Louisiana corn farmers are harvesting what could be a record corn crop — when the weather allows them to run their combines through the fields.
Rain showers, particularly in the afternoon, have been plaguing farmers recently. Still, many farmers are saying this year’s crop could be their best one, said Dan Fromme, LSU AgCenter corn specialist.
Chefs from New Orleans and Baton Rouge examine a tray of brown rice at the milling lab of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. The chefs attended the station’s annual field day as part of a tour arranged by Jazzmen Rice of New Orleans. (Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter)
An aerial photo taken with a drone shows LSU AgCenter rice breeders Steve Linscombe and Adam Famoso during the field day at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station on June 28. Photo by Brady Williams/LSU AgCenter
Farmers at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station Field Day watch a demonstration of a drone being used to pollinate an enclosed plot of hybrid rice. Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter
More than 400 people attended the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station field day on June 28 to hear about the latest work being done to help rice farmers.
During the field tour, Steve Linscombe, LSU AgCenter rice breeder and station director, said the new Provisia rice technology has taken five years to develop, with one line ready for release as a variety and three new lines in the works.
The LSU AgCenter has notified the Board of Supervisors of their intent to contract with GB Sciences, Inc., to produce a medical marijuana product for qualifying patients. GB Sciences will work under the LSU AgCenter license in compliance with state law and rules established by regulatory agencies.
LSU AgCenter rice breeder Steve Linscombe talks at the Vermilion rice field day on June 25 about new varieties and hybrids under development. (Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter)
This year’s Louisiana rice planting, estimated at 400,000 acres, is 8 percent less than last year, according to LSU AgCenter rice extension specialist Dustin Harrell.
AgCenter estimates for the 2016 crop were 432,168 acres.
Harrell told farmers at a rice field day in Vermilion Parish on June 25 that the 2017 crop got an early start because of warm weather.
Some rice was planted in February, and rice in those fields have already headed. “We’ll probably be two weeks earlier on our harvest,” he said.
Poor prices, weather and diseases have caused Louisiana wheat production to drop to 16,000 acres, LSU AgCenter experts said at a field day held April 19 at the Macon Ridge Research Station.
Statewide wheat acreage was about 150,000 just three years ago, according to the 2014 AgCenter Ag Summary.
Fusarium head blight, a fungal disease of wheat also known as scab, has been a big problem in Louisiana and is a main reason why acreage is down, said AgCenter plant pathologist Trey Price.
465 Aymond St.
Eunice, LA 70535
Phone: 337-457-3061
Fax: 337-457-3122