LSU Rice Specialist Dr. Dustin Harrell Receives Award

When Dustin Harrell speaks,  rice farmers listen

BATON ROUGE, LA -- Dr. Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter rice specialist, received the Rice Researcher of the Year award last week at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice Conference here.  Harrell's agronomy research focuses on fertility, and he also has identified the significance of zinc deficiency, shown that seeding rates for drill-seeded rice can be reduced, and demonstrated how nitrogen use efficiency can be improved.

When receiving the award Harrell credited his fellow researchers for their contributions and thanked the Louisiana rice farmers for supplying vital check-off funding saying, "Without the check-off funds, we wouldn't be able to do the things we do."

Harrell was selected as a member of the 2015 Rice Leadership Development Program in December at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. 

Contact:  Chuck Wilson (870) 673-7541

Rice Featured at North Louisiana Ag Expo

Serving up rice samples at LARC booth

WEST MONROE, LA -- An estimated 10,000 people attended the 33^nd annual North Louisiana AgExpo on January 16-17 where they learned about the state's ag industry, especially rice.  For correctly answering questions about rice, visitors to the Louisiana Rice Council (LARC) booth received sample bags of Louisiana-grown rice, provided by the Louisiana Rice Growers Association.

Attendees also enjoyed a cup of red beans and rice, courtesy of the Northeast Louisiana Rice Growers Association.  Recipe brochures, nutrition information, and rice-facts sheets from the USA Rice Federation were distributed. 

LARC members, including President Eric Unkel, Vice President Charles Precht, Jr., and Jimmy Hoppe manned the booth with assistance from USA Rice field staff, Randy and Mary Jemison.

The Expo was established by the North Louisiana Agribusiness Council to educate citizens about the regional and state impact of agriculture.

Contact:  Randy Jemison (337) 738-7009

Japan Announces Results of 10th Ordinary Import Tender in FY 2014

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