About Us
County Impact Statements - Lawrence County
Rice Integrated Pest Management Demonstrations Bring New Technology
to Local Farmers
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the long-term and
focused application of biological, cultural and chemical pest control
methods based on increased monitoring and knowledge of the crop production
ecosystem. Its goals are to increase the stability and safety of the food
supply, reduce economic production and environmental risks and minimize
pesticide usage. The rice IPM program provides funding from rice check-off
funds for research right here in Lawrence County.
Twenty-eight rice varieties including CL161, Francis and 1151
were planted in replicated plots for all to see. The plots are taken to yield
and data is provided to local farmers when selecting varieties for their farms
next year. Disease control is demonstrated by comparing the effectiveness of new
fungicides for control of disease.
Rice stink bug control was evaluated by utilizing available
insecticides and monitoring populations after treatment. New insecticides proved
to provide excellent control of the rice stink bug.
“It’s important to implement these new technologies on farms
in Lawrence County so we can see first hand how they perform here.” - Lawrence
County Rice Producer
Without these county demonstrations, producers would not be able to see how
new varieties perform on our soils. It is also great to be able to see the
physical appearance of the varieties and be able to decide if they will work on
their farm.
2003 Rice Disease Monitoring Plots |
Impacts
- 200 rice producers select improved varieties on 95,000 acres of rice
- Herbicide tolerant rice varieties show promise for controlling red rice
- 60 producers gained production knowledge at local field tour
- 70% or more farms using IPM
- County rice yield has increased 225 lbs. per acre in past three years
- 43,000 acres of rice soil sampled this year
- New irrigation techniques reduce water use by 20-50%
- 17 rice field demonstrations conducted
- 58 producers gained management assistance on 20,141 acres through use of
the DD50 computerized program
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