Fearlessly wading into production challenges
May 26, 2023
MAMOU, LA – As the southwest Louisiana rice crop begins to gain momentum, growers and industry reps in the region joined researchers from the Louisiana State University AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey (HRC) Rice Research Station on Wednesday to hear early reports on the field variety trials in their perspective areas.
Drs. Adam Famoso, Ronnie Levy, Blake Wilson, Conner Webster, and Felipe Dalla Lana were on hand at the Bieber’s Farm here to give updates and tips on production management practices, addressing early season issues experienced throughout the region.
Highlights included discussions on some of the more promising lines in the trials from the breeding program, herbicide recommendations, and dealing with the ever-growing infestations by the apple snail in both rice and crawfish ponds.
Other topics centered on the early season weather pattern and the unique issues seen during the extended cool temperatures and overcast days in late March and April that followed planting.
Dr. Webster said some of the early season weeds, such as Carolina Foxtail, that growers are dealing with were somewhat rare, as some winter weeds re-emerged that are not typical in this area.
Growers were reminded to reach out to local extension agents or the Research Station with issues and questions. They also were encouraged to bring samples of plants for analysis by the research staff to help determine the exact nature of specific challenges their crop may be facing. This is especially important as the crop moves into the reproductive phase.
The Louisiana Field Day schedule is filling up with the Acadia Field Day on June 14 at the HRC South Station; RiceTec and Horizon Ag Field Days on June 27; and the Rice Research Station Annual Field Day on June 28, with tours beginning at 7:00 a.m.