Industry News

The Environmental Protection Agency has registered Rogue SC Herbicide from Gowan Co. LLC for use on dry-seeded and water-seeded rice in the Mid-South and Texas.

The product contains benzobicyclon, an HPPD inhibitor and a member of the Weed Science Society of America’s Group 27.

When applied to a flooded field, benzobicyclon reacts with water, forming a metabolite. It is the metabolite that controls weeds. As such, Rogue has no herbicidal activity when applied to dry soil or foliage.

It is not labeled for furrow-irrigated or row rice that is not completely flooded, nor should it be used on fields with close contour levees, said Rogue SC product manager Chad Dyer. In addition, it is not labeled for use on fields that will go into crawfish later in the season.

Benzobicyclon must be applied to a flooded field, and the label recommends the water be held at a stable or static level for at least five days after application before lowering or draining.

Rogue is not intended to be a stand-alone herbicide and should be part of an integrated weed management program that includes tankmixing and/or rotating different effective modes of action, he said.

Rogue controls a number of weeds, including Amazon and bearded sprangletop, ducksalad, rice flatsedge and ricefield bulrush, according to the label. It also suppresses several weeds, including barnyardgrass and weedy rice.

Rogue is compatible with the Clearfield, FullPage, Provisia and Max-Ace systems to help prolong those chemistries, Dyer said.

Because Rogue is a novel herbicide that requires proper water management to obtain the best results, Gowan is requiring online training and certification. The training also offers 0.5 Certified Crop Advisor credit in the soil and water management category. For more information, visit https://www.gowancocom/ rogue-sc.

California Rice Experiment Station taps LSU’s Dustin Harrell as new director

The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation has tapped Dr. Dustin Harrell as its new director of the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs, California. “We couldn’t be more excited,” said Glenn rice grower and foundation chairman Gary Enos. “His experience as a rice agronomist and just being director of the LSU research station speaks very well of him.” Harrell spent 15 years at the Louisiana State Dr. Dustin Harrell University AgCenter’s H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research and Experiment Station in Crowley, most recently as professor and resident coordinator.

Harrell said one of the things that attracted him to the Rice Experiment Station position was an opportunity to work directly with rice growers.

“The system in that state is a little bit different,” he said. “The station is run by the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation board composed of 11 rice growers, so I get to work directly with them. And that’s a lot different system than we have here in Louisiana — we work for the Rice Research Board but we work for the university as well.”

Another aspect that interested Harrell was the herbicide-tolerant Roxy Rice Production System being developed by the Rice Experiment Station.

Researchers at the station identified a gene in 2014 that imparts tolerance to oxyfluorfen herbicide and are developing varieties containing the trait.

Justin Chlapecka named Missouri rice Extension specialist

Dr. Justin Chlapecka joined the University of Missouri Extension as state rice specialist at the Fisher Delta Research Center Aug. 1. He also serves as an assistant professor in the MU Division of Plant Science and Technology. In a new partnership between MU and the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council, Chlapecka will lead rice agronomy research efforts at the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville and the Missouri Rice Research and Demonstration Farm near Malden. Dr. Justin Chlapecka He will concentrate on applied research to improve sustainability and profitability of rice production in southeastern Missouri.

This includes testing of cultivars, rotational systems, pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs in flood-irrigated and furrow-irrigated rice culture, said Robert Kallenbach, associate dean for agriculture and environment Extension programs.

Chlapecka earned his doctorate in crop, soil and environmental science with an emphasis in rice agronomy at the University of Arkansas.

California industry honors rice station director Kent McKenzie for service

The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation recently honored Dr. Kent McKenzie with its annual California Rice Industry Award for his 32 years of service to the state's rice producers.

McKenzie also marked the 58th leader who was recognized with the award during the annual Rice Field Day at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs.

In receiving the award, McKenzie said, “I’ve been very blessed. Thanks especially to the ‘real’ Dr. McKenzie, Kathryn, my first lady of rice. It’s been a very good investment for me and my family. I hope it’s been good for you.”

Kathryn McKenzie was a veterinarian before she retired.

(from left) Kent McKenzie receives the California Rice Industry Award presented by California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation Chairman Gary Enos and board member Aaron Scheidel.