Memphis, Tennessee, USA
October 2, 2009

Source: Horizon Ag LLC

Louisiana

Johnny Hensgens, who farms in Iowa, LA, planted 2.4 acres of CL111 in a field with XL745 hybrid rice for a comparison. He drill-planted CL111 at 45 pounds per acre and did not apply a fungicide. Good early growing conditions turned wet late in the summer prior to harvest.

“We normally put a fungicide on CLEARFIELD®rice varieties but I wanted this to be a true test against hybrids and we do not apply fungicides to hybrid rice,” Hensgens said. “We did experience some sheath blight pressure on the CL111, but that can be controlled with the use of a fungicide.”

CL111 was planted the same day as XL745 but was ready to harvest 10 days earlier. The first harvest of CL111 was done on August 4. Hensgens cut 57.8 bbls/acre (208 bu/acre) with CL111 compared to 53.5 bbls/acre (192.6 bu/acre) with XL745. The milling yield on CL111 was 63/68. He expects to harvest a ratoon crop on CL111 in mid-October.

“The yield on CL111 was excellent and the early maturity is a benefit because it allows you to harvest it earlier than other varieties –you can also use it to stager harvest by planting CL111 and a later-maturing variety,” he said. “I would recommend other farmers try this variety in 2010. I plan to plant a couple of hundred acres to it next season.”

Hensgens also planted CL151 this year. It cut 52 bbls/acre (187.2 bu/acre) and had an outstanding milling yield of 66/71. He applied a fungicide to CL151 and experienced no disease pressure. “This variety also has a fit on my farm,” he said. “I will plant it early and put a fungicide on it because we can have issues with disease pressure here.”

Missouri

At Tanner Seed Farm in Bernie, MO, Zack Tanner reports outstanding yield results with CL151, including a high yield average of 250 bu/acre (69.4 bbls/acre).

“We’re seeing lots of consistency in yield,” he said. “Our average over several hundred acres was more than 218.7 dry bu/acre (60.7 bbls/acre). One field cut a total of 249.8 dry bu/acre (69.3 bbls/acre) dry. We had similar experiences with CL151 last season, too. It can be moderately susceptible to blast, but it seems to offer better sheath blight resistance than other varieties. I think this may be a very popular variety in our region next year. Every farmer I’ve talked to has been pleased with CL151.”

Tanner also grew CL111 in a low-seeded seed production field this season. The initial characteristic that stands out is its early maturity. Tanner said CL111 will allow him to plant in early April and harvest by end of August, which is very attractive to farmers in his area.
“The sooner I can get my rice out of the ground the better because I am reducing my water usage, getting started on field preparation work for next season earlier and hopefully beating the rush to the elevators,” he said. “CL111 is showing great agronomic characteristics and outstanding yield and milling potential. I think it can yield close to CL151 and deliver excellent milling and grain quality.”

Arkansas

Lance Schmidt, Horizon Area Sales Manager, reports excellent yields coming out of North Arkansas. “We’re hearing great reports on CL151 in areas historically planted to hybrids” he said. “Blast issues have been minimal and growers say that managing the variety has been fairly easy for the most part. Yields have been reported between 186 and 209 bu/acre (51.6 and 58 bbls.acre) consistently. We finally have a variety that has the yield potential of anything on the market and growers are actively booking seed for 2010.”

Growers in South Arkansas continue with harvest activities and there are many reports of lodging due to weather issues.

“This is being seen across the board with all rice, and some growers are frustrated with cutting down rice,” says Schmidt. “While we are seeing some lodging in the CLEARFIELD® varieties, yields continue to be very good and growers are making excellent progress in getting the crop out. CL131 continues to stand during some very tough weather and yield reports continue to come in with a very respectable range between 172 to 187 bu/acres (47.7 to 51.9 bbls/acre). This variety should definitely be considered in the mix to counter against harvest issues as it resists lodging and rarely goes down. The recent change in the weather and favorable harvest conditions has really turned things around and we’re very thankful to get back in the field.”

Website: http://www.horizonseed.com

Published: October 2, 2009