HORIZON AG NEWS

Upper Delta Growers Battling Through Adversity

As harvest season winds down, it’s clear that 2025 will be remembered as one of the most challenging years for rice growers in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas. From an optimistic start in March to a roller coaster of weather events, the season has tested grower’s resilience, adaptability, and determination.

A Season of Extremes

The year began with promise. Early planting windows had growers optimistic about the potential for a strong crop. But heavy rains soon arrived, slowing progress and making it difficult to get fields established. Those same conditions carried into fertilizer and herbicide applications, forcing farmers to adjust and work around delays.

Later in the season, just as fields entered critical growth stages, new challenges emerged. Rains during pollination, paired with unusually high nighttime temperatures, created stress on the crop. Typically, yield reductions occur near field inlets where cold water enters—but this year, the opposite occurred. In many cases, fields closest to water sources actually performed better, as the cooling effect created a more favorable microclimate during grain fill.

Resilience Through Challenge

While the year has been anything but easy, it has also underscored the resilience and ingenuity of growers. Many did everything right in terms of management—timely applications, proactive fieldwork, and responsive adjustments—yet still faced unpredictable setbacks. These challenges highlight not only the realities of farming but also the determination it takes to keep moving forward.

Encouragingly, some varieties are showing strong performance despite the adversity. Reports from the field suggest that certain Clearfield® varieties are delivering solid yields, giving growers reason for optimism. And while final harvest results are still coming in, there are indications that parts of the region may achieve average or even slightly above-average yields.

Looking Ahead with Optimism

Though 2025 will be remembered as a historic “prevent plant” year for some regions, it’s also a story of perseverance. Growers have faced setbacks from every angle—flooding, heat, delayed applications—but continue to rise to the occasion. Their commitment, combined with innovative management practices and the adaptability of proven rice varieties, provides valuable lessons for the future.

As we gather more harvest results, the conversations may be difficult at times, but they are also hopeful. This season reinforces the importance of supporting one another, sharing insights, and learning from both challenges and successes.

At Horizon Ag, we recognize the effort it has taken to reach this point in the season. We remain committed to walking alongside growers, offering the tools, knowledge, and varieties that help manage risk and maximize opportunity—even in a year like this one.

Thank you for your dedication, perseverance, and partnership. 2025 is a year we’ll all talk about for years to come—not only for the challenges it brought but for the strength and resilience rice growers showed in meeting them. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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

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There’s An App For That!

The Horizon Ag Productivity app provides easy access to critical management recommendations and tools, including seeding rates, fertilizer recommendations and other suggested management practices to help you get the most out of our varieties. Updated for 2025, the app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.

Whether you are a long-time Horizon Ag customer or growing our Clearfield and Provisia varieties for the first time, the Horizon Ag Productivity App can be a valuable tool. Available in the App Store or Google Play.

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