimmy Meaux and David Albano.

Rice water weevil (RWW) management demonstrations have been conducted for the past four field seasons. The purpose of these demonstrations is to evaluate currently recommended insecticides on commercial rice farms in Louisiana to control RWW. These trials are a joint effort between county agents, farmers, consultants, seed dealers and chemical distributors. In 2011, we compared three insecticide seed treatments (CruiserMaxx, Dermacor X-100 and NipsIt INSIDE) to an untreated check. Each treatment was planted in two strips at each location. A total of 6 locations were included in the 2011 demonstration test. The commercial farms were located in Acadia, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Jeff Davis, Rapides and St. Landry parishes. We took stand count data 2 weeks after seedling emergence at five locations and RWW core samples (10 cores / plot) 4 weeks after permanent flood to assess the relative efficacy of treatments at all 6 locations.

The on-farm demonstrations were conducted in the parishes indicated in purple.

At five of the six locations we planted the variety XL745. Thus, the seeding rates were low and the results of our study may not translate to field planted at a higher seeding rate (more than 25 pound seeding rates).

We found no significant difference between stand counts. Plant heights were significantly greater in CruiserMaxx and Nipsit INSIDE treatments than in Dermacor X-100. When we analyzed the RWW core sample data we found that all seed treatments had significantly fewer RWW larvae per core than the untreated check (average 12.9 RWW larvae/core). Dermacor X-100 (average of 2.5 rww larvae/core) provided the highest level of control, whereas Nipsit INSIDE (average 7.9 larvae/core) and CruiserMaxx (average 7.9 larvae/core) provided intermediate levels of control.

We conclude from these observations that if you are planting rice at low seeding rates (less than #25) and decide to use a neonicotinoid seed treatment (CruiserMaxx or Nipsit INSIDE) you should scout the field at the time of flood for the presence of rice water weevil adults. If you find a high population of rice water weevil adults, you may want to consider applying a pyrethroid to provide additional protection from rice water weevils. However, if you use Dermacor X-100, be aware that it does not provide protection against other early season pests such as thrips, aphids, and Colaspis.

This project was coordinated by Natalie Hummel, Anna Meszaros and Mike Stout. Thank you to all of our cooperators: LSU AgCenter County Agents: Barrett Courville, Trent Clark, Vince Deshotel, Rob Ferguson, Keith Fontenot, Matt Martin, Jimmy Meaux, Dusty Zaunbrecher; Rice farmers: Chris & Randy Dauzat, Charlie Fontenot, Johnny Hensgens, Kenneth LaHaye, Glen & Wes Simon, Mark Stelly, Bill Wild; Crop Consultants and Company Representatives: Rusty Elston, Dennis Fontenot, Kent Guillory, Rustin Gilder, Cullen Minter, Dean Reed, Randy Verret; our Field Crew: Nick Colligan, David Albano, Jordan Fryoux, Marty Frey and the rice station entomology crew. Finally, we could not have completed this project without the financial support of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, DuPont, Syngenta and Valent.

I’ll discuss these results in the rice winter meetings. How did the seed treatments look at your farm?

Avoyelles Parish Rice Production Clinic, January 11, 2012

The Avoyelles Parish LSU AgCenter Rice Production Clinic will be held on January 11, 2012 at the Masonic Lodge in Bunkie, LA. Here is the agenda for the clinic. Please contact county agent Rob Ferguson for more information: referguson@agcenter.lsu.edu

8:30                Welcome

8:40                Rice Variety and Breeding Update, Dr. Steve Linscombe, Rice Research Station

9:05                Rice Fertility and Management Tips, Dr. Dustin Harrell, Rice Research Station

9:30                Rice Disease control update, Dr. Don Groth, Rice Research Station

9:55                Rice Insect control update, Dr. Natalie Hummel, LSU AgCenter Department of Entomology

10:20             Break

10:35             Rice Production and weed control, Dr. Johnny Saichuk, Rice Specialist

11:25               Rice Situation and Outlook, Dr. Kurt Guidry, LSU AgCenter Department of Ag Economics

11:50              Worker Protection Standard and Pesticide Drift MANAGEMENT, Rob Ferguson, LSU AgCenter

12:20              CENLA Rice Growers Association, Randy Jemison, USA Rice Federation

12:35p.m.     Lunch

It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.

