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Established in 1909, the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, located near Crowley, Louisiana, is recognized both nationally and internationally for its significant contributions to rice science and production. Our teams of scientists and extension specialists are dedicated to advancing the rice industry through innovative research, technology development, and outreach tailored to meet industry needs. Through innovative research and direct collaboration with rice producers and industry stakeholders, the Rice Research Station continues to be a cornerstone for the advancement of the rice industry in Louisiana and beyond.
Our mission is to support the Louisiana and Southern rice industries through innovation, research, extension, and education. We strive to equip rice producers and the broader rice industry with research-based tools and knowledge to ensure their competitiveness, profitability, and sustainability in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
Research is focused on a wide range of agronomic practices. Key areas of research include fertilization rates and timings, planting systems, water management, ratoon cropping systems, evaluation and characterization of new varieties, and assessment of new agronomic products.
Development of novel rice varieties and germplasm with emphasis on traits related to improved nutritional attributes and herbicide tolerance. A major area of focus is on high protein and low glycemic index rice and the release of commercial varieties with these attributes.
Development of rice varieties for commercial production with an emphasis on improving yield, quality, disease resistance, and key agronomic traits. The rice breeding program is grounded in extensive field evaluations and integrates modern statistical and molecular breeding tools along with genetic discovery to improve breeding efficiencies.
Development of comprehensive rice insect management strategies. Key areas of focus include testing new insecticides and application methods, monitoring insect pressure and migration, characterizing insect resistance in new varieties and germplasm sources, and providing extension services to rice producers for all aspects of insect control and management.
This program serves as a key linkage between research and production. Providing management suggestions and diagnosis of issues in producers fields and communicating and prioritizing research needs based on industry needs. A key component of this program is the Rice Verification Program, in which a cohort of growers work with the Specialist throughout an entire crop to implement the recommended practices throughout the crop.
A critical function of the Rice Research Station is the production and sale of Foundation Seed, the starting point of a certified seed system. The LSU AgCenter Rice Foundation Seed Program is widely recognized as a world-class seed program that produces high-quality, uniform seed. Extreme attention to detail is applied to each activity to minimize the potential for seed mixtures and impurities. The project collaborates closely with the Breeding Program, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry seed inspectors, and the rice seed industry to ensure that rice producers have access to high-quality seed.
Development of comprehensive rice disease management strategies. Key areas of focus include rice disease epidemiology, monitoring changes in disease prevalence and intensity, developing integrated pest management strategies, testing new technologies and strategies for their application, characterizing disease resistance in new varieties and germplasm, and providing extension services to rice producers for all aspects of disease identification and control.
Development of comprehensive weed management strategies. Key areas of focus include testing new herbicide products, developing and optimizing weed control strategies for key weeds, evaluating new herbicide-tolerant production systems and the resistance of new varieties, monitoring weed ecology in rice production systems, and providing extension services to rice producers on all aspects of weed and herbicide issues.
