AgFax Rice - Louisiana

OVERVIEW

In Texas, a small number of fields could go to flood this week. 

Drier conditions in the Midsouth this week gave growers at least a brief opening to work ground and/or plant rice. As we closed this report Wednesday night, another round of storms was moving into the region from the west.

How much rice will finally be planted is anyone's guess. While farmers can plant huge amounts of acreage these days, plenty of ground remains under water from river and backwater flooding.

LOUISIANA CROP REPORTS

Dustin Harrell, Louisiana Rice Extension Specialist, LSU Rice Research Station, Crowley

"Any further progress on planting rice has been limited since we planted a big portion of the crop in a 2-week window after March 13. Much of that early rice is around the 2-leaf stage now (4/23).

"We are seeing some uneven stands where emergence varied across fields. In places, emergence has been considerably later. A number of things might explain this. Wet and cold weather could affect germination where maybe soils weren't quite warm enough or seeds were deeper in spots.

"We're coming into that time when the first herbicide will go out after the initial residual material. Because the ground is still really wet, a lot of these treatments will have to go out by air, and that will really pressure aerial applications. The forecast calls for a 100% chance of rain on Thursday. 

"All that said, we don't have any significant complaints in southwest Louisiana. In the Midsouth – including north Louisiana – rains have drastically delayed planting and crop development. Down here, we're still trying to plant that last 10% of the acres. By comparison, that's not a bad situation. 

"I did hear my first report today (4/23) about potential herbicide drift damage. I also get a call about leaf miners. I've never heard of leaf miners coming in so early. It's just in one location north of Eunice."