A five year collaboration between Loveland Products (LPI) and Dyna-Gro Seed, divisions of Nutrien Ag Solutions, and the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter is driving advancements in rice breeding and early stage agricultural research. Anchored by the LPI Research Station Support Fund, the initiative is structured to strengthen public sector research infrastructure and support the development of advanced rice germplasm and foundational technologies.
The partnership aims to accelerate the availability of improved rice varieties for US growers by enhancing early phase research, facilitating germplasm exchange and expanding the scientific capacity of LSU’s rice improvement program.
The LPI Research Station Support Fund was established by Loveland Products to strengthen field research infrastructure and public research programs. At LSU, this fund has played a crucial role in advancing the university’s rice breeding program. It has enabled expanded germplasm exchange and evaluation as well as collaborative field trials. These efforts are directed at enhancing the agronomic performance of rice varieties, focusing specifically on improved disease resistance, better grain quality, and adaptability to US growing environments.
The collaboration supports LSU AgCenter scientists by providing both financial assistance and technical resources that empower the development of improved rice germplasm and foundational breeding technologies. This support is intended to accelerate the delivery of high performing rice varieties to American farmers by reinforcing early stage research and expanding grant writing capacity among faculty.
Joint Research Leads to New Commercial Varieties
The partnership has resulted in the release of multiple commercial rice varieties and has built a robust breeding pipeline through shared research activities between LSU AgCenter and Nutrien Ag Solutions. By combining research capabilities and field knowledge, the partnership has generated timely insights into rice performance and its adaptability across different U.S. rice-growing regions.
Randy Ouzts, US Rice Manager at Nutrien Ag Solutions, emphasized the practical outcomes of the collaboration.
“Our collaboration with the LSU AgCenter is about unlocking the full potential of rice breeding science. By teaming up with top tier researchers and sharing breeding resources, we’re delivering real-time insights into product performance and regional adaptability. These discoveries are shaping the next generation of innovations that matter to rice producers.”
The strategic approach of integrating private sector expertise with public research capabilities has allowed both institutions to evaluate germplasm under diverse field conditions and refine breeding lines accordingly. This has contributed to the development of new rice solutions tailored for U.S. growers.
Expanded Research Capacity and Grant Outcomes
The impact of the partnership extends beyond the breeding program. With financial backing from Loveland Products, the LSU AgCenter has enhanced its internal research capacity, particularly through support for faculty in obtaining external funding. One such example is Loveland’s contribution to the Hanover Grant Writing Program. Under this initiative, 36 faculty members at the LSU AgCenter have completed formal training designed to improve their success in securing competitive research grants.
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As a direct result of this enhanced grant writing capacity, the LSU AgCenter has secured a US$ 3.9 million research grant and initiated 13 pilot research projects across a range of scientific disciplines. These outcomes reflect the broader institutional benefits of the collaboration, enabling the university to expand its research agenda and diversify its funding sources.
“The collaboration has enabled joint development initiatives and reciprocal access to germplasm – opportunities that would not exist without this level of private-public alignment.”
Recognition for Industry Academic Alignment
Loveland Products’ contributions to agricultural research and academic collaboration were formally acknowledged at the 2025 LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture AgExcellence ceremony. The company received the Industry Leader Award in recognition of its role in supporting LSU’s agricultural research mission and strengthening industry academic ties.
The award highlights the importance of private sector involvement in public research programs, particularly in sectors like agriculture where rapid innovation depends on access to both scientific research and practical field data.
Broader Strategic Focus on Sustainable Rice Production
The collaboration with LSU AgCenter is part of Loveland Products’ and Dyna-Gro Seed’s wider commitment to supporting sustainable and high performance rice production systems in the United States. By aligning with leading research institutions and investing in early stage breeding and agronomy research, the companies aim to deliver rice solutions that respond to evolving environmental and agronomic challenges.
Through this public private partnership model, Loveland and Dyna-Gro are working to ensure that rice growers across the US have access to new tools, insights, and improved crop varieties, grounded in applied science and developed through collaborative, long term research.