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New Horizon Ag Clearfield rice varieties show exciting improvements


July 24, 2014

Two exciting new Horizon Ag Clearfield rice varieties coming soon for commercial planting will combine improved quality with higher yield potential. They will be introduced with solid production recommendations, thanks to efforts by university researchers such as Dr. Dustin Harrell of the LSU AgCenter, whom we visited with recently.

CLX1102 is a release from the University of Arkansas that holds great promise. Unlike, many varieties that stem from Dr. Karen Moldenhauer’s program, this is a semi-dwarf variety that tillers very well. Based on observations, it appears the optimum seeding rate for this line will be similar to other semi-dwarf varieties like CL111 and CL151.

CLX1102 contains the Pita gene that confers resistance to several prominent races of blast. The resistance was evident in its excellent yield performance at the Rice Research Station in Crowley in 2012 while record high natural blast infestation was present. Another plus with this variety is the grain quality. This new line has a bold, translucent grain. In small plot trials, CLX1102 has performed very well relative to CL151. Large block yield trials have been planted this year and we anxiously await harvest results.

CLX4122 is a high-yielding, semi-dwarf line from Mississippi State University. This line is distinct from other lines in that it has extra high amylose content. In addition to having a fit in the domestic parboil use, it also comes closer to the cooked rice texture preferred by many Central Americans.

University rice agronomists like Dr. Harrell routinely conduct these valuable trials throughout the South. I will be viewing similar trials in Arkansas and Mississippi in the coming weeks. Both CLX1102 and CLX4122, which are in seed increase this season, represent the commitment Horizon Ag has to preserving and improving the brand of U.S.-grown rice by addressing some of the quality concerns the industry has been faced with in recent years. Our hats are off to the breeding community for focusing their efforts on developing better-quality rice in high-yielding varieties with excellent disease packages.

If you'd like to get a look at these new varieties there are several opportunities. The Horizon Ag field day will be held on August 8 at Mark Wimpy Farms near Jonesboro, AR. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. Visit www.horizonseed.com for more information and to RSVP.  Those who RSVP will be eligible for a grand prize drawing.  

The new varieties are also showcased at two other Arkansas locations. One location is near Dumas, AR and the other is between Corning and Piggott. If you are interested in looking at these plots give me a call.
Sunny Bottoms
Technical Services Manager
(225) 241-5526


Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri

The rice crop in MS/AR/MO is progressing very well. Rice is starting to head in areas of Arkansas and Mississippi, and a substantial amount should start heading over the next two weeks in all three states. Growers have been making preventative fungicide applications on all varieties and hybrids and that will continue over the next several weeks. Considering all that this crop has been through, it looks pretty good overall. Warmer temperatures in the forecast will help move the rice crop along.

Leaf blast has shown up in a few areas in Arkansas and Missouri, but nothing too alarming so far. If you find leaf blast, keeping a deeper flood can help keep the disease fairly inactive until it's time to make a fungicide application. We have been keeping an eye on a field leaf blast was found in over three weeks ago. Keeping a deep flood on that field has resulted in no new lesions.

Garrett Williams
Sales Manager, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri
(573) 820-5506


Texas and Louisiana

The Texas crop is running a little late, even a little later than last year. There will be a few fields drained this week and a small amount of harvest that will start next week. The late crop has a few folks worried that this will not be a bumper crop. It looks very good, however, and will be comparable to last year's crop.

We have heard of a few reports of blast in Texas, with one of those reports being neck blast. Most of the rice west of Houston should be far enough advanced to know if there would be  more neck blast. There has been a report of leaf blast on medium grain east of Houston and it may be a little bit longer before we know if there will be any neck blast or not. Farmers have had to treat for stink bugs on some of the earlier rice and as grain sorghum harvest progresses the later rice will definitely have to be treated.

Harvest is getting very close in south Louisiana and it is extremely wet. Pretty much the entire state of Louisiana received rain last Friday with some places south of I-10 receiving as much as 12 inches. There will be some fields ready to harvest this week, but due to the current wet conditions It may be next week before we see any harvest get started. Ratoon cropping is a big part of our farming in the south and most farmers will delay harvest as much as they can to avoid rutting fields.

The crop looks pretty good down south and we really haven't had any major problems, other than the rain, to speak of. I have heard of a few reports of blast but nothing that appears to be of major concern and the sheath blight pressure has been about what we would expect every year. I am hoping that we have a high yielding crop with good quality and with all the CL111 planted in the south we have a good chance of achieving that.

The north Louisiana crop is later than normal and just like many places in the north the crop has a good bit of  grass in it. Farmers had a very difficult time getting herbicides out this year because of the weather and it has allowed many weeds to come through the crop. For the most part the crop looks pretty good and hopefully famers can get it cleaned up. There are some fields that are starting to head and a few more where fungicide applications are being made. It appears farmers have finally gotten the army worms under control. This has been the worst army worm year that I can remember.

Just like a lot of places, the northern part of the state has been very wet. Hopefully this will not continue as rice begins to pollinate.

Michael Fruge
Sales Manager, Texas and Louisiana
(832) 260-6193



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Website: http://www.horizonseed.com

Published: July 24, 2014


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