Grain Researchers Important To Industry's Future

by Don Molino

According to Raymond Schexnayder, chairman of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board, agriculture researchers are in high demand and the board wants to try and make sure the LSU AgCenter doesn't lose any.

"There is a lot of collaborative work between universities now that's a push at the national level to fund projects instead of just at one university in one single area..cooperate between states," says Schexnayder.

"We have a mid-south soybean board we work with to do regional projects and that kind of work," according to the chairman. "The guys who are willing to jump in to do that, well, that's a big plus."

Because different conditions are very likely to be spread across various locations in other states, "but sometimes they're having the same disease issues, some of the same weather issues or the same stresses, even though they may be in a different area, some of those things affect us (Louisiana grain farmers)," says Schexnayder.

He points out, for instance, the red banded stinkbug came into Louisiana from Texas and now that insect pest is heading toward the east coast, causing concern for grain farmers in that part of the US.

"These guys may not have them yet, but they'd like to know how to get rid of them when they do show up," concluded Schexnayder.

(This report is a service of the Louisiana Soybean and Grain Research and Promotion Board)