LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Mike Stout is continuing his work to help farmers with their No. 1 insect pest, the rice water weevil.

Dr. Johnny Saichuk, LSU AgCenter Extension rice specialist, has become a traveling correspondent, relaying observations and thoughts in his weekly “Field Notes.”

LSU AgCenter rice breeder Dr. Xueyan Sha makes a cross by using a flowering rice plant from the greenhouse.

Improvements in rice varieties are likely from the RiceCAP project, a collaboration involving the LSU AgCenter, eight other universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

LSU AgCenter Communications has been actively supporting the efforts of the Louisiana Rice Research Board, rice growers across the state and AgCenter faculty members involved in rice research for more than eight years.

LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Dustin Harrell of the AgCenter’s Rice Research Station conducts a wide range of research to figure out how farmers can get the most effective benefits from fertilizer applications.

The new federal farm bill passed recently by Congress has increased the level of complexity faced by farmers.

The threat of Cercospora will remain a slight possibility for the 2009 crop, even though it hasn’t been a widespread problem since 2006, according to Dr. Don Groth, LSU AgCenter pathologist at the Rice Research Station.

LSU AgCenter molecular biologist Dr. Herry Utomo is on a mission to find genes of interest to improve rice varieties.

After 12 years of development by the LSU AgCenter, an experimental line of an aromatic Jasmine-type rice is a likely candidate for release for the 2009 growing season.