Ag Fax: MidSouth Rice

By Owen Taylor

AgFax

The coastal crop remains on track for an early harvest. A little draining could begin soon in isolated fields if it hasn't already started.

Wetter weather has settled over much of our coverage area since our last issue.

More Midsouth rice has gone to flood, but plenty of late-planted rice is out there.

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

"Paddy rice and row rice both look good, and we've had favorable weather. All but a small percentage of the paddy rice is at a flood now, and the row rice is at an equivalent stage.

"I haven't heard of any major issues, except the usual concerns. In continuous rice fields, grass is a problem, but that's expected. We still have a long way to go, but at this point I think we have a good-looking rice crop.

"Our soybeans vary greatly in age. Growers planted the earliest beans in the first week of April, and we were still planting some last week. Location and rainfall amounts had a lot to do with the difference in planting dates.

"Our latest corn is pollinating with earlier corn at dent.

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

"Rice is moving along nicely. Things have shifted into a wetter weather pattern, and we're seeing our first signs of disease, although disease is very minimal so far. Right now, people are reporting blast. But if this wet weather continues, sheath blight will increase, as well.

"So far, though, disease pressure is lower than normal. The crop looks great, and we just hope it holds up well to harvest.

"We're still a couple of weeks away from draining any of the rice in our research program. but I suspect that draining might start this week in a few commercial fields. Farmers would at least be considering it, especially with this wet weather."