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Rose Marie Readom

Fri, 07/10/2020 - 8:10am

Homegoing services will be conducted for Rose Marie Readom on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Light- house for Jesus Ministries, 6526 Chaisson Road, Abbeville, LA. Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with visitation being held from 9:00 to time of services. Bishop Donnie Bolden, Jr. will be the officiant.
Rose Readom transitioned on Saturday, June 27, with her family surrounding her. Rose Readom was born to Ethel Wimbly Readom and George Readom on January 2, 1951 in Lafayette, Louisiana. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Pleasant Green Baptist Church by the late Dr. I.J. Joiner at an early age. She was reared in Abbeville and was a graduate of James A. Herod High School. After graduating from high school, she joined Job Corps and moved to Dallas, Texas. She later moved back home and stayed until God called her home.
Upon returning to her hometown of Abbeville, she met Pastor Donnie Bolden and Prophetess Annie Bolden and joined in with the ministry of Lighthouse For Jesus. She allowed God to use her and served in many capacities. Since then, she has been a pillar of the church and she served as a Sunday School teacher. At Lighthouse for Jesus , she allowed God to use her and she coordinated the 1st Pas- tor’s Appreciation. She was the church’s van driver, she was an active member of the Praise singers. She was a dependable deliverer of dinners, she was a member of the Daughters of Rahmen. She was one of the first choir directors of the church. She was a fervent prayer warrior and led the prayer in- tercessory group. She was also a teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy for 18 years. Everyone she met knew that she was a true Woman of God and a soldier in the army of the Lord. She always wore that infectious smile and always showed the love of God to everyone she came in contact with. She would never do anything that would cause anyone to scandalize her name. Her greatest loves were God first, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her Lighthouse for Jesus family. She enjoyed hanging out with her “bestie” and “ride or die” friend, Sis. Trula. She also loved to hang out with her other “bestie” Sis. Rita and she was always seen with her daughter, Renee.
Sister Rose leaves to cherish many memories, one son, Reginald Readom of Dallas, Texas, and five daughters, Pamela R. Campbell of Dallas, Texas, Linda Caffery of Houston, Texas, Renee, Tonia, and Sonia Readom, all of Abbeville, LA.; 23 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, one sister, Mary Green; and seven brothers, Leon Readon from Maryland, John Readom of Cottonport, LA, James Readom of Germany, Frank Readom of Abbeville, Lloyd Rankin of Maurice, La,, Micheal Stewart of Houma, LA, and Raywood Stewart of Lafayette,La; one aunt, Adell Johnson of Orange, Texas, one uncle, Robert Foster Sr. of Franklin, LA; one great aunt, Anna Brailey Washington of Abbeville, LA, her Lighthouse for Jesus church family, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel W. Readom and George Readom; one son, Marcus Thomas, one grand daughter, Kelen Readom Jolivette; one great grandson, Zack Pillette; one sister, Sally Readom; two brothers, George Readom and Israel Readom; maternal aunts, Merdis Nixon, Leolia Johnson, Beatrice Williams and Edna Mae Brooks; maternal uncles, Eddie Lee, Albert Lee, Willie Lee; paternal aunts, Edna Wilson Harris, Alma Wislson Guidry, Audrey Wilson Robinson, Lucille Wimbly; paternal uncles, Calvin Campbell, Eddie Thomas, Walter Wilson, Whitney Wilson, Joseph Wilson, Jr, Marshall Readom and Willie Readom and two nephews, Aaron Wallace of Abbeville and Michael Stewart Jr. of Houma, LA.

