Abundant rainfall, which forced a late start for the Mid-South rice crop, is now delaying flooding of fields. And at the same time, weed control is becoming more difficult in the face of continuing rains and herbicide shortages. And, diseases are beginning to make an appearance.

Fertilization, flooding delayed in Arkansas

According to DD50 enrollment, 75 percent of the Arkansas rice crop should have been fertilized and flooded by the end of last week, says Jarrod Hardke, Arkansas Extension rice agronomist. “Unfortunately, only about 30 percent actually is… and we’re on the fast train toward internode elongation.” With forecasts of rain for the next week to 10 days, Hardke offers fertilization options on a case-by-case basis. Determine which are best for your fields at How to manage preflood nitrogen with wet weather.

Herbicide shortages

Shortages of some herbicides have complicated weed control in some Arkansas rice fields. Bob Scott, Arkansas Extension weed specialist, discusses the problems the shortages are causing and the situation of herbicide injury to rice plants in Herbicide shortages making weed control difficult.

Sheath blight in Louisiana

The first cases of sheath blight have been reported in Louisiana rice fields. Don Groth of the LSU AgCenter’s Rice Research Station discusses what you should look for and how to reduce the severity of the disease in the latest Rice Disease Newsletter.

Late start in Mississippi

Mississippi’s rice crop is about two weeks behind schedule. Late planting and heavy rains are making management difficult, says Bobby Golden, MSU agronomist in Stoneville, Miss. In early June, growers were waiting for fields to dry so they could apply herbicides and fertilizer. This has delayed flooding of fields. “The challenge over the next two weeks is getting the preflood fertilizer out in a timely fashion,” he says. Find out more about what’s happening in Mississippi rice fields at Late start, rains have delayed flooding.

Rice Field Days

The LSU AgCenter has two rice fields days in the coming weeks:

June 12: Acadia Parish and Rice Research Station South Farm Field Day. 8 a.m. LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station South Farm, Hwy. 13 South, Crowley, La. For more information contact Barrett A. Courville at [email protected].

June 25: LSU AgCenter Rice Field Day. LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, 1373 Caffey Road, Rayne, La. 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. – field tours. Program begins at 10:45 a.m. and concludes with lunch. For more information, contact Steve Linscombe at (337) 788-7531 or [email protected].

New rice mill

Southwind Milling Co. announced last week that it would build a rice mill at the Port of Pine Bluff, Ark. It is expected to being operating by February 2015. Read more at New rice mill planned at Pine Bluff.

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