If you have a disability that requires special assistance or accommodation for your participation in the program, please contact Rob Ferguson, LSU AgCenter, at 318-964-2245 by January 9, 2012.

NOTE: ATTENDANCE OF THE ENTIRE MEETING IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO BE RECERTIFIED! 

Rice Stink Bug Demonstration Program Results – 2011

As you may recall, we received approval for a Section 18 registration for Tenchu 20SG to control rice stink bug in Louisiana rice. This approval came very late in the season when most of the southern crop was either harvested, or well on it’s way to harvest. Fortunately, we were able to work with a team of county agents to line up some field locations and compare the efficacy of Tenchu 20SG to pyrethroid treatments. Here is a brief report of what we learned.

Nine field sites across Louisiana were identified for participation in the demonstration program. At all locations two adjacent fields or cuts were sprayed separately with a pyrethroid or Tenchu 20SG. Sweep net samples were taken within 24 to 48 hours prior to spraying at each site between the growth stages of anthesis and hard dough. Insecticides were applied by aerial applicators at recommended rates for both products: 8 oz/ac of Tenchu 20 SG, 2 oz/ac of Karate, and 4 oz of Mustang Max. Additional sweep net counts were taken at 48 hours and 7 days after treatment to determine residual effects of either treatment against infestation of RSB. The pyrethroid portion of one field site remained above threshold at the 48 hour sampling point and was treated with a second application at 48 hours to prevent further damage. Samples of rough rice were collected from all treated sites at harvest and analyzed by a USDA certified inspector at Bertrand Rice in Elton, LA to determine percent pecky rice and determine the USDA grade of the sample.

We analysed the data in SAS using a Proc Mixed Procedure. The average number of RSB per 10 sweeps was not significantly different when analyzed by treatment or time. There was no significant difference in the percentage of peck between treatments, and no grade reductions were applied to any samples gathered.

Thus, we concluded that either Tenchu 20SG or pyrethroids, when applied appropriately, both provided good control of RSB and prevented grade reductions due to peck in our demonstration test. We are continuing to conduct research on rice stink bug thresholds and treatment strategies. I’ll talk about these results at the winter production meetings in 2012. We will also present these results in a poster at the Rice Technical Working Group meeting in 2012.

Special thanks to all our demonstration cooperators: Floyd Baker, David Bertrand, Keith Collins, Richard Costello, Chris & Randy Dauzat, Barrett Courville, Rusty Elston, Terry Erwin, Eddie Eskew, Rob Ferguson, Noble Guedon, Michael Hensgens, Nan Huff, Ron Landis, Mitchell Leger, Cecil Parker and Larry White.

This project was coordinated by Bryce Blackman, Mike Stout, Anna Meszaros and myself.

Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum in Rayville, LA on January 26, 2012

The Louisiana Rice Forum will be held at the Rayville Civic Center on Thursday, January 26, 2011. The preliminary agenda follows. For more information please contact county agent Keith Collins: kcollins@agcenter.lsu.edu

8:30-9:00am  - Registration

9:30 – Steve Linscombe – Rice varieties/breeding program update

9:50 – Dustin Harrell – Rice Fertility/N-Star update

10:10 – Natalie Hummel – Rice Insects/Insecticides

10:30 – Johnny Saichuk  – Rice Production Issues

10:50 – Break

11:20 – Betsy Ward, USA Rice Federation, CEO, Federation Activities

11:40 – Reece Langley, USA Rice, Farm Bill update

12:00 – Lunch