Dorothy Mae Coleman

Fri, 07/10/2020 - 8:02am

ABBEVILLE – Burial service for Dorothy Mae Coleman is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Mouton Cove. Rev. Medeate L. C. DeRouen, officiating.
God in his infinite wisdom sends us angels and then decides on the appropriate time to call them home. Dorothy Mae Coleman would want us to celebrate her life and home-going as she now joins our Heavenly Father.
Dorothy was born October 28, 1922 to the late Ollie and Bertha Rogers Coleman in Mouton Cove, LA (Abbeville). “Dot/Dot Tee” as she was affectionately known by family and friends departed this life on July 7, 2020. She was one of seven siblings.
Her early Christian experience started at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Mouton Cove, later she joined Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church where she served as Deaconess and on the Mission Board. Sister Dorothy served as president of Area 5 Mission of 7th District Baptist Association. At her death, she was “Mother of the Church.”
Sister Dorothy graduated from Abbeville Training School. She was a retiree of Riviana Rice Mill (Packing Plant). She worked in her community as a faithful member of HEROD Village, Inc.
Sister Dorothy leaves to cherish her memories, her children, Alyce H. Robinson and Patricia R. Plowden of Abbeville, LA; Kenneth R. (Cassandra) Robinson of Pearland, TX; step children, Philip Robinson and Tracey Robinson of Houston, TX; brother, Eldridge (Flora) Coleman of Matteson, IL; a play daughter, Jenny Dawson of Abbeville, LA; twenty grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; thirty-two great-great grandchildren; three great-great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Richard A. Robinson; daughter, Barbara R. Hill; grandson, Patrick A. Robinson; brothers, Joseph, Harris and Ollie (Jr.) Coleman; sisters, Agnes Coleman and Elta Mae C. Briggs; sons-in-law, Roland and Jeffrey Plowden.
Kinchen Funeral Home – 218 N. St. Valerie Street (337) 898-9595 is in charge of final arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family may be expressed on our website at: www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.

COVID-19 mobile testing site to open Friday at Cajun Field

Thu, 07/09/2020 - 11:11am

LAFAYETTE — UL Lafayette has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Health to establish a mobile COVID-19 testing site at Cajun Field.
Free, drive-thru tests will be performed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from Friday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 15.
No ID is needed for testing, but registration is required.
Pre-registration can be completed at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com. Under test locations, click “Louisiana” then Cajun Field (Mobile #3).
People will be allowed to register at the site, but can expect longer waits.
Testing will be available for any Louisiana resident at least 5 years old. Guardians must accompany anyone under 16.
Attendees must provide a phone number and email address.
People who visit the site are encouraged to wear masks. Those being tested will perform nasal swabs on themselves as they wait in their vehicles. The process will be observed by a health care professional to ensure it is done correctly. Sealed samples will be dropped in a container.
Results will be emailed, and posted online at www.DoINeedaCOVID19test.com.
It is expected to take three to five days to get test results.
People who test positive will also be contacted by phone. There is no phone number to call for results.
Motorists should enter the Cajun Field parking lot via West Congress Street through Gate 3. Once testing is complete, they will exit on Reinhardt Drive onto Bertrand Street through Gate 1.
For more information, contact the LDH Region 4 Office of Public Health at (337) 262-5311.

Michael Jude Hargrave

Thu, 07/09/2020 - 11:06am

August 28, 1962 - July 1, 2020

ABBEVILLE — On July 1, 2020 God took another angel home. Michael Jude Hargrave, 57 years old, of Abbeville, Louisiana.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville. Fr. François Sainte-Marie will officiate the service.
Michael was born in Marquette, Michigan to Raymond Hargrave and Marilyn Lormand Hargrave, both of Kaplan, Louisiana. Michael was the oldest of four children.
Michael performs numerous odd jobs as a teenager. After graduating from high school, he worked as a roustabout then was hired on at Riviana Rice Mill where he was promoted to Quality Control department. Michael worked for Riviana for 24 years until the rice mill closed. At that time Michael enrolled at Lafayette General Hospital in an LPN class. After graduation Michael worked for Abbeville General Hospital until his health forced him to quit due to dialysis three times a week.
Michael will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Michael leaves behind to mourn him, his wife Cleomary Reyes Castellanos (originally from Barranquilla, Colombia); mother-in-law, Irma Castellanos (from Barranquilla, Colombia); sister-in-law, Irma Reyes Castellanos (from Abbeville, Louisiana); niece, Daniela Navarro Reyes; mother, Marilyn Lormand Hargrave (from Kaplan, Louisiana); sisters, Paula Maria-Rosa Hargrave (Jeanne) of Abbeville, Louisiana and Patrina Rae Hargrave (Judith) of Deltona, Florida; brother, Mark James Hargrave, (Alejandra) of Lafayette, Louisiana; three nieces, Yasmin Hargrave, Shayla Hargrave and Brooklyn Weekly; and uncles, godfather, Otis Hargrave, Russell Hargrave, (Mary) of Kaplan, Louisiana, Eugene Lormand (Joann- deceased), and Arthur Lormand (Beverly); aunts, godmother Martha Mae Dubois (Dallas), Mae Rose Meaux (Wilson), Ella Jane Bertrand, Gloria Detraz (Libby), Ella Mae (Ruston), Russell Racca (deceased), and Anne Lou Dupre (Jimmie).
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Hargrave; grandparents Otis & Elsie V. Hargrave, Bernice Vidrine and Phillip Lormand; and step-grandfather, Jessie Vidrine.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, July 10, 2020 from 12:30 PM until 3:30 PM.
Thanks to all his caretakers at home and his many hospital stays.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Leroy Raymond Sneed

