AgFax Rice - Louisiana

By AgFax Media LLC, AgFax.com

OVERVIEW

More rice is heading in the coastal belt of Texas and southwest Louisiana. Fungicides are going out on a wider basis in that part of our coverage area.

Leaf blast has turned up in Arkansas and Texas.

Potassium/potash deficiency has become apparent in places. It's a nutrient deficiency that can be corrected this late in the season. See comments by Dustin Harrell.

LOUISIANA CROP REPORTS

Keith Collins, Extension Agent, Richland, Ouachita and Franklin Parishes, Rayville, Louisiana:

"Our first rice went to flood at least 2 weeks ago (from 6/17), but that was a fairly small part of the crop. Those were some of the few fields where it was dry enough to plant early. But the majority of our paddy rice went in later and isn't ready for the flood yet. 

 "A tremendous amount of our expected rice crop shifted to prevented planting. I doubt if anyone has a total yet but it was easily thousands of acres that were taken out in this part of the state. May 25 was the cutoff date for prevented planting and a good deal of ground in my area still had 2 to 3 feet of water on it. Down in Catahoula Parish, I'm told that backwater covered even more acres that were supposed to go into rice or cotton."

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

"Most of our rice in southwest Louisiana is beginning to head. Disease control is the focus now and we're in the middle of applying fungicides at a fast and furious pace. I've seen some blast and a little sheath blight but these were isolated instances, nothing widespread. 

"A couple of people have called about potassium deficiency, which they noticed as rice began heading, and it's showing up in lighter ground. Potassium is one of the few nutrients that you can apply this late and make a difference in yields. If symptoms show up, apply 20 to 30 units of potassium. 

"A quick reminder: our annual rice field day is next Wednesday, June 26, at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station (1373 Caffey Road, Rayne). Field tours start at 7:15 a.m. We'll also have a poster session and indoor presentations. Topics include weed control, variety and hybrid development, disease and insect management, sustainable production and nutrient management. Lunch will be served."