What the Rice Research Station Field Day Is
The Rice Research Station Field Day is the LSU AgCenter's yearly showcase of rice research at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, a working station of roughly 1,000 acres devoted to rice. It has been held each summer for more than 100 years, and the 117th annual field day took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Growers, industry people and researchers walk the plots, hear what breeders and specialists are finding, and take the news back to their own fields.
LSU AgCenter scientists have bred and released nearly 60 rice varieties since the early 1900s, developed for Louisiana conditions, and the station is where new lines are tested before release.
How the Day Runs
| Time (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Field tours begin, with wagons leaving periodically until 8:30 a.m. |
| 7:15 to 10:15 a.m. | Scientific poster session and trade show |
| 10:30 a.m. | Indoor program on program updates and industry issues |
| After the program | Lunch |
Tour topics cover rice breeding, disease, insect and weed management, and agronomy research. The indoor program draws speakers from the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Rice Research Board, the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and USA Rice.
What the 2026 Edition Covered
- Two new varieties. Suivant is a conventional long-grain with good milling, early heading and maturity and good ratoon potential. It yields slightly more than Avant on the first crop and resists blast, which Avant does not. LA22-1082 is a Clearfield long-grain with very low chalk, very long grain and excellent milling, and it was the top-yielding line in four years of statewide testing. It ratoons well, is taller (which helps with sheath blight tolerance) and produces more biomass, which helps fields rotated to crawfish.
- Pests and disease. The indoor program discussed the rice delphacid, an invasive insect found in Louisiana, and presenters covered plant pathology, weed science and entomology. Blast pressure was high this year.
- The crop. About 420,000 acres were planted in 2026, down from 470,000 in 2025, mostly in northeastern parishes, because of low commodity prices and high input costs. Early planting put harvest expected around July 4.
- Honors. The day was dedicated to Dr. Ronnie Levy, who retired as AgCenter rice specialist after a 43-year career. Jackie Loewer, a rice, soybean and crawfish producer from Acadia Parish, was named the first Champion of Rice Research.
Speakers included station director and rice breeder Dr. Adam Famoso, rice specialist Tyler Musgrove, plant pathologists Felipe Dalla Lana and Madison Flasco, weed scientist Connor Webster, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation president Richard Fontenot, LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton and College of Agriculture dean Matt Lee.
Who Should Come
Rice farmers, consultants, input suppliers, crawfish producers who rotate with rice, and anyone following Louisiana's rice industry. The AgCenter notice did not mention admission charges or registration. Louisiana harvested 3.53 billion pounds of rice in 2025, worth $608.7 million to the state's economy, on more than 462,000 acres across 30 parishes.
Where
H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, 1373 Caffey Road, Rayne, Louisiana 70578.
Questions
What time should I arrive?
Tours start at 7 a.m. and wagons run until 8:30 a.m., so arrive early to see the plots before the indoor program at 10:30 a.m.
Is lunch provided?
Yes, lunch follows the indoor program.
Is the next date set?
The most recent edition was June 24, 2026. The field day is held each summer.
Who do I call?
Dr. Kurt Guidry, assistant resident coordinator, at 337-788-7531.
Official Links
- LSU AgCenter rice field day set for June 24: schedule and contact
- At rice field day, AgCenter debuts two promising new varieties: 2026 report
- Rice Research Station events: field day notice
- LSU AgCenter events calendar: address and times
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Acadia Parish 4-H Spring Contest Day
Evening contest day covering Journey into Jobs interviews, demonstrations, meat identification and poultry identification, starting at 5 p.m. Held each year; the most recent date was March 16, 2026.
LA | Organizer: Acadia Parish 4-H Official event details - Acadia Parish 4-H Achievement Day
Achievement Day with the Ready to Wear fashion judging and an apron contest showcase, held at Midland High School. Held each year; the most recent date was May 4, 2026.
LA | Organizer: Acadia Parish 4-H Official event details - South Farm Rice Field Day
Rice field day at the LSU AgCenter South Farm in Crowley. Held each year; the most recent date was June 10, 2026.
Crowley, LA | Organizer: LSU AgCenter Official event details - IRF Rice and Gravy Cook-Off
Rice and gravy cook-off staged in downtown Crowley ahead of the International Rice Festival. Held each year; the most recent date was September 26, 2026.
Crowley, LA | Organizer: International Rice Festival Official event details - International Rice Festival
The 89th International Rice Festival fills downtown Crowley with a rice-eating contest, a frog derby and rice-themed food. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 15-18, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.