Rice and soybean farmers can learn about some of the latest research and receive updates during the Northeast Louisiana Rice and Soybean Field Day July 25.

Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers Association, the field day will be held at the Woodsland Plantation on Louisiana Highway 15 in Richland Parish. It will begin with tours at 9 a.m. and will conclude about noon with a sponsored lunch.

"The field day will include tours of current rice research being conducted in our area by faculty from the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station at Crowley, as well as soybean updates and variety plots," said LSU AgCenter county agent Keith Collins of Richland Parish.

Rice research slated to be discussed includes commercial variety trials, advanced experimental trials that will showcase possible new variety releases, advanced experimental Clearfield lines and studies of nitrogen rates with current varieties. Speakers include Dr. Steve Linscombe, an LSU AgCenter regional director and rice breeder; Dr. Johnny Saichuk, the LSU AgCenter’s rice specialist; and others from the Rice Research Station.

In addition, approximately 30 Group IV soybean varieties will be discussed by company representatives, and trial plots will be available for viewing. Updates on the soybean crop and Asian soybean rust also will be provided by LSU AgCenter soybean specialist Dr. David Lanclos and LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Dr. Boyd Padgett.

Collins says all interested producers, agribusiness representatives and others from the industry are invited to attend.

For more details on the field day or additional directions on reaching Woodsland Plantation, contact Collins at (318) 728-3216 or kcollins@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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Contact: Keith Collins at (318) 728-3216 or kcollins@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Writer: Tom Merrill at (225) 578-2263 or tmerrill@agcenter.lsu.edu