Home > Crops & Livestock > Crops > Rice > News > Loss estimates for rice crop at 7.6 percent, soybean crop at 15 percent [Image: Jeffrey Sylvester] (Distributed 09/09/08) WHITEVILLE – Farmer Jeffrey Sylvester gazed over a field that looked more suited for water-skiing than growing rice. “There’s a rice crop under that water,” he said. “That’s all standing rice.” Hurricane Gustav causes major problems for Louisiana rice farmers [Image: stripped rice] (Distributed 09/05/08) Rice is among the many Louisiana agricultural commodities hurt by Hurricane Gustav, although the majority of the crop had been harvested in the southwest Louisiana rice belt before the storm came through. Rice Farmers Approve 5-year Renewals Of Check-off Program To Fund Research, Promotion Louisiana rice producers have approved five-year renewals of check-off fees on their crops to fund research and promotion. Resistance Offers Best Solution For Rice Diseases Developing disease-resistant varieties is the best approach to help farmers fight diseases that afflict rice, said Don Groth, LSU AgCenter plant pathologist at the Rice Research Station in Crowley.  more articles... Salt Water Intrusion Site Data Results, Post Rita [Image: Soil Sample Data Results] The data provided is from the sites that were sampled in the Salt Water Intrusion Maps. Each site is numbered the same as it is on the maps that are provided. Salt Water Intrusion Maps, Post Rita [Image: South Carlyss Map] The following maps consist of sites that were sampled, analyzed and then ranked, post Hurricane Rita. Farmers Urged Not To Plow Salt-contaminated Rice Fields Rice farmers whose fields have high salt levels from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge should avoid plowing their fields, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter. Rice Growers Face Problems Following Storms The salt water that washed over coastal areas in Southwestern Louisiana during Hurricane Rita could greatly affect next year’s rice crop. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck says the high salinity levels in rice fields could lead to decreased yields. (Radio News 12/12/05)