One of the features of southwest Louisiana that first attracted pioneers to attempt rice production in the region was the abundance of surface water available from the bayous and rivers that flow south to the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. long-grain rice has been considered the quality standard of the world. In recent years, however, a number of both domestic as well as international customers have complained about the quality. The causes of the quality issues in U.S. long-grain rice are complex and not due to one specific factor.

As we move into fall in Louisiana, the rice harvest is essentially complete. Here at the Rice Research Station, we are wrapping up our field research as well. Even as we complete our field research, our research activities do not slow down. The fall and winter months are crucial in our preparation for field research anew next season.

Numerous diseases can infect rice plants. While some are typically considered major, others are normally of only minor consequence. Sheath blight is one of the diseases classified in the major category.

The 2011 Rice Research Station Field Day was held on Thursday, June 30, at the research facility near Crowley. Each year the field day includes a tour of various research sites around the station where scientists display their research efforts and discuss results that will be of benefit to rice producers and others that work in rice production agriculture.

How things have changed, and most of these changes have occurred in the past 20 years. Early on, people began to hear the word personal computer more frequently. We had no idea the possibilities this device would someday provide.

While all agronomic crops require meticulous management, rice is considerably more complex. Much of this complexity is due to the fact that rice is grown under flooded conditions for most of the growing season.

Plant breeders face a tremendous challenge in breeding varieties that will be successful for production.

The industry uses the names to designate varieties throughout the time they are produced and often well beyond their commercial production. The variety name is important because multiple facets of the seed industry are based on the name.

The LSU AgCenter has recently approved the release of three new varieties for seed and commercial production in 2011. The three include a new jasmine type, a Clearfield long grain and a non-Clearfield medium grain.