Click here for the PDF version of the Macon Ridge Research Station Profile.

You can access the PDF version of the Macon Ridge Research Station Profile below.

The research station is located immediately south of Winnsboro on Highway 15. The office is on the west side of the highway. 750 acres, including approximately 400 acres in row crops, 120 acres in pasture and some woodlands.

212A Macon Ridge Road, Winnsboro, LA 71295
Phone: 318-435-2157
Fax: 318-435-2133
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
E-mail


LSUAgCenter.com/Maconridgestation

Contact: Wink Alison, Research Station Coordinator


Research focus:

Agronomic Row Crops
All aspects of production research with corn, cotton, soybeans, grain sorghum and wheat in the following scientific areas:

• Agronomy
• Entomology
• Plant Pathology
• Weed Science

Forage Crops
Agronomic production research with both warm- and cool-season forage crops.

Biofuel Crops
Evaluation of production practices for crops of potential use in the emerging biofuel industry.

Entomology
This project is involved in integrated pest management (IPM) research to determine optimum strategies to reduce the destructive effect of insect pests on most agronomic crops while minimizing environmental risks. Significant effort has been focused on evaluating transgenic technology to determine the effect on overall strategies for insect pest management in row crop production. Research is also conducted to develop IPM strategies that minimize the potential for pesticide resistance in crop-damaging insects.

Plant Pathology
Research in plant pathology is focused on evaluating strategies to control or minimize the effects of plant diseases on crop production and profitability. Input is provided to plant breeders to assist with development of varieties with resistance or tolerance to many of the prevalent row crop diseases. Fungicide efficacy and potential benefits are routinely evaluated. Results from this program are used extensively by county agents, producers and agricultural consultants to determine needs for disease control in most agronomic row crops.

Row Crop Agronomy
There has been a significant research effort in conservation tillage for agronomic crops grown in northeast Louisiana. Results from these studies have led to widespread use of reduced tillage in crop production in the area. Other agronomic practices, such as plant population, planting date, row spacing, and fertilization, are also evaluated. Varieties of most agronomic crops are evaluated at the research station, and strategies are developed for producing multiple crops on a given land area within the same year.

Weed Science
The research basis is to develop weed-management strategies for rice, corn, soybeans, cotton and grain sorghum. Four main areas of work are: 1) preplant, 2) in-season, 3) post-harvest and 4) fall weed management. Crop and weed response to new and existing herbicides and herbicide-resistance management are important components of the research effort.

Forage Agronomy
Evaluation of forage species and varieties and impact of grazing management on productivity.

Significance of Research

• Pest management strategies developed at this location are widely adopted and reduce the incidence of resistance in insect pests.
• Agronomic research has been instrumental in widespread adaptation of conservation tillage practices in row crop production in Louisiana.
• Research conducted in plant pathology provides information and solutions to minimize the effects of potential disease outbreaks.
• Effective weed management programs have been developed through research to protect yields of all major agronomic crops in the area.
• Clovers and tall fescue are more widely used in pastures throughout north Louisiana as a result of research at this location.
• Research at the Macon Ridge Research Station is focused on improving profitability of agriculture through the use of environmentally sound production practices.

　
2009 Industry Facts

• Gross farm value in Louisiana of agronomic crops evaluated in research programs at the Macon Ridge Research Station was approximately $1.2 billion in 2009.
• Beef cattle and hay production had gross farm value of approximately $450 million during 2009 with operations in almost every parish of Louisiana.
• More than 21,000 producers are involved in production of the commodities used in research at the Macon Ridge Research Station.

Data from the Louisiana Ag Summary Website, LSUAgCenter.com/agsummary

Future Plans
Agriculture production is a mainstay of the Louisiana economy, and personnel at the Macon Ridge Research Station are dedicated to providing research information important to continuing profitability in agriculture production. Research efforts will continue to focus on evaluating new technologies available in agriculture to determine the potential benefits when applied in production fields. New crop varieties and pest-control technologies will be a part of these evaluations. Research with crop rotations, tillage, fertilization and management effects on disease, insect and weeds will be conducted. Weed science efforts will continue to focus on resolving known and anticipated weed problems in northeast Louisiana. Newer clover and perennial cool-season grass varieties that have shown improved adaptation to soil and climatic conditions in this area will also be a focus of continuing research. Research has been initiated and will continue with crops potentially useful in the emerging biofuels industry. All research efforts will focus on providing information to sustain long-term agriculture production in an environmentally sound manner.