The responsibilities of the Evangeline Parish Rice Advisory Leadership Council are to represent their peers, identify needs and issues, identify opportunities for collaboration, be active in sharing their skills and knowledge to help the parish and understand the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service as a community resource.
Next Meeting Date:
October 2010
Evangeline Rice and Soybean Advisory Leadership Council Members
|
Name |
Affiliation |
| Lauran Attales |
Producer |
| Cody Bieber |
Producer |
| Wendell Brunet |
Producer |
| Scotty Fontenot |
Producer |
| Ted Buller |
Producer |
| Richard B. Fontenot |
Producer |
| Keith Fontenot |
County Agent |
| Jody Fontenot |
Producer |
| Dr. Don Groth |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Dr. Brookes Blanche |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Dr. Mike Salassi |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Kenneth LaHaye |
Producer |
| Bruce Schultz |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Neil Lejeune |
Producer |
| Dr. Steve Linscombe |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Steve Mayeaux |
Producer |
| David Morein |
Producer |
| Bryan Bieber |
Producer |
| Dr. John Saichuk |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| David Fontenot |
Ag Business |
| Jeffery Sylvester |
Producer |
| Dr. Dustin Harrell |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Randy Jemison |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Jason Lafleur |
Producer |
| Dr. Ron Levy |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Dr. Eric Webster |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Dr. Natalie Hummel |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Rob Ferguson |
Subject Matter Specialist |
| Vince Deshotel |
County Agent |
Evangeline Rice & Soybean Advisory Committee Minutes
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 – 8:45 a.m.
LSU AgCenter Office, Ville Platte
Meeting was called to order at approximately 9:00 by Jeffery Sylvester, President, EPRGA. In attendance were: Producers: Jeffery Sylvester, Scotty Fontenot, Richard Fontenot, Neil Lejeune, Dave Morein, Jason Lafleur, Lauran Attales, Bryan Bieber, Steve Mayeaux, LSU AgCenter Personnel: Dr. Steve Linscombe, Dr. Johnny Saichuk, Dr. Ron Levy, Dr. Mike Salassi, Dr. Don Groth, Bruce Shultz, Dr. Natalie Hummel, Dr. Dustin Harrell, Rob Ferguson, Vince Deshotel, & Keith Fontenot.
Committee members introduced themselves and gave a short description of their association with rice and/or soybeans.
Purpose and expectations of the committee were explained, as well as thanking committee members for attending by County Agent Fontenot.
Discussion started on rice yield and milling figures for this year, 2009. There was much discussion with wide ranges of yields across the parish. However, general consensus was a yield of 41 dry barrels or 66.42 cwt for a parish wide yield average. This would put yields way above the 39 bbl., 63.18 cwt. yield of 2008. Milling was erratic with most reporting good, but not excellent milling yields. This was contrary to milling from most of the variety tests this year which were considered normal in milling at very good to excellent.
Acreage figures were then discussed with Evangeline actually increasing very little in acreage by about 98 acres. This was very little change from last year’s figure of 44,326, with 2009 at 44,424.
Predation problems were discussed beginning with blackbirds with no early season problems of significance reported. Late season problems are seen, especially in the Whiteville area, where there are nearby cane fields for roosting sites. Drs. Linscombe & Saichuk related to some work being done with a seed treatment as a bird repellent, not a toxicant, for early season rice. However, the problems being experienced with blackbirds are on mature rice and not seedling rice. Poul deaux or Coots are a problem in the Whiteville area with re-planting being done to compensate for their eating and trampling young rice into the mud.
Also discussed were pig damage, beaver damage, and increasing run-in’s with alligators in several fields in different areas of the parish. The parish still has a bounty on beaver and has a trapper doing work in the parish. Keith Fontenot asked about the LDAF nuisance animal program. He thought funding was being eliminated, however, many related to incidents this year in St. Landry and Evangeline parish where trapping by LDAF personnel was taking place.
