News Release Distributed 06/10/10

CROWLEY, La. – Scientists and rice industry representatives from across the nation and the world are expected to attend the 101st LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station Field Day on July 1.

“The presentations at the field day will cover the entire spectrum of growing a rice crop,” said Steve Linscombe, the station’s director. “This gives our scientists the opportunity to tell farmers about the research being done at the station and the latest in recommendations for commercial rice production.”

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with the field tours of the station’s research plots. Scientists will give brief talks about their projects. The last tour will depart at 9:15 a.m.

At the first stop on the tour, Linscombe, also a rice breeder, and Xueyan Sha, LSU AgCenter rice breeder, will tell farmers what new potential varieties are in development. Eric Webster and Justin Hensley, both LSU AgCenter weed scientists, will discuss their work on weed control.

Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist, will advise farmers on rice disease control, along with guest presenter Rick Cartwright, University of Arkansas plant pathologist.

Mike Stout and Natalie Hummel, LSU AgCenter entomologists, will talk about insect control.

Weike Li, LSU AgCenter hybrid rice breeder, and Jim Oard, LSU AgCenter rice geneticist, will talk about their work to develop hybrid rice.

Rice fertilization and agronomic practices will be the final topic to be discussed by Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter agronomist, and Garry McCauley, Texas A&M rice production specialist.

In addition, researchers from the LSU AgCenter and others in the rice industry will have posters displayed with updates on their work until 10:30 a.m. Farmers will be able to talk with researchers.

At 10:45 a.m., the group will gather indoors for a series of speakers, followed by a sponsored lunch. Speakers include Michael Salassi, LSU AgCenter economist, who will give a market outlook for the 2010 rice crop and talk about the upcoming farm bill, and Dwight Roberts, president and chief executive officer for the U.S. Rice Producers Association.

In addition, Jackie Loewer, Louisiana Rice Research Board chairman, will give an update on LRRB activities, and Frank Rehermann, USA Rice Producers Group chairman, will talk about issues facing the U.S. rice industry.

Remarks will also be made by administrators from the LSU AgCenter – Bill Richardson, chancellor; David Boethel, vice chancellor for research; and Paul Coreil, vice chancellor for extension.

Boethel said the quality research done at the station makes it one of the best facilities of its kind in the nation.

“The varieties produced by the station’s breeders and the research-based recommendations for farmers that have come out of research at the station have put it squarely on the cutting edge of agricultural technology,” Boethel said.