Feb 03, 2016
RAYVILLE, LA – Yesterday morning the Rayville Civic Center was standing room only as more than 50 rice growers crowded the hall for the Northeast Louisiana Rice Forum.
Attendees heard from a star-studded line up of speakers from the Louisiana State University AgCenter with updates on rice varieties, diseases, fertility, insects, weeds, and the new Price Loss Coverage program. Speakers included: Dr. Tara Smith of Winnsboro; Dr. Steve Linscombe of Crowley; Dr. Don Groth of Crowley; Dr. Dustin Harrell of Crowley; Dr. Sebe Brown of Winnsboro; Eric Webster of Baton Rouge; and Dr. Kurt Guidry of Baton Rouge.
USA Rice staff rounded out the presentations with Farm Bill program updates and a legislative and regulatory report from Washington, D.C.
Jason Waller, a Louisiana rice farmer and outgoing president of the Louisiana Rice Growers Association, said, “We’re happy USA Rice has been able to partner with us and participate at our meetings and field days over the years. It’s important for us to be able to have our state and region’s voices carried to Washington; we’ve seen results that actually make sense for us on the ground level as growers.”
Waller concluded, “The number one issue we want prioritized by the industry is increased exports for rice. That’s really what’s going to keep us in business and keep us planting rice year after year.”
Following the presentations and a hearty lunch, the Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers Association met and elected Jim Lingo and Scott Franklin as their new president and vice president, respectively. USA Rice looks forward to working closely with the Association and its new leadership.