REGIONAL CROP REPORT

Harvest underway in the Coastal Region, fungicide applications going out in North Delta

SOUTH LOUISIANA AND TEXAS 

Harvest has begun in South Louisiana and the Western Texas Rice Belt. Yield reports so far have been very good across all varieties, and milling has been higher than the numbers we saw last year. 

CL153 yields in Texas have been consistently in the mid to upper 50s (barrels) range. The one field of PVL03 that I know of in Texas made the upper 40s (barrels) in yield. The production field of CLL19 in Texas brought in yields in the lower 60s (barrels). I have not heard of any milling yields as of yet from Texas.

In Louisiana, yield reports for PVL03 have ranged from the lower 40s to the lower 50s (barrels), but the majority of the yields are reported to be in the upper 40s (barrels). CL111 is also yielding strong, with fields in the lower 50s. Limited milling data is available now, but the first reports I have heard show both PVL03 and CL111 milling very well. As harvest ramps up this week, I hope that we continue to have the favorable harvest conditions that we have had so far this year. 

PVL03 is also showing quick regrowth after harvest. Wetting the field soon after harvest is important, but don’t hold a deep flood.

If you would like me to look at something or have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Corey Conner
District Field Representative
337-249-9523

MISSISSIPPI AND NORTH LOUISIANA

Rice in my territory continues to progress. Some draining is likely to begin next week and with the forecasted return to hotter days with little to no rainfall, the crop should continue to develop rapidly. As one farmer put it, “the crop looks scary good at this stage.” The last two weeks of weather were conducive for sheath blight development. Hopefully, fungicides were applied at the appropriate rates and timings to protect the upper canopy. Kernel smut is also a disease that has to be protected against by using propiconazole before rice heading.

The Clearfield® Rice Production System has been used on some farms here for over 20 years. There’s no question the effectiveness against weedy rice/red rice is not what it once was. At this time of the season, we suggest surveying farms and paying special attention to fields that have higher concentrations of weedy rice. These are candidate fields/farms to begin introducing the newer Provisia® Rice System in the next cycle of rice production.

We wish you the best for a strong finish to what has been an impressive-looking crop thus far. Let me know how I can help.

Dr. Tim Walker
General Manager
901-590-9564

GRAND PRAIRIE AND SOUTH ARKANSAS

The crop has been moving right along in my territory, with rice mostly in late reproductive stages. I am starting to see more and more rice heading every day. I do know of some rice that has been drained and I expect to see some more rice draining in the next couple of weeks. 

The fields of CLL18 that I have been watching have looked very good all year. The variety has kept a very healthy, deep green color and has exhibited good, conventional height. Standability has been notable to this point, and it has tillered very well. Most of the CLL18 in my area is in the late boot stage and should be heading soon. I am excited to see how this potentially very high-yielding variety performs in the territory.

If I can be of any help, please let me know.

William “Hutch” Hutchens
District Field Representative
870-273-9291

NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Most of my area has received significant rainfall in the last 10 days – much of which was welcomed on our customers’ alternative crops. With the majority of our rice in the late boot to heading stage, the cooler days coupled with overcast and rainy weather have led to an enormous amount of sheath blight pressure. 

I have had several calls concerning disease ratings of the Clearfield varieties and fungicide recommendations. One recommendation I have given is to add an additional amount of propiconazole for kernel smut and Cercospora protection. As always, please refer to the Horizon Ag mobile app for agronomic information on disease ratings of our products, or feel free to continue reaching out with any questions or concerns you may have.

Chase Kagen
District Field Representative
870-273-9283

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI BOOTHEEL

The month of July has flown by, and the crop is moving right along with it. There is a lot of rice heading or beginning to head at this point. It is weird to say, but thankfully we appear to have a drier forecast to wrap up July. It seems like we have received more rain than usual and, combined with high temperatures and humidity, it created a perfect environment for sheath blight. There were reports across the board in fields throughout my territory over the past couple of weeks, but growers and consultants have managed things really well. Keep up the good work and let’s finish this crop out strong. 

PVL04 seed production is looking good. This will be the first University of Arkansas Provisia variety to be released. This variety has excellent milling and grain length. It also has good standability and blast resistance. With the potential yield increase for this variety, it will continue to improve the Provisia lineup. Please reach out to me if I can help in any way or if you would like to go look at any rice variety.

Jason Satterfield
District Field Representative
901-347-9715