Thu, 07/09/2020 - 8:28am

ABBEVILLE — A Home-going Celebration will be held for Mr. Leroy Raymond Sneed, 69, at July 10, 2020, at Faith Hope Christian Fellowship Church. Rev. Walter August, Sr. (Pastor of The Church of Bethel's Family, Houston, TX) will officiate.
He will await the resurrection at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at the church on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
Leroy Raymond Sneed affectionately known as “Raymond” was born on September 26, 1944, to the late, Mr. Walter Sneed, Sr. and Mrs. Rosa Lee Sneed Campbell.
He accepted Christ as his Savior and was a member of Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Abbeville, LA. On an educational level, he attended James A. Herod High School in Abbeville, LA and Lincoln High School in Port Arthur, TX. He was a faithful employee for over eighteen years at Grant Hardware and Caterpillar, Inc. in Joliet, IL. His career began with his employment at Walmart and then moved on to K&M Scrapyard in Abbeville.
He leaves to mourn his passing three children: Raymond Perry Sneed (Phyllis) of Abbeville, LA, Shandra Lee Jourdan of Woodbridge, IL and Detra Sneed of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one godchild: Debra Vallot of Joliet, IL; one brother-in-law: Pastor Walter August (Ruby) of Missouri City, TX; three sisters-in-law, Doris Cartwright (John) of Joliet, IL, Dolores Mitchell (Robert) of Abbeville, LA and Dorothy Simon (Lester) of Abbeville, LA; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Raymond was preceded in death by his wife: Mary Louise Sneed; his parents: Walter Sneed, Sr. and Rosa Lee Sneed Campbell; two sisters: Rosa Bell Glover and Ella Ruth Sneed; one brother: Walter Sneed, Jr.; one grandson: Deon Perry; three brothers-in-law: Alfred Lee Sr., Earnest Lee, Jr. and Lester Simon Sr. and one sister-in-law: Lizzie Como.
For the safety and well-being of all, attendees are asked to adhere to the CDC/local regulations by practicing 6 feet social distancing and required to wear masks.
Condolences may be expressed at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home (337-893-2440) 1116 Green Street, Abbeville, LA 70510.

Jordan Hunstberry

Abbeville officers arrest man who allegedly had drugs, weapons in his vehicle with a child