From this Dr. Don Groth gave a rundown on disease pressure in the crop of this past year. Early season rice was fairly clean with light disease pressure, while late season rice had plenty of different types of disease. Discussed were crown rot, false smut, stem rot, as well as cercospora, blast, and sheath blight. Light cercospora problems were reported as many remembered 2007 and the terrific hit cercospora gave many fields. There was some Blast problems this year, mainly in areas where water was drained for rice water weevil control in a crawfish situation. Dr. Groth did relate that many fields this year were sprayed to prevent cercospora, especially anyone who was hit so severely by this disease in 2007. Late planting dates and high nitrogen application rates caused the worst cases of false smut.
Timing of fungicide applications was brought up by Keith, with some producers using an early boot, some a “2-4 inch panicle”, or early heading in some cases. Dr. Goth related to earlier applications for cercospora and sheath blight while blast treatments are usually early heading to carry through the heading process. Rates of fungicide application were also discussed with higher rates giving longer protection periods, which are much more favorable in a year such as we had.
Insects and control programs were next discussed by Dr. Natalie Hummel. She passed out the results of the Dermacor seed treatment tests conducted in Evangeline parish on the LaHaye farm and discussed the results of these as well as other locations of the same type tests in the state. These included the use of Karate pre-flood, Karate followed by Mustang on fertilizer, Trebon applied post flood, Mustang on fertilizer post flood, and Dermacor seed treatment. Tests across the state gave a wide variety of responses. In most cases the Mustang on fertilizer gave low rice water weevil control rates. The pre flood application of Karate, as well as the Karate followed by Mustang, also gave satisfactory results, as did the Dermacor. This was the first year of these tests which will be repeated so no definite conclusions can be drawn from these results at this time.
Dr. Hummel also discussed the preliminary work being done with the colaspis beetles (different subspecies) in the parish on the Morein farm. They are trying to determine if the population of adult colaspis in soybeans this year will affect the rice crop next year with colaspis larvae damage to the rice. This is an ongoing study. Also mentioned was the colaspis larvae found by Dr. Saichuk and Keith Fontenot at the Ted Buller field which was in a fallow condition the year before and not in soybeans. When questioned on potential control products for colaspis, Cruiser was mentioned as being used in another state which has severe problems with this insect. However, Dr. Hummel was quick to note that she would not treat for colaspis at this time due to the fact we don’t know the economic impact this insect is having on our rice crop, especially when compared to rice water weevil. We know we will have rice water weevil problems so we need to pay attention to this problem now.
Dr. Linscombe next gave a variety update, also discussing the off-station variety test sites such as at the Kody & Larry Bieber farm near Mamou. The Bieber site this year was planted very late due to continued rain delaying planting. Also immediately following planting the plots received a 4 inch rain. In spite of this ,although being late, the variety tests yielded fairly well and also had good to very good milling qualities. He also mentioned that this year’s variety tests included some of the hybrid varieties including 723, 729, and 745, as well as the commercial lines usually tested.
In the variety update Dr. Linscombe discussed the new Clearfield lines coming up for release: the new CL long grain CL 111, and the new CL medium grain CL 261. The CL 111 will be the earliest Clearfield line being about a week to 10 days earlier than 151. It should be seed available for about 50,000 acres this year. The CL 261 medium grain is similar to Neptune, with seed available for about 10,000 acres.
Also discussed was Dr. Sha’s release, Jazzman, and the fact that an entrepreneurial group out of New Orleans may be in the process of booking somewhere between 15-20,000 acres for this year’s growing season for special sales to Thailand. The Thai government has expressed an interest in this rice for it’s excellent qualities of cooking, flavor, etc. which they desire. The group of entrepreneurs, calling themselves “Jazzmen”, has a website up and has gone to the lengths of purchasing the Louis Armstrong copy write or right of use to publicize this Jazzman rice.
Dr. Linscombe also discussed the Rice Research Stations new project with Hybrid rice research, mentioning a visiting researcher from China is working on this project, and also mentioning the Chinese research facility as the source of the male sterile lines being used for the hybrid research. Any possible results from this project will probably be 4-5 years down the line.
Lauran Attales raised a question about the use of gibberilic acid on 1-2 inch panicle rice to increase head length. Dr. Linscombe related that head length and size are determined much earlier in the rice plants stages of growth. He also mentioned Lauran may have seen an article which used gibberilic acid on sterile male lines in hybrid work, getting the plant to stay more erect at certain growth stages.
