Bubba Leonards named Rice Farmer of Year

CROWLEY – John “Bubba” Leonards of Crowley has been chosen as the Rice Farmer of the Year for the 2014 International Rice Festival slated for the weekend of Oct. 16-19, 2014 in downtown Crowley, as announced by Connie Nutt, festival president.
Leonards grew up on the family farm north of Crowley. A fourth-generation rice farmer, his passion and dedication to farming began at an early age. Growing up, his father, Dennis could not leave the house without him by his side. There was never a doubt that he was going to farm.
Leonards is married to the former Susan Doucet and they have one son, Ben, who has followed his father’s footsteps and has joined the family farm. Ben, his wife Jessica and son John Luke reside in Crowley. The family are parishioners of St. Lawrence Church in Mowata.
Leonards graduated from Nortre Dame High School in 1980 and continued to work with his dad on the family farm. He also attended the Crowley Vocational Technical School and completed programs in both diesel mechanics and welding. This provided him with the skills to maintain and repair equipment which contributes to cost savings and efficiency.
In 1987 he rented 140 acres of rice and 140 acres of beans outside of the family farm. His first rice averaged 40 barrels per acre. Over the years the farming operation has continued to expand and today Leonards farms 3,800 acres individually and as a partner in Leonards Family Farms Partnership.
By utilizing innovative techniques and technology, many improvements have been made to the farm over time. These improvements have contributed to better drainage, more uniform stands and higher yields. His rice yields now average 50 barrels per acre or more, with some yields as high as 68 barrels per acre.
In 2008, Leonards Family Farms Partnership was formed when son Ben graduated from the University of Louisiana - Lafayette with a degree in sustainable agriculture and expressed his desire to join the family farm. The farms include 1,700 acres of rice, 1,700 acres of crawfish and 400 acres of soybeans.
The rice acreage is split evenly between long grain varieties and medium grain varieties. Long grain varieties planted consist of Clearfield111, Rice Tec 745, and Mermentau and the short grain varieties are Jupiter and C-271. Approximately one-third of the rice acreage is grown as certified seed rice.
Conservation practices play an important role on the Leonards’ farms. He learned from his dad that to survive in the farming industry you have to take a practical and innovative approach to farming.
Bubba has also been precision leveling since the late ’80s. This practice is beneficial for top soil management, to reduce run-off and promote higher yields. He uses minimum tillage techniques which not only saves time, but conserves water and reduces soil loss.
The seed bed is prepared in the fall by plowing and leveling. Then Valor and Command are applied to control the winter weeds and grass and in the spring, Round-Up is applied. The rice is then drilled into a stale seed bed.
Leonards prefers planting into a clean field because the ground warms faster and provides a more uniform stand of rice.
After planting, Command or Prowl is applied for control of early emergence of grasses. Once the rice is up, he uses LSU AgCenter and Rice Research Station information and recommendations to assist in his operational decisions. It is not uncommon to work with the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, county agents and local seed ag dealers using test plots to evaluate new varieties and/or treatment options for disease and insect control.
Leonards also recognizes the value and commitment of being involved in the rice industry and the community. He was active with the 4-H livestock shows for over 10 years. He has also been actively involved with the Notre Dame Athletic Board and has worked diligently to ensure successful fundraising projects.
He has given demonstrations on no-till rice productions and has provided tours related to the no-till rice productions. He also has done demonstrations regarding crawfish production and provided tours as well. In the fall, Leonards is actively involved in the rice thrashing demonstrations showcased at the Germanfest and the Rice Festival. He also maintains the equipment used for the demonstrations.
He serves on the boards of the Louisiana Rice Council, Acadia Rice Growers, Acadia Rice and Soybean Advisory Board, Acadia Parish County Committee and the Fourth Ward Drainage District. He is also a member of the Louisiana Seed Rice Growers Association, Louisiana Rice Growers Association, U.S. Rice Federation, U.S. Soybean Association, and the Acadia Parish Farm Bureau.
Farming is a very challenging and rewarding occupation (way of life) and as his dad always told him, “Hard work is the key to fanning.” Leonards said he enjoys farming because every day brings something different. It could be checking water, plowing, mechanic work, meetings or paperwork. He believes that farming goes down to your core and there is nothing like the smell of fresh turned dirt or fresh cut rice.
The International Rice Festival will honored Leonards at the Queen’s Ball on Sept. 20 at the Rice Festival Building