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

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

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.

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 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.

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?

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! 

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.

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