HORIZON AG REGIONAL REPORTS

Slow But Steady Harvest Progress in Arkansas & Missouri, Strong Early Yields in Mississippi & North Louisiana

Northeast Arkansas and Missouri

Harvest progress is running behind compared to recent years in Northeast Arkansas. The rice that has been harvested so far — mainly mid-to-late March plantings — is coming in at average yields, which is expected given this year’s challenges with fertilization, delayed flooding and herbicide issues.

The weather system that moved through Arkansas on August 27–28 slowed harvest in the southeast and central parts of the state. However, the northeast has a favorable window (August 30–September 8) for significant progress, with only one day of showers in the 10-day forecast. Harvest is currently estimated at roughly 50% complete in the southeast, 15% in central regions, and 5% in the northeast.

We have not yet received enough information to determine how milling yields are faring. The initial thought is that anything will be an improvement over last year, but it’s important to remember that the earlier planted rice endured a very hot, dry period during critical heading stages. Another factor is that much of last year’s crop is still sitting in grain bins across both northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Territory. Fortunately, the Lord has blessed us with much cooler temperatures for the later planted rice, which should improve grain quality across the board.

The Missouri Territory has seen very little harvest progress thus far. Samples were taken from fields in Dunklin and Pemiscot counties (the southernmost border touching Arkansas). Harvest there is expected to kick into gear by the end of the first week of September, which is historically on track for Missouri rice country.

Caught by surprise, Missouri faced a challenge late in the season with higher billbug pressure in row rice acres. The best protection starts at planting with the use of insecticide seed treatments such as Fortenza or Dermacor. Foliar insecticide applications are ineffective because they fail to penetrate the canopy, and billbugs have five larval instars—five separate emergence timings that are difficult to control. I bring this up because the Missouri Territory often omits insecticide seed treatments. While this may be feasible in flooded environments, including them in row rice acres provides the best protection against billbugs.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who attended the Arkansas Horizon Ag Field Day at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Your unwavering support encourages all of us to strive for excellence in the rice industry. Please feel free to contact me as we patiently await harvest results.

Robyn Chlapecka
District Field Representative
rchlapecka@horizonseed.com
(870) 672-1291

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Mississippi and North Louisiana

Harvest is well underway in Mississippi, with the earliest rice cut during the first week of August. Activity has really ramped up over the past two weeks, with just about everyone getting into the field. Weather has mostly cooperated — hot, dry conditions with a steady north wind — followed by cooler temperatures this past week, and another mild week is forecasted as we move into September. A few late-August showers kept growers out of the field briefly, but progress quickly resumed. At this point, all rice is headed and drained except for some later plantings, and we’re roughly 30% harvested.

Early yield reports are encouraging:

• CLL19 has been very consistent, averaging 185–195 bu/A across multiple farms.
• CLL18 continues to lead the pack, with some farms cutting over 200 bu/A.

North Louisiana is seeing a similar harvest pace, though they’ve had a few more rain interruptions. Harvest reports indicate:

• CLL19 averaging 175–180 bu/A.
• CLM04 (the most popular variety there) averaging 180–190 bu/A, with some farms hitting 200 bu/A.
• CLM05, our new medium grain launched this year, looks promising. Early row rice data shows it averaging around 180 bu/A.

As harvest picks up speed, let’s be sure to thresh at the optimum moisture to maximize milling yields. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me.

Garland Melton
District Field Representative
gmelton@horizonseed.com
(662) 671-2465

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