Wed, 07/08/2020 - 10:13am

An Abbeville man has been booked on multiple charges after officers reportedly found an unrestrained child, weapons and drugs in his vehicle.
Abbeville officers arrested Jordan Hunstberry after stopping him early Wednesday morning.
On July 8, 2020 at approximately 1:30 a.m., a K9 officer of the Abbeville Police Department observed a Dodge Challenger stopped at the intersection of N. East Street and Graceland Avenue.
The officer observed that the vehicle had its “parking” lights on, but no headlights were on as he passed the vehicle. The officer observed the vehicle leave the intersection, and the officer attempted to turn around to try and stop the vehicle.
The vehicle was traveling towards another officer, and the officer observed the vehicle go off of the road completely to the right and back onto the roadway. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, initiating their emergency lights and siren. The vehicle did a “U-turn” in the roadway and attempted to flee. The vehicle fled onto the Circle K convenience store parking lot, where officers surrounded the vehicle. The driver, now identified as Jordan Huntsberry of Abbeville, got out of the vehicle and began yelling at officers. Huntsberry was then taken into custody.
Officers searched the vehicle for more occupants, and a small child was located sleeping behind the driver’s seat, not strapped in a car seat. Officers also observed a bag containing suspected marijuana. Officers then observed an AK47 rifle laying on the back-seat passenger floorboard. As an officer removed the child and the unused car seat from the vehicle, he observed a clear plastic baggy fall from the car seat. The baggy contained several cocaine “rocks”. Officers then located more bags containing marijuana, several “Adderall” pills, “Xanax” pills, a “cookie” of cocaine and $1,097.00 in cash. Officers also located digital scales.
The child was released to a family member and Huntsberry was transported to the Abbeville Police Department for booking. A routine criminal history was run, and it was discovered that Huntsberry had previous felony convictions, including Manslaughter in 2012. Huntsberry was booked into the Abbeville Police Department and transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center.
In addition to traffic citations, Huntsberry was booked on the following charges:
• Flight from an Officer
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule I Drugs
• Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs
• Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a CDS
• Possession of Schedule IV Drugs
• Possession of a CDS in the Presence of a Juvenile
• Transactions Involving Drug Proceeds
• Possession of Schedule II Drugs
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Chief of Police William Spearman would like to commend his officers for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the citizens of Abbeville for their support and help they provide to the Abbeville Police Department.
Chief Spearman would also like to remind all of the citizens that we are there, 24 hours a day, to serve you. We encourage all of our citizens to stay vigilant and contact us if you need. In addition to dialing 911, you can contact us at 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through the Tip411 system at the department’s Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/AbbevillePolice Department/, the official web page @ www.abbevillepd.com by clicking on the “Submit a Tip” link provided or through the official Abbeville Police Department app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Driver Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash in Iberia Parish

Tue, 07/07/2020 - 8:05am

IBERIA PARISH – Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on July 6, 2020, Louisiana State Police Troop I was notified of a two-vehicle fatal crash on LA Hwy 14 near Leleux Road in Iberia Parish. The crash claimed the life of 53-year-old Wayne J. Touchet of New Iberia.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, driven by Touchet, was traveling south on Leleux Road. At the same time, a 2018 GMC Denali HD pickup was traveling west on LA 14. For reasons still under investigation, Touchet failed to yield at the stop sign and entered on to LA 14. The GMC stuck the Silverado on the driver’s side in the westbound lane of travel.
Troopers determined Touchet, despite being restrained at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office. The driver of the GMC was properly restrained. He suffered only minor injuries and refused medical treatment. The passenger in the GMC, who was also properly restrained, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The driver of the GMC submitted a breath sample which indicated no alcohol present. Toxicology samples were taken from Touchet and results are pending. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Taking only a few extra seconds to scan at intersections can often mean the difference between life and death.
Troop I has investigated 28 fatal crashes resulting in 31 deaths since the beginning of 2020.

Nikita Bourque

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ERATH TRAILER FIRE

Mon, 07/06/2020 - 5:26pm

The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) has arrested an Erath woman for setting fire to her aunt’s vacant mobile home out of anger over plans to rent it out.
Nikita Bourque, 21, was booked into the Vermilion Parish Jail on one count of Simple Arson.
In the evening hours of Friday, July 3, the Erath Fire Department responded to a call for a residential fire in the 200 block of North Broussard Street. The mobile home was vacant and had no utilities connected.
After an assessment of the scene, deputies determined the fire originated in a bedroom and was intentionally set.
Witness statements indicated Bourque had recently expressed disapproval of plans for a new tenant to move into the trailer.
With the assistance of Erath Police, Bourque was located and agreed to speak to deputies about the fire. During an interview with investigators, Bourque admitted to setting the fire.
She was then placed under arrest in connection with the case.

