New AgCenter Hire Tackles Three Roles

LSU AgCenter researcher Christine Coker, who joined the AgCenter in July as the state vegetable specialist, will also serve as general horticulture extension agent for southeast Louisiana and research coordinator at the AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

Originally from Middle Tennessee, Coker attended graduate school at Auburn University before making her way southeast to take a position at the Coastal Research and Extension Center at Mississippi State University, where she worked for 24 years in urban horticulture and commercial vegetable production.

■ V. Todd Miller

New Variety, New Threat Take Center Stage at Record-Breaking Sugarcane Field Day

The announcement of a new variety and the arrival of a potentially troublesome weed highlighted the LSU AgCenter’s annual Sugar Research Station field day.

AgCenter breeder Michael Pontif announced a new U.S. Department of Agriculture variety release, HoCP 18-803. After 12 years of testing and more than 200 samples brought to the lab, 803 was determined to exhibit good tonnage, stalk size and sugar — doing statistically better than L 01-299, the leading variety in the state for the past several years.

The positive news about 803 was tempered by weed scientist Matt Foster revealing that a new invasive weed was discovered in St. John the Baptist Parish late last year. Luffa quinquefida — part of the cucurbit family — is native to Central America and could potentially cause nightmares for producers come harvest time.

For the second year in a row, the field day broke attendance records, with Sugar Research Station coordinator Al Orgeron estimating that more than 300 attendees took part in the event.

■ V. Todd Miller

Interim AgCenter Vice President and Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station Director Named

The LSU AgCenter has appointed Michael Salassi interim vice president for agriculture and dean of the LSU College of Agriculture following the selection of Matt Lee as interim LSU system president.

Salassi, who served as director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, brings more than three decades of experience with the AgCenter to his new leadership role.

As Salassi steps into this position, Glen Gentry, the current Southeast Region director, will serve as interim director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. Together, they will continue to support the AgCenter’s statewide mission of research, extension and teaching. These AgCenter appointments were effective June 1.

■ V. Todd Miller

Christine Coker. Photo by Olivia McClure

A new USDA variety release, HoCP 18-803, was announced at the LSU AgCenter sugarcane field day held July 16. Breeding specialist Michael Pontif said it exhibits good tonnage, stalk size and sugar. Photo by Olivia McClure