REGIONAL CROP REPORT

Harvest Finishing in Deep South, Gaining Momentum in North Delta

August 22, 2024

South Louisiana

I estimate that the South Louisiana harvest is 80% complete, with the majority of the remaining acres located in the northern part of the region. Harvesting began the first week of July and really picked up the following week. Unfortunately, a wet weather pattern set in for about the next 10 days, and that, basically, put a stop to harvesting until the week of July 29. Harvest has progressed without any major stoppage since.

Early yields from the fields harvested before the rain were very good, but yields began to significantly drop by the week of Aug. 4. Disease pressure blew up after the wet period in July and I believe that this is the main culprit for the yield drop. Many of these fields had fungicide applied to them, and some of them actually had two applications.

Quality has been average to slightly above average but I expect that to drop as well with some of the later harvested rice. PVL03 and CLL19 have shown to have some of the best milling this year so far, from reports that I have received.

On a positive note, the ratoon crop appears to be doing well. The crop from the first harvested rice got off to a good start and looks promising. I am even encouraged by some of the first fields that were cut after the rain. Even though the fields were cut up with ruts, the second crop still looks good in those fields.

Corey Conner District Field Representative (337) 249-9523

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North Central Arkansas

Harvest is kicking off in the upper Delta region. There have been a few farmers who have already started cutting but the bulk of the upper Delta should get harvest started by the end of this week.

My counterpart in the Grand Prairie, William Hutchens, commented that had it not been for a recent rain event, the Prairie region would be wide open in rice harvest, but it appears it will be the middle of the week before they get started.

Harvesting in the middle of August is still early for rice in the upper Delta, as we normally do not get started until September. The extended forecast shows little to no chance of rain which should allow for a pretty smooth start to harvest. Any rice we can harvest in August due to an exceptional forecast will be a bonus for rice growers.

There have been a few yield reports trickling in but nothing substantial at this point. The yield reports I have heard on CLL18 and CLL19 have been very good, averaging above the 180 bu/acre mark.

Truck lines are starting to appear lengthier and there are trucks parked overnight at a few grain facilities throughout Arkansas. While most of the rice is drained and ready for harvest, there is a small portion of the crop just starting to flower and set seed. By the end of this week, though, approximately 85% of the rice will have been drained. Even the later planted rice is going to be drained within the next 10 days.

In the last week, we have seen a rise in stink bug pressure on rice. We should have the majority of the acres matured, which will mitigate the risk of damage or yield reduction. However, some of the later fields have needed treatment against rice stink bugs.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank all of our growers and industry personnel for coming out to the 2024 Horizon Ag field day at the new University of Arkansas NERREC station. The crowd was fantastic with over 130 people at the event, and there was a wonderful lineup of speakers from growers, university personnel, and members of Horizon’s staff who provided valuable insights on variety selection to crop performance we are seeing in the field. Thank you all so much because, without you, there is no Horizon Ag. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to a safe and bountiful harvest. God Bless all of you.

Chase Kagen District Field Representative (870) 273-9283

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Horizon Ag Arkansas Field Day

It was great seeing the large crowd that turned out for the 2024 Horizon Ag Arkansas Field Day at the new University of Arkansas Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg. Horizon Ag varieties were planted on a lot of acres in this region in 2024 and, overall, reports are promising for top varieties like CLL18, CLL19 and CLL16.

“CLL18 is one of the varieties that really stands out, as far as inbred varieties for row rice,” said Missouri rice specialist Justin Chlapecka. “It looks pretty good in our research and in the field. CLL16 was our predominant Clearfield variety for row rice but we have a lot more CLL18 out there this year. It is a very pretty variety and has looked good on our rows. I think it will yield decent.”

“We saw an acreage increase in CLL18 this year,” said Arkansas rice specialist Jarrod Hardke. “It has looked very, very good in the field. We’re waiting to get yield reports, but it seems to be going the way we expected, with a higher yield potential compared to CLL16. CLL16 has looked good as well. It’s a standard, a solid performer, with broader spectrum blast resistance than CLL18. As for CLL19, I’m probably as excited about it as CLL18. Even up here, it’s giving us what looks to be an extremely competitive yield potential.”

Prairie County farmer Darren Walker said that although CLL16 was his top performer in 2021 and 2022, CLL18 became “the new king” in its first season of availability last year, yielding 208 bushels per acre over 132 acres. With his harvest rapidly approaching this season, Walker is looking forward to seeing the performance of both CLL18 and CLL16 again, as well as CLL19. “We’re trying CLL19 this year and like what we are seeing,” he said. “It looks the part. I like its (semi-dwarf) stature. It has a big, showy head. Time will tell. It has its work cut out for it if it is going to surpass CLL18.”

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