Question on lodging in CL151 were brought up by Jefferey Sylvester, “Were the breeders aware of the potential for lodging in this variety?”, and “How severe could it be?” Dr. Linscombe answered that breeders were aware, however, in plots this tendency was not as severe. Also, in work done in Arkansas and Missouri, lower seeding rates seemed to allow plants to develop more overall biomass both in stalk and head development to support the plant better. He also pointed out that most work done with CL 151 was at lower Nitrogen rates which will affect lodging potential. Neal Lejeune interjected that not all 151 fell. He had cases where the 151 stood and Hybrid lines fell. Dr. Linscombe again commented on Nitrogen rates and their effect on lodging potential.
Jeffery also noted 151 tended to stay green, leaves and stalk green with mature heads, making it more difficult to harvest. Lauran and Jason Lafleur also discussed combine settings and problems they have experienced with the greener rice. Dr. Saichuk asked about fungicide going out, and had it been put out. Dr. Linscombe related that a drop of 20 to 30 #’s in Nitrogen rates would probably help this situation. Richard Fontenot experienced the same situation that Drs. Saichuk, Groth and Keith Fontenot had checked in fields earlier this year. The difference being although green these fields had severe disease problems and lowered yields.
Jefferey Sylvester also noted that Catahoula tended to harder to thresh, with grains still going out the back of the machine, after working with several different machine settings. Dr. Saichuk mentioned CL151 and Catahoula in different verification fields this year that didn’t go down and lodge, and also were not hard to thresh. There is a big difference in response of Catahoula to fertilizer, with problems of lodging and staying green coming with Nitrogen rates being too high in most cases.
Dave Morein asked a question about Arkansas rice producers compared to Louisiana rice producers, “Why was there such a difference in yield?”. Drs. Linscombe and Saichuk replied on variety differences between Arkansas and Louisiana and environmental differences effecting yield. Most varieties being used in Arkansas cannot handle the environmental stresses of disease, heat, and humidity of Louisiana.
The next topic was discussion by Keith Fontenot asking about the Parish Rice Field Tour and Clinic, “Was this activity worthy of keeping and continuing?”. It has been ongoing for about 6 years and growers stated they would like for it to continue. It is a timely mid-season reminder of several important management situations. Suggestion was a starting time of 9:00 a.m. The date this year was May 19. The group felt that the same approximate week would be appropriate timing.
Dr. Saichuk then discussed the 2009 LRRVP and how it was progressing. As of now only one field was not yet harvested. Madison Parish is not cut due to rain delays. Dr. Saichuk then handed out and discussed state acreage and varietal figures. The Clearfield Stewardship Program was brought up and he felt more emphasis would be placed on this, with some producers paying consequences for ignoring BMP’s dealing with the program. The other LRRVP comments centered around the one field that did not yield well or average, stating it was due to simply not following recommended management practices, especially in the application of Nitrogen fertilizer. There was much more loss of Nitrogen than they even estimated which severely affected yield.
Dr. Saichuk also discussed being approached by a group wanting to shoot a TV commercial sometime in November. He asked if anyone would have a good representative field of 2nd crop or possibly a crawfish field planted into rice that may head out. He will be in contact later.
Three fields will be in the verification program next year due to less funds for the program and also using the program to train newer rice agents. The program will be conducted in St. Landry, Avoyelles, and Jeff Davis parishes.
Dr. Salassi then discussed and reviewed the current market situation, also covering the ACRE Program which was not a very beneficial program for most producers. Dr. Salassi touched on the rental agreement surveys done earlier this year and the spread sheet he had come up with to address some of the very different rental situations being seen. After much discussion from several members of the group Dr. Salassi will try to work up some examples of the more common rental/lease agreements to assist producers in looking at which type program is better for their individual situation. The potential may exist later for special meetings between landlords and Dr. Salassi to assist growers in getting landlords to understand different agreements. Many of these agreements depending on cash rent, % share or parts of both. They may have some consequences with FSA regulations dealing with payments. These may need to also be looked into.
