| The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a grant of $612,000 to a team of scientists to conduct a comprehensive study to measure the impact of post-harvest lesser grain borer infestations on rice milling quality. Dr. Tanja McKay, Entomology, will coordinate the insect monitoring studies at the Riceland rice mill in Jonesboro. Texas A & M will serve as the lead institution for the project. The team will look at the prevalence and seasonal history of insect infestations in field sites throughout the rice belt, assess insect control, and develop a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the practical economic benefit of new insect control measures. This study will ultimately develop a comprehensive risk analysis for stored rough rice. |
