For nearly three decades, the Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program has enlisted production experts to teach farmers and extension agents the finer points of managing all aspects of growing a rice crop.

Led by Ronnie Levy, the LSU AgCenter state rice specialist, the program features regular farm visits and phone calls to advise producers on research-based best practices.

“The thing we teach them is timing — if you’re late putting on your fertilizer, if you’re late putting out insecticide. We try to be proactive,” Levy said. “We try to do those things so they get optimized use of all the aspects of crop production. If you do things on time and use the right materials, then your potential is just a little bit better.”

This year, producers from seven rice-producing parishes participated in the program, which is funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board.

While the program is focused on producers, extension agents also participate and gain knowledge. Agents who assist can gain knowledge of insects, diseases and weeds that they can use to advise growers of corn, soybeans and other crops.

“We try to make it where it’s a good learning experience for not only the producer, but also for the extension agent because we have a lot of new extension agents that don’t have a lot of experience in rice production,” Levy said.

For Michael Lavergne, who became a full-time agriculture and natural resources agent based in Beauregard Parish in January of 2025, visiting a local rice producer during the verification program field visits was another opportunity to build relationships and learn about the latest research.

“I think the rice verification program is important, especially for newer or younger rice farmers to just work with the specialists and the agents,” said Lavergne, who began his AgCenter career as a 4-H agent in 1990. “A lot of the agents now, instead of us working one specific parish, we may be spread out. Getting to know those farmers and having a one-on-one relationship, a face-to-face relationship, with those producers is very important for them to be able to reach out to us when they have issues.”

Levy also connects producers with helpful experts including agronomists, industry representatives and weed, disease and insect specialists.

Most participants are newer rice growers looking for tips from experts. Some may be the younger generation of farmers who grew up ticking off chores and helping out on the farm but lack the depth of knowledge their parents have developed.

“We teach them basic farming that they may never have known other than sitting in the tractor and plowing this field,” Levy said.

The verification program also ensures that the AgCenter research can be translated into real-world applications.

“We’re trying to bring the research that is being done on the Rice Research Station to make sure it is applicable when it is brought to the producers’ fields,” Levy said.

For now, the Louisiana Rice Research Verification Program focuses on traditional south Louisiana rice-growing parishes. Levy said that more research is needed on newer row-rice production systems, in which producers grow rice in a manner similar to row crops. This method does not require them to hold a flood on fields hemmed in by a levee.

“We typically don’t do that as a verification program because we don’t have enough data over the years so that we can feel comfortable making all those recommendations based on research,” Levy said. “We can make recommendations based on what we see, but fertility, insect, disease and weed control can be different.”

To join the verification program, producers can contact their local AgCenter Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension agent. In most cases, there is a one- to two-year wait to join the program.