Louisiana farmers are singing their praise for the rain the state saw this past weekend, according to an LSU AgCenter news release.”This rain is good for the rice industry,” said Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter’s Southwest Region and rice breeder, according to the release. “It’s going to provide some surface water for irrigation in Vermilion, Calcasieu, Cameron and the southern part of Jeff Davis parishes. It’s been so dry.”The rains recorded since September 2008 totaled only 7.5 inches — down from the typical 25 to 30 inches, according to the release. ——Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]