The last item discussed on the Rice part of the program dealt with Truck DOT Inspection. Fontenot asked Neal Lejeune to elaborate on the procedure he had just been through to certify trucks traveling out of state, to be legal and certified under this program. Discussion ensued on the ramifications of truck staying in state, hauling for profit, hauling someone else’s share, etc. After much discussion we may contact Shannon Lavergne with Troop I about an educational program and see if this is something we may need to inform producers of. From Neil’s’ conversation with the trooper, this certification may be adopted by the state for hauling of grain, etc. within the state. If this should come to pass then it would need to be brought forward and our producers notified.
Soybeans
Everyone then changed their thinking to the soybean side of things, getting away from rice. Fontenot went over a general soybean situation in the parish discussing the very small change in acreage as well as some of the crop trends for this year. Producers expressed their results of yields produced thus far on their farms with their being much fluctuation of yields, ranging from a 25 to a mid 40+ bu yield. Dr. Ron Levy stated according to NASS figures statewide average yields now appear to be in the 37 bu. average range with over 1 million acres of beans planted in the state this year. It was felt by the group that a 30 bu average would probably reflect overall parish yield. Levy commented that price increases in soybeans have been directly related to over 60 % of the crop being exported to China at this time.
Discussion ensued on the general management of soybeans with problems being associated with rice and soybean rotations, especially if beans are put on raised bed or rows. After much general discussion, it was felt by the group that soybeans are still being used by many rice farmers as a means of keeping rice ground clean, in preparation for the coming rice crop. Most bean producers in our area are primarily rice producers first.
Keith Fontenot gave a breakdown of soybean educational activities in the parish citing: The LSRVP is being conducted on the Neil Lejeune farm in Duralde, with a one page report being reviewed by everyone in their packet of information. Also noted was the soybean variety testing program being conducted at the Mike Dischler farm in Centerville. This year the core-block soybean variety study was conducted there with 17 varieties being tested. The lowest yielding variety at 37 bu /acre and the highest at 55 bu/acre. A special handout in the packet highlighted the test parameters and results. Richard Fontenot conducted a special Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) sentinel plot along Highway 13 near Mamou, where weekly samples of soybean leaves were removed and analyzed at the plant pathology lab with the LSU Agcenter. ASR samples were also taken from time to time at the Lejeune and Dischler field during the growing season. ASR was detected at the Dischler farm, but not until the beans were in the R6 stage of development, a point at which the disease will not harm the soybean seed but will help to defoliate the plants for harvest.
Dr. Levy discussed the disease situation, citing the widespread evidence of Cercospora and the lack of an effective fungicide to assist in managing this disease. He also stated that this year, again, ASR was found in the state about a week earlier than last year. This is a trend for the past three years, where it is found in soybeans earlier every year.
After other incidental discussion on the soybeans and plans for next year’s core block and verification programs this discussion ended.
Incidental discussion under the “Other Items” category included: Richard Fontenot brought up a topic discussed through an earlier Farm Bureau meeting, an Agrimedic Training Program. There is a 1) First Responder training, and a 2) Beginner course. Richard has contact information on this program and we will investigate further for training classes for our parish producers. All growers at the meeting felt this was a very good idea and agreed it needed to be pursued, possibly with ag dealer sponsorships locally and having maybe 2 or 3 sessions in the parish for training.
Topics for the 2010 Rice & Soybean School in January included:
Dr. Linscombe - Rice Variety update
Dr. Saichuk - Management
Dr. Salassi - Rice Market update, Landlord Rental Agreements, Grain Drying Economics
Dr. Harrell - Fertilization; other agronomic aspects
Dr. Hummel - Insects
Dr. Webster - Pre-Plant Burndown; CL Stewardship
Dr. Levy - Soybean Variety & Management update
Dr. Guidry -Soybean Market update
Keith Fontenot –Private Applicator Recertification
After was incidental discussion on the Evangeline Parish Rice Grower Association Annual Meeting and Ladies Night. The group is trying to hold the annual meeting on November 3 at the Jungle Restaurant. After other incidental discussion the meeting was adjourned at 12:20.
All attendees enjoyed a meal of meatball stew, French bread, cole slaw and a cold drink. Prior to the meal, attendees enjoyed coffee, fruit juice, and donuts.
Minutes from Meetings
Minutes from the committee meetings will be posted online after each meeting.