Research station field day to focus on rice sustainability

Aug. 10, 2009
Contact Information:

Howell Medders, Division of Agriculture Communications
hmedders@uark.edu, 479-575-5647

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COLT, Ark. – Jennifer James, a Jackson County rice producer and chairman of the new USA Rice Federation Sustainability Task Force, will speak at a field day Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Pine Tree Research Station.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research station is eight miles west of Colt on Hwy. 306.

Station Director Roger Eason said a two-hour tour of research plots, starting at 9 a.m., will be followed by James’ presentation and a sponsored lunch in the station’s large meeting facility.

“The U.S. rice industry has a long history of protecting its natural resources and ecosystems,” federation Chairman Jamie Warshaw said. “With the creation of the Sustainability Task Force, the industry now has the means to advance these principles and practices, and to communicate the industry’s commitment to sustainably produced rice to policy-makers, consumers and customers.”

In addition to James, task force members from rice-producing states include Ray Vester of Stuttgart, Bill Reed of Riceland Foods, Keith Glover of Producers Rice Mill and Glenn Nevins of Anheuser-Busch. An advisory group of rice researchers includes Terry Siebenmorgen in Arkansas and others from rice-producing states.

Research tour topics and Division of Agriculture scientists at each stop will include:

• Weed control in rice, Jason Norsworthy;
• Weed control in soybeans, Chase Bell;
• Soybean fertility, Jeremy Ross;
• Rice breeding program, Karen Moldenhauer;
• Rice water weevil and grape colapsis, Gus Lorenz;
• Rice fertility, Rick Norman; and
• Soybean diseases and Asian rust update, Scott Monfort.