The Rice Technical Working Group (RTWG) meets at least biennially to provide for continuous exchange of information, cooperative planning, and periodic review of all phases of rice research and extension being carried out by the states, federal government, and cooperating agencies. It develops proposals for future work, which are suggested to the participating agencies for implementation.

The RTWG 2025 conference will be held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dates for the conference are February 17-20, 2025.

Although still in the preliminary stages, we are confident that we are planning an eagerly anticipated meeting. In addition to the traditional presentations and posters showcasing rice research, we are planning several symposiums to address issues impacting the rice industry.   One of those symposiums will be an educational workshop specifically targeted to consultants and rice industry personnel.  Topics planned for that workshop are 1) Factors Influencing Milling Quality, 2) Fungicide Combinations and Timing, and 3) New Herbicide Technology.  Other symposiums planned will address Invasive Species and Influences of Consumer Demand for Rice.    The symposiums will take place on the afternoon of Monday, February 17^th while the research presentations and display of research posters will take place starting on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 18^th through Wednesday, February 19^th. 

Some dates of interest for the 2025 RTWG meeting:

·         October 18, 2024 – Deadline for submission of interpretative summary for presented papers and posters

·         December 6, 2024 – Deadline for submission of award nomination packets

·         December 13, 2024 – Deadline for submission abstracts of accepted presented papers and posters

·         January 17, 2025 – Deadline for registering for the conference without a late fee

·         January 17, 2025 – Deadline for hotel reservations under conference room block

For more information about the meeting, please visit https://RTWG.org 

We hope that you will join us in New Orleans in February.  Please pass this information onto colleagues that you feel may be interested.