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1911
Present Day
The H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station is in Acadia Parish in middle south Louisiana about 2 miles east of Crowley. It is one of 17 research stations operated by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center through its research arm, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.
The H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, the first rice experimental station in the United States, was established in 1909 by Louisiana State University. The first resident director (then called superintendent), Friend B. Quereau (1909 to 1916), was the driving force behind the station's planning, construction, equipping and staffing. Research continued under the guidance of the following directors: F. Mitchell Jenkins (1917-1946), Rufus H. Walker (1947-1958), Austin T. Harrell (1958 to 1962), H. Rouse Caffey (1962-1970), Macon D. Faulkner (1970-1984), Joe A. Musick (1985-2003), and Steven D. Linscombe (2003-2017). Present research is directed by Donald Groth (2017- ).
Research programs were initiated to develop improved varieties and to identify cultural practices required to enhance production and maintain a viable industry. For more than 108 years, the main thrust of research efforts continues to be varietal improvement and the development of agronomic management practices that increase production and maintain profitability.
Research programs include breeding, biotechnology, variety testing, production and distribution of foundation seed, fertilization, soil and water management, cultural practices, weed control, insect control, disease investigations, rice drying, rice processing, and bird control in rice studies. Research is also conducted in crops grown in rotation with rice. The aquaculture emphasis is on multiple cropping of crawfish with agronomic crops.
Although most of the research work is performed by the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station staff. Several experiment station staff from Baton Rouge conduct research at this station. The research activities include both fundamental and applied research, although the latter dominates because of the mission of the station. The programs will continue to make an important contribution to the economic development of Louisiana.
Please visit the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station Profile to learn more about rice varieties, significance of rice research, industry facts, future plans, and other useful information.