Vermilion Parish School District’s plan to return in August

Mon, 07/06/2020 - 9:18am

Starting each school year on a strong note is something for which everyone involved strives for.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning the school year at all will take a strong plan.
The Vermilion Parish School District has one in place.
On Thursday, Interim Superintendent Brad Prudhomme announced the details of the district’s “Strong Start 2020. Better Together” plan, which may have students going to school on different days.
At this time, students 1st - 12th are expected to begin school on Aug. 10.
Pre-K and Kindergarten students are expected to report on Aug. 13.
“Vermilion Parish leaders have a firm belief that we are “Better Together!,” Prudhomme exclaimed. “The plan presented outlines for both instructional and operational considerations to ensure that our staff can teach and our students can learn in the safest environments possible.”
Louisiana is currently in Phase II. Edwards is expected to make a decision on whether to move to Phase III later this month. The state has seen a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
If the state remains in Phase II when the school year begins, Vermilion’s plan will include all elementary students going to school, with middle and high school students doing so on a rotating basis between Group A and Group B. Buses will be allowed to have 50% capacity, and run on multiple routes.

Phase II and Phase III details for Elementary, Pre-K through fifth grade are:
• All elementary students report to school 5 days per week with static grouping and safety protocols in place. Static groups are cohorts of students who remain together in a learning environment throughout the day. Interaction between static groups on campus is minimized.
• Instructional times will be adjusted to accommodate the arrival of buses.
• Guidelines on face coverings/masks will be released by the Vermilion Parish School Board in accordance with the Office of Public Health and CDC recommendations.
Phase II details for Middle School (6th to 8th) are:
• Middle school students report on an A/B schedule with social distancing to the maximum extent possible and safety protocols.
• When a group is not present at school, they are engaged in distance learning utilizing both Google Classroom and/or hard copies. (Hybrid)
• Attendance is recorded and assignments are graded.

A/B Schedule
Monday - Group A ; Tuesday - Group B; Wednesday - Group A; Thursday - Group B; Friday - Rotate Weekly
• Students with significant disabilities have the opportunity to report 5 days per-week as per IEP decision
• Guidelines on face coverings/masks will be released by the Vermilion Parish School Board in accordance with the Office of Public Health and CDC recommendations.

Phase II details for high school are:
• High school students report on an A/B schedule with social distancing to the maximum extent possible and safety protocols.
• When a group is not present at school, they are engaged in distance learning utilizing both Google Classroom and/or hard copies). (Hybrid)
• Attendance is recorded and assignments are graded.
A/B Schedule
Monday - Group A Tuesday - Group B Wednesday - Group A Thursday - Group B Friday - Rotate Weekly
• Students with significant disabilities have the opportunity to report 5 days per-week as per IEP decision
• Guidelines on face coverings/masks will be released by the Vermilion Parish School Board in accordance with the Office of Public Health and CDC recommendations.
Virtual Vermilion will offer an option for students not going to a campus. Details of that option are:
• Any student may elect to register in our Virtual Vermilion program during any phase of school opening
• Edgenuity software is utilized at Virtual Vermilion for grades K-12
• Details regarding Virtual Vermilion Program will be released July 8 and posted on the Vermilion Parish School Board Website
• Online Registration will take place July 13th - July 31st
• Students enrolled in Virtual Vermilion may participate in school-based extracurricular activities
Should Edwards move the state into Phase III prior to the scheduled start of the school year, there are plans for middle and high school students.

Phase III details for for Middle School (6th to 8th) are:
• All middle school students report to school 5 days per week with social distancing protocols to the maximum extent possible and safety protocols.
• Assemblies or gym use must be below 49 students plus teacher.
• Guidelines on face coverings/masks will be released by the Vermilion Parish School Board in accordance with the Office of Public Health and CDC recommendations.
Phase III details for high school are:
• All high school students report to school 5 days per week with social distancing protocols to the maximum extent possible and safety protocols.
• Assemblies or gym use must be below 49 students plus teacher.
• Guidelines on face coverings/masks will be released by the Vermilion Parish School Board in accordance with the Office of Public Health and CDC recommendations.
“I would like to thank our Vermilion Parish Strong Start Task Force, school administrators, central office supervisors, department heads, and the Vermilion Parish School Board for their collaboration in developing a Strong Start Plan,” Prudhomme said.

