HORIZON AG NEWS

Rice Outlook Conference, Grain Quality and 2023 Offers and Tools

Come See Us in Texas!

With the Rice Outlook Conference in Austin, Texas, less than a week away, we hope you’ll make plans to stop by the Horizon Ag booth (#16) at the tradeshow and meet our team there.

We’ll have the latest from the Provisia Working Group on Best Management Practices for PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System. We’ll also have the latest information about elite Clearfield® varieties like CLL16, which will be in high demand next season, especially since it has shown it is broadly adapted to perform across the southern rice region, from the Missouri Bootheel to the rice production areas west of Houston, Texas.

Other varieties of particular interest include CLL17, an early maturing variety from Louisiana that offers outstanding potential when it is planted early in the planting window and nitrogen recommendations are followed; and new CLL18, a high-yielding Arkansas-bred variety that will have a very limited launch in 2023.

We’ll also have information on proven Horizon Ag varieties like CL111, CL151, CLHA02 and CLJ01, which have won a place on many farms in the South because of their performance potential year after year. Over the seasons, farmers have learned how to manage these reliable lines and have confidence in their ability to achieve consistent results and return on their investment.

Rice Quality Symposium

While Horizon Ag is at the Rice Outlook Conference, we’re looking forward to showing off the desirable grain characteristics of our varieties PVL03 and CLHA02 to rice buyers from key markets for our crop. 

We’ll be cooking these varieties, alongside ones from rice breeding partner Louisiana State University, to showcase the attention we’re placing on offering the quality of rice desired by important Latin American markets — long grain rice that meets their expected parameters for grain appearance and final cooked texture.

Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, participated in the recent International Rice Leadership Development Trip to Costa Rica and Panama and came away with a renewed commitment to championing what it will take for the southern United States to again become the preferred provider of quality rice to these markets.

“Maintaining rice acres in the USA is important, so we can’t continue to turn a blind eye to the concerns of our customers,” says Dr. Walker. “I’ve been fortunate to be part of many efforts to understand the problems and offer parts of the solution. Continuing down the same path that we’ve been on for the last 10 to 15 years hoping that something will change is costing our industry from the standpoint of long-term viability. I long to see the day when we’ve answered the call as an industry and implemented practices and procedures to return the USA to its status of providing the Western Hemisphere and other parts of the world with an abundant, safe supply of rice that is desired by existing and new customers.”

If you are coming to Austin, please stop by and visit with us!

Get 0% APR Financing

With rising interest rates casting an ominous shadow over borrowing costs, Southern rice growers can take advantage of 0% APR1,2 financing for their Horizon Ag rice seed and BASF crop protection purchases through partnerships with either John Deere Financial or Rabo AgriFinance for the 2023 crop. 

“These are the times, when interest rates and other costs are on the rise, that taking advantage of 0% financing can give farmers a significant edge when it comes to managing their finances and cash flow,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “For years, Horizon Ag has worked with BASF to bring new technologies to market that give rice farmers more options, flexibility and opportunities to improve profitability. This season, we are again excited to work with both leading ag financing partners to provide options to help our customers be more successful.”

Both programs are available through September 30, 2023, with a maturity date of December 31, 2023. Contact your BASF Authorized Retailer or Horizon Ag Authorized Retailer for more information about these special offers.

Horizon Ag Productivity App Available

Horizon Ag has created a mobile app that will be a valuable resource for rice farmers as you begin planning for variety selection and planting. 

The Horizon Ag Productivity App provides easy access to seeding rate information, a drill calibration tool, a calculator and other decision-making features for 2023 Horizon Ag Clearfield and Provisia varieties. 

This app also makes it easy to connect with retailers in your area who sell top-performing Horizon Ag varieties like CLL16, CLL17 and PVL03.

The app is available by searching “Horizon Ag” in the App Store or Google Play.

If you have any questions about Horizon Ag varieties, please contact your Horizon Ag District Field Representative or rice seed retailer. Additional information for elite Clearfield and Provisia varieties is available at HorizonSeed.com.