Taking advantage of some sunshine
Oct 22, 2018
CROWLEY, LA – Earlier this month, I embarked on an ambitious tour of farms, mills, and co-ops in southern Louisiana with Kane Webb, USA Rice Louisiana field specialist, as my guide. The week-long adventure was an educational experience, and with ratoon cutting season in full swing, there was no shortage of action on and off the field.
My farm tour began in Perry with George Segrera, a third generation rice and crawfish farmer. George let me take a ride on a combine while he cut his second crop during a rare sunny moment in the unseasonably rainy weather. I also visited with Allen McClain and his family in Abbeville who talked about the challenges and benefits of rice farming, as well as Allen’s experience as a graduate of the 2016/2018 Rice Development Leadership Class. The Zaunbrecher brothers from Duson gave a tutorial on their farming methods, and then I toured Christian Richard’s immaculate shop on his farm in Kaplan where he often hosts receptions for USA Rice-sponsored events.
Mill tours included stops at Falcon Rice and Supreme Rice, both in Crowley, as well as Farmers Rice Milling Company in Lake Charles. We also made a special detour to visit the Louisiana State University Rice Research Station where I learned about the facility’s history and the evolution of crop technology.
I also toured the Port of Lake Charles where U.S. rice is currently being staged and loaded onto vessels headed for Iraq. This is the first of two major shipments that will be processed in Louisiana providing an economic boost to the state’s rice industry. Rice production and processing is big business in Louisiana generating annual economic activity of almost $200 million and accounting for thousands of jobs.
The week culminated with the Second Annual Louisiana Rice Ball hosted by the Louisiana Rice Political Action Committee at the historic Grand Opera House in Crowley. The event was a grand celebration with great food, lively music, and special words of gratitude from Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain.
I am truly grateful that so many Louisiana members took time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise with me. I now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of what it takes to bring the crop from the field to the table and feel I am even better positioned to represent the industry.