Dr. Johnny Saichuk and research associate Kim Landry examine a weed found during their weekly visit to a rice verification field. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

LSU AgCenter rice specialist Dr. Johnny Saichuk, at left, walks the field of Ronnie “Blue” Zaunbrecher, at right, near Lake Charles. Saichuk gathers information and photographs from his weekly visits to rice verification fields to use in his weekly “Field Notes” e-mail newsletter. (Photo by Bruce Schultz)

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

Since 2005, he has sent out his Field Notes in an e-mail newsletter to producers, crop consultants and others in the industry.

Saichuk said writing the column and taking photographs for it has resulted in a compilation of information and images since 2005.

"Any problem I have encountered in the past four years, I have a picture of it," he said.

Saichuk regularly travels to North Louisiana to check on fields in the LSU AgCenter Rice Verification Program – and that also allows him to include updates and trends in the northern rice-growing area.

"I get to see things that farmers won’t because I’m in so many different fields," Saichuk said.

He estimates completing the column – including taking the pictures, writing and composing the layout – requires four to six hours of work per installment. And he says the newsletter allows him to cover topics in more detail.

"There are things you don’t have time to talk about at production meetings," Saichuk said. "It’s taking advantage of anything that presents itself. I let the season dictate what I write and photograph, because every year is different."

The LSU AgCenter Extension specialist said he especially enjoys taking photographs, and he said feedback from readers tells him the pictures are especially well-received.

The photographs show current problems and situations that were in the field, often just a few hours before Field Notes was sent out.

He also writes about unusual sightings during his North Louisiana sojourns, like watching a huge deer on the roadside, high water at the Old River Control Structure or a rice field scorched by a lightning strike.

Saichuk said he had been sending out information to county agents, but Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice Research Station, urged him to start a regular column on a widespread basis.

Saichuk admits some reluctance to start the column, but adds, "Now I really like doing it. When you’ve got something producers like, and you like to do, it meshes well."

Saichuk said in 2009 he plans to take more pictures of weed and grass seedlings and more of the ordinary aspects of rice farming. –Bruce Schultz