HORIZON AG REGIONAL REPORTS

Thanks for Another Great Turnout at the 2026 Arkansas Field Day

North Central Arkansas

Thank you to all the growers, researchers and industry partners from across the South who joined us for another great field day this year. It was great to catch up on crop conditions, hear the latest on our breeding pipeline and have real conversations about where this industry is headed. Thanks to Peter Bachmann with USA Rice and to crop consultant Hank Chaney for taking the time to speak and share their perspective with the group. We also appreciate Anheuser-Busch for their refreshments and partnership, Eli and Adam for the music and International Rice Festival Queen Ansley Dawson for joining us. And of course, a big thanks to all at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg for allowing us to continue having the event in your beautiful space.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all.

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Arkansas Field Day: New Varieties and Market Momentum

Dr. Maria Montiel gave an update on the breeding pipeline, highlighting strong early performance from PVL06, CLL20, CLL21 and the new Jasmine variety, PVJ01.

President and CEO of USA Rice Peter Bachmann shared USA Rice’s push behind U.S.-grown Jasmine, including record acreage, growing retail demand from chains like Walmart and Kroger, a new aromatic-specific crop insurance option and an active tariff push on imports. Consultant Hank Chaney also spoke to the benefits and growing importance of stewardship within the Provisia system, urging rotation and resistance testing to protect the technology growers depend on.

Horizon Ag CEO Dr. Tim Walker closed the night by thanking the University of Arkansas, the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center and everyone who chose to spend their evening with Horizon Ag. He talked about what these communities mean to the company, pointing out that a strong rice economy ripples well beyond the farm, showing up in local restaurants, schools and churches. He also expressed how earning growers’ trust, acre by acre and season after season, is something Horizon Ag never takes for granted.

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Rice Leadership Development Program: Applications Open

USA Rice is accepting applications for the 2026 Rice Leadership Development Program, a two-year course built around four weeklong sessions on rice production, industry operations and leadership skills. Each class includes four rice producers and three professionals from rice-industry-related fields. Applications are open through September 4, 2026.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY »

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