The 2020 field day for the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station was held online starting July 1. It can be accessed at www.lsuagcenter.com/ricefieldday. Photo by Jacob Fluitt/LSU AgCenter

Rice research showcased at virtual field day

Mon, 07/06/2020 - 8:46am

Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter

CROWLEY — Scientists at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station detailed their work in an online field day presentation on July 1.
Mike Salassi, LSU AgCenter vice president for plant and animal science, said the virtual field day was necessary as a safeguard against the coronavirus pandemic. Salassi said rice adds $1 billion of economic activity in the state.
Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture, said the field day provides farmers and landowners the chance to see how their check-off dollars are spent on research. The Louisiana Rice Research Board determines how farmers’ check-off funding is spent.
“The pandemic is not stopping us from doing research,” Richardson said. “Our research stations have stayed open.”
The College of Agriculture and the LSU AgCenter are committed to diversity. “We’re here to serve all citizens of the state,” he said.
Richard Fontenot, Louisiana Rice Research Board chairman, commended the AgCenter for continuing its work through the challenging time.
The entire online presentation can be viewed at www.lsuagcenter.com/ricefieldday.
In his video talk, AgCenter rice breeder Adam Famoso said breeding work has continued despite the pandemic. He said 7,500 plots were planted for variety development with 65,000 panicle rows this year on the station and at off-station sites across the state.
A proven line, LA2140, is a candidate for release as a variety. It is a cross between varieties Cheniere and Mermentau with grain quality slightly less than Cheniere. Four years of testing shows LA2140 out yields Cheniere by 5% to 10%. “If it performs well again this year, we will likely release this line at the end of the year,” Famoso said.
Another conventional long-grain line, LA2207, has shown similar yield as LA2140 and similar grain quality as Cheniere. It offers improved disease resistance and has the blast-resistant gene. “This is another very promising conventional line to follow up to 2140,” he said.
The medium-grain line LA2227 is a cross between Neptune and Jupiter varieties and is slightly shorter and earlier than Jupiter. It showed an 8% yield advantage over Jupiter in 2018 and was on par in 2019. It also has the blast-resistant gene.
A Clearfield long grain variety, CLL17, will be released by Horizon Ag next year. It has the blast resistant gene, and its yield is 5% to 8% higher than CL153, Famoso said.
Another Clearfield line, CL2026, has potential as the top-yielding line last year with grain quality similar to CL153. “We will see how this line does this year. It’s another one we potentially might begin purifying this winter in Puerto Rico if it continues to perform as it has in recent years,” he said.
The Provisia variety PVL02 has 15% better yield and improved tolerance to the Provisia herbicide. Its grain is shorter than PVL01, Famoso said.
Four sister lines have been selected in development of the next Provisia variety, PVL03, a cross between PVL01 and Catahoula. A decision will be made at the end of the year if effort on any of the lines will continue, he said.
AgCenter entomologist Blake Wilson used videos to demonstrate how rice water weevil populations on rice plant roots are determined. The counts are made with 5,000 to 6,000 core samples on more than 1,000 plots.
Entomology research includes testing of new products, particularly seed treatments.
Yield losses of 5% to 10% are common from fields unprotected against the weevils. “Severe case losses can exceed 25 to 30 percent, so farmers must have a weevil management plan in place,” Wilson said.
Wilson also said he will be monitoring the spread of apple snails that are prevalent in the Mermentau River basin. The snails have affected crawfish operations more, clogging traps and, in some cases, forcing farmers to drain their fields.
AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth said farmers should learn the best rates and timing for fungicides. “We’re probably not going to have any new ones in the near future,” he said.
Farmers should consider disease resistance when they select varieties, but no variety has resistance to all diseases, including Cercospora, sheath blight, blast, bacterial panicle blight and smuts.
Groth said disease is encouraged in his research plots to get an idea of new varieties’ disease resistance. “We do everything we can to cause disease in those plots,” he said.
Fungicide application timing is critical. Treating a field for sheath blight or Cercospora requires application between panicle differentiation and heading, while an application for blast should be done at 50% to 70% heading. Fungicides for kernel smut or fall smut should be applied with a 2-to-4-inch panicle in the boot. But if blast is also important, an application should be done at heading also. After a plant is 50% to 75% headed, a fungicide doesn’t have much benefit, Groth said.
AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster said he is studying Provisia herbicide rates for PVL01 and PVL02. Injury to young rice plants should be expected when a grass herbicide like Provisia is used.
The variety PVL01 appears to be injured even before the herbicide application, but PVL02 is less sensitive to the herbicide. “It’s just a much better-looking rice,” he said.
Loyant herbicide can be applied with urea fertilizer in a flood, but spraying the chemical is more effective, Webster said. However, applying it with a fertilizer may be necessary on rice fields adjacent to homes or other crops affected by Loyant. “You get less chance of drift and less chance of off-target movement to sensitive plants and ornamentals,” he said.
Less injury from Loyant occurs in south Louisiana because it is applied earlier than in north Louisiana. Loyant has good activity on weeds shorter than 4 inches tall and weeds in a flooded field below the waterline.
Loyant may not kill all weeds, but it will stunt weed growth and make the plants non-competitive for nutrients. “It’s just going to be a learning process for us as researchers as well as growers and consultants getting used to seeing that plant not moving after the time of application,” Webster said.
AgCenter hybrid rice breeder Jim Oard explained how hybrids are developed in ways that are distinct from those of conventional varieties. Pollination for hybrids can be accomplished in small research plots with ropes dragged over the tops of plants or with sticks to hit the plants to dislodge pollen. But large-scale production of hybrids is done with a helicopter, Oard said.
Four Clearfield and five Provisia hybrid lines are being developed and tested in multiple trials. The candidate hybrids show high-yield potential, good quality and lodging resistance. “We’ve made very good progress in moving this material along to commercialization,” Oard said.
AgCenter crawfish specialist and Louisiana Sea Grant agent Mark Shirley gave details about his work comparing the crawfish catch from a field with a second crop of rice against a field with no second crop.
The second-crop field had a crawfish yield of 640 pounds per acre compared to 662 pounds for the field with no second crop.
But the field without a second crop had crawfish earlier when prices were higher, resulting in a $70-per-acre increase in income. But with rice prices at the current level, a second crop that yields in excess of 10 barrels an acre could be more profitable.
“If you can cut more than 10 barrels, it would have paid you to invest in that second crop and just accept that your crawfish crop will be just a little bit late,” Shirley said.
The rice straw in the field with a second crop resulted in lower water quality, and that may be why crawfish production is delayed, he said.
The test, funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board, will be conducted again this year.
AgCenter rice specialist Dustin Harrell talked about fertilizer applications. The first dose of fertilizer, about two-thirds of a season’s total, should be applied before permanent flood, with the final amount at green ring growth stage.
Preflood application has the most potential for nitrogen loss from ammonia volatilization, but a urease inhibitor can lessen that loss, although it will have no benefit if the fertilizer is applied in a flood, he said.
Nitrogen rates are tailored for different varieties by testing fertilizer rates at locations statewide with various soil types. “We want to see how these different environments play to these nitrogen rate recommendations,” Harrell said.
Rice that lodges in a test is a good indication that a fertilizer rate is too high, he said.
Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, said rice farmers should be optimistic. “I think you’re going to see a lot of positive motion for the price of rice across the world,” he said.
Some countries in the Far East are stockpiling rice, he said.
Federal money will be coming to agricultural producers because of the pandemic. “We are anticipating some funds for the crawfish industry,” Strain said, adding it’s possible that rice farmers also could receive federal aid.

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Rose Marie Readom

Dorothy Mae Coleman

COVID-19 mobile testing site to open Friday at Cajun Field

Michael Jude Hargrave

Leroy Raymond Sneed

Abbeville officers arrest man who allegedly had drugs, weapons in his vehicle with a child

Driver Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash in Iberia Parish

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ERATH TRAILER FIRE

Vermilion Parish School District’s plan to return in August

Rice research showcased at virtual field day

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Abbeville Meridional

The Kaplan Herald

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