REGIONAL CROP REPORT

Updates From Across the Southern Rice Production Region

SOUTH LOUISIANA AND TEXAS 

Cooler temperatures and cloudy weather have slowed crop development in south Louisiana and Texas. Some fields have gone to permanent flood in both areas, but many fields are still not quite there, even though they have been planted for six weeks.

Planting in south Louisiana is around 85% to 90% percent complete. The majority of the rest of the acres planted will trickle in through the end of May. In Texas, I estimate 80% or so of the crop is planted. In the western Rice Belt, planting is pretty much done, and the remaining acres will be planted in the eastern region.

Let’s hope for warmer and more humid conditions to push the rice along to permanent 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

2023 Horizon Ag Louisiana Field Day

Please mark your calendars for the 2023 Horizon Ag
Louisiana Field Day on June 27.

It will be held on Christian Richard’s farm near
Kaplan beginning at 5:00 p.m.

MISSISSIPPI AND NORTH LOUISIANA

Some reading this may not know that Tim Jett began a new job in the agriculture finance industry in February. Until further notice, I’ll be covering sales and technical calls in Mississippi and North Louisiana.

Rice planting began in late March in Mississippi, but compared to rice production areas to the South and North, Mississippi and North Louisiana have been the most behind. However, compared to recent years, planting progress has been very good. Fields began to dry after the Easter rain event, and most farmers were back planting by April 14 in my territory. The forecasted rain event for this past weekend didn’t materialize in a lot of the area, and excellent planting progress has been made.

I have spoken with many who have completed or are nearing completion of rice planting. A forecasted rain event this Friday will help activate pre’s and push some of the older planted rice along. We just need warmer weather. Each rain event has been accompanied by a cold front that returned nighttime temperatures into the 40s and 50s. If you are wearing a sweatshirt or jacket in the morning, rice isn’t growing much.

It looks like rice acres will be up as much as 20% in my territory. With 30- to 40-year rice acreage lows in 2022, that increase is much welcomed. I’m more than happy to answer questions or help walk you through any production issues you have. As I’ve always said, if I can’t help you, there’s a good chance I know someone who can. Best of luck to all with the 2023 crop!  

Dr. Tim Walker
General Manager
901-590-9564

GRAND PRAIRIE AND SOUTH ARKANSAS

The weather this spring has given us the best planting start we have had in several years, and planting has been going full force. All crops are being seeded right now, which could give us some problems when herbicide application time approaches in the next couple of weeks. I think rice is around 60% planted in the territory, and we have maybe 10% emergence. Pre-emerge herbicides have been going out, and we will need the rain that is forecasted on Thursday for activation. Parts of the territory received rain over the weekend, but there are areas that missed it and need some moisture for activation. A few areas were getting dry enough that I was told last week that some might have to stop planting to wait for moisture. 

I have had several questions about the planting rate for different varieties. I advise that 60-65 lbs./acre of treated seed will be a good rate for most varieties, but we are looking for 12-15 plants/sq. ft. going into flood for our best opportunity at optimum yield. Please adjust your planting rates accordingly to reach that final plant stand, depending on seed bed prep and soil type. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call. I will help in any way I can.

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

NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Planting has been fast and furious in my territory, with little to no slow down. This April has been a stark contrast to last year. The little rainfall we have received has soaked in quickly, resulting in minimal down time. 

We are approximately 70-75% planted in my territory compared to about 5% in 2022. The forecast shows much-needed rain toward the end of this week. By the end of the week, a large portion of the rice acres in my territory will need rain to activate some of the pre-emerge residuals we have applied. 

For references to seeding rates and all other recommendations, please download the Horizon Ag Productivity App from the App Store or Google Play. 

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for your continued support of Horizon Ag.

Chase Kagen
District Field Representative
870-273-9283

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI BOOTHEEL

This has been one of the most “normal” springs I can remember in recent years. Thanks to all the field work accomplished last fall, growers were well prepared to get a good start. The earliest rice I know of was planted on March 29 in Missouri, although it was not very much. However, last week (April 10-April 15), a lot of rice went into the ground. After a good run this week, I think we could be around 50% or more planted in my territory. 

Planting has been fast and furious in my territory, with little to no slow down. This April has been a stark contrast to last year. The little rainfall we have received has soaked in quickly, resulting in minimal down time. 

To cap off last week, we received a much-needed 0.5 to 0.75 inches of rain Saturday night (April 15). Growers were already back in the field on Monday and running wide open again on Tuesday. As I’m writing this, we are forecasted to get anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of rain Thursday night into Friday, and this will be welcomed. I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything has progressed up to this point. 

I’m excited to see us getting so much rice planted in April, as this will definitely help maximize the potential of all our Horizon Ag Clearfield® and Provisia® varieties. The new CLL18 variety is spread out across my territory, and I look forward to seeing it perform. CLL16 is again being planted on a bunch of acres in both northeast Arkansas and Missouri as it has continued to prove itself over the past couple of years. Feel free to give me a call if you need anything or have any questions.  

Jason Satterfield
District Field Representative
901-347-9715

Download the Horizon Ag Productivity App

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 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.

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

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