Dr. Donnie Miller Soybean & Corn Researcher Of The Year
Dr. Donnie Miller, NE Research Station, LSU AgCenter, has been named the 2025 Soybean & Corn Researcher of the Year at the 28th Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference, Southern Soybean & Corn Conference, Delta States Irrigation Conference and the Southern Precision Ag Conference.
Dr. Miller obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy (1990) from the University of Louisiana. He earned his Master of Science (1993), and PhD (1996) in Weed Science from Louisiana State University. He went to work with the LSU AgCenter upon graduation in 1996 and he obtained his rank of full Professor in July 2009. Dr. Miller completed the LSU AgCenter Internal Leadership Program Graduate in 2008 and graduated for the LEAD 21 National Leadership Development Program in 2007. For over 28 years he has served Louisiana agriculture as a scientist developing and improving weed management strategies in field corn, soybean, cotton, and sweet potato. His outstanding efforts were recognized by the LSU AgCenter when he was awarded the John Baker Professorship in Excellence in Weed Science.
Dr. Miller was nominated for this award due to his research to improve weed management in conservation tillage systems for corn and or early season soybean. His work has been in collaboration with Mr. James Hendrix, environmental sciences regional extension agent for the LSU AgCenter in small plot research and on-farm trials. Their work for the last couple of years has prioritized weed management of Italian rye grass (IRG) using multiple strategies including winter cover crops and selective herbicide application strategies. Many populations of IRG are resistant to glyphosate and this weed is a severe yield limiting issue for many farmers in field corn and in early soybean production systems.
Dr. Miller studied the effects of selected winter cover crops on suppression of IRG. Those studies examined winter cover crop species, seeding rates in the fall and planting methodology. As a weed scientist he also examined herbicide use programs that would offer control of IRG in fall and spring applications. Miller and his colleagues looked at IRG management using a combination of winter crops and herbicide use programs. He has studied the effects of delayed burn down herbicide application timing in the spring on winter cover crops. He has developed information on selected herbicide combinations that will allow farmers to terminate winter cover crops much closer to the actual time of planting corn or soybean to reduce in-season weed problems without adverse effects from insect pests or reduced plant efficiency. Reduced bed erosion, enhanced moisture conservation, greater soil health, and better summer weed control are all outcomes of Dr. Miller’s work with delayed burn down treatments on winter cover crops.
Dr. Miller has generated over sixty-five refereed journal articles, one book chapter, numerous abstracts and hundreds of professional and extension presentations highlighting the results of his research efforts. Some of his past awards include LSU AgCenter Faculty Council recognition for multiple terms, Distinguished Service Award of Contribution to the LA. Sweet Potato Industry, Rogers Research Excellence Award for Outstanding Research in LA. Agricultural Experiment Station, LA. Agriculture Service Award for Distinguished Service on the LA. Agriculture Magazine Editorial Board, and the Tipton Team Research Award for Excellence in Research in the Weed Resistance Tash Force. He has three sons whom he adores, he loves LSU football, hobbies include cooking traditional South Louisiana foods and helping promote the Cajun-French language. ∆