Louisiana advisory on planting farm-bin rice seed

The following advisory was sent to Extension agents in Louisiana today by Johnny Saichuk, Louisiana Extension Rice Specialist:

I have received questions about planting rice out of farm bins. The question is important in light of the situation with seed shortages and GMO regulations.

First, if the variety is either Cheniere or CL131 it CANNOT be planted at all. No exceptions.

For other varieties I recommend the grower contact one of the Louisiana Dept. of Ag and Forestry personnel on the attached list. They will come out and sample the rice or supervise the farmer while he pulls his own sample. Once the sample is obtained two tests should be performed.

• A germination test should be performed to provide cheap insurance before planting.
• A test for the presence of the adventitious presence of genetic modification will be necessary when the grower harvests and tries to sell the crop.
  

With the proper documentation it should be no problem. The one sample pulled from the bin can be divided to provide enough grain for each analysis. The LDAF personnel have been trained in the procedure and will know where the seed will go to be tested. There is a one time $50 charge for the sampling and the tests may also have fees attached. Regardless of fees both are worth it.

Normally, we do not recommend planting rice taken from on-farm storage because often it does not germinate well, contains weed seeds and foreign matter and does not flow well in planters. An exception is being made because of the extraordinary circumstances this year has presented.

Mr. Lester Cannon of the LDAF has told me there will probably be a class of seed listed as “non-certified because of low germ” available for sale. They are making special accommodations for rice growers because of the seed shortage. This seed will be labeled in such a manner that it should be clear it is not certified. Planting rates will have to be adjusted to compensate for the lower germination. In our manuals our planting rates have assumed at least 80% germination.

For example:

• Planting 80% germ seed at 75 lbs per acre would provide 60 lbs per acre of viable seed. (.80 X 75 = 60).
• To obtain the same amount of viable seed per acre with 60% germination would require a planting rate of 100 lbs per acre. (.6x = 60 or x = 60/.60 = 100 lbs.)

Rice cannot be sold from farm bins to other farmers because of plant variety protection act rules.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Johnny

John K. Saichuk, Ph.D.
Rice Specialist, LSU AgCenter
Southwest Region
1373 Caffey Rd.
Rayne, LA 70578

Office: 337-788-7547
Cell: 337-849-6253

Louisiana Rice Web Page www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/crops/rice

• Go to our home page for extensive coverage of Southern agriculture
• Subscribe to our free reports covering cotton, rice, peanuts and Southern grain