Rice Farming December 2021

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ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

INSIDE : 2021 RICE AWARD WINNERS

Arkansas family grows, markets specialty sake rices

A new frontier Enhanced-nutrition rice gains traction

DECEMBER 2021

2022 Rice Seed Guide

The rice cropping solution you’ve been waiting for is here.

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Rice Cropping Solution

MAX-ACE field near Crowley, Louisiana

Now you can get superior genetics with seamless weed control. Farmers have trusted our superior genetics season after season, and now there’s a new ace up our sleeve – the MAX-ACE®* Rice Cropping Solution. By adding MAX-ACE® into your seasonal rotation, you’ll get more than just

the strongest weed control available with Highcard herbicide. You’ll also benefit from increased crop safety, rotational flexibility and high potential for yield.** Call your local RiceTec representative at 877.580.7423. Learn more at RiceTec.com/MAXACE. TM

*MAX-ACE seed will be available for purchase late 2021 or early 2022. **This is not a guarantee of performance nor a warranty of fitness for a particular use. Highcard is a trademark of ADAMA.

March 20182021 December

COLUMNS

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Vol. Vol. 52, 56, No. No. 41

COVER STORY

4 From the Editor

Rice's long ‘Ministry ofhistory Silly Walks’ bucks 'what's hot in food' trends presides in California

6 Guest USA Rice Column Update

We need Rice and sustainability fair trade and action

Charting a new frontier

8

Here to stay?

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D P A RRice T M Update ENTS 8 EUSA

Rice industry sets priorities 7for the Industry News next Farm Bill Rice business scene

D P A R T M ESpeaking NTS 25 ESpecialists Greetings fromNews the Bootheel 19 Industry Rice business scene

ON THE COVER: Eunice, Louisiana, 20 Specialist grower Michael FrugeSpeaking has seen an uptick inherbicide demand for mistakes his higher-protein Early can low-glycemic plague yourice. all season long Photo by Vicky Boyd

ON THE COVER: Armyworms once again plagued California rice growers S UPPLEMENT in 2017.

The California rice industry prepares for what may become annual armyworm infestations.

LSU-bred higher-protein, low-glycemic rice variety gains traction.

F E AT U R E S

F TUR E Sand yang 9 E AThe yin 19

Photo by Luis Espino, University of California Cooperative Extension DECEMBER 2021

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

‘Dead man’s fingers’ Scientists work on taproot decline

Look Soybean Southe-newsletter supplement Sign upforforthethe monthly following page 24 in the the Arkansas, at ricefarming.com to have exclusive Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and industry news andofcontent delivered Texas versions Rice Farming . directly to your inbox.

16

17

The smell of success

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

2021

long grain.

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19 14 22 16

17

DSArkansas breeding CE AWARof RIUniversity 2021 Rice Awards } program releases new jasmine-type { to bring you the recipients and USA Rice are proud contributions Horizon Ag, Rice Farming three honorees for their The program highlights of the 2021 Rice Awards.

Rice Farmer of the Year, rice industry through the Award. to the success of the U.S. and the Rice Lifetime Achievement the Rice Industry Award

Stay up-to-date with the latest from Rice Farming.

Follow us on Twitter: @RiceFarming

Arkansas family markets projections cloudproduces, long-term outlook. specialty sake rices for growing craft sake industry.

rice-crawfish rotation in southwest View these easy-to-use charts to Louisiana. compare different proprietary varieties and hybrids available for the 2022 season in the tools Mid-South, New in theTexas tool and boxthe South.

Several new crop-protection products are available in time for this year’s rice season.

GET CONNECTED www.facebook.com/ ricefarming1

Shorter supplies have shorn up the

Kanpai! market, but increased 2018 planting

14 Floods aid expansion Giant invasive snail threatens the 22 2022 Seed Guide

Start planning for herbicide shortages

9

Farm & Gin

Horizon Ag, Rice Farming and USA Rice are proud to bring you the recipients of the 2021 Rice Awards. The program highlights three honorees for their contributions to the success of the U.S. rice industry the Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award and the Showthrough recap Rice Lifetime Achievement Award. Page 11

Tight world rice supplies mean any disruption could push markets higher.

18 DECEMBER MARCH 2018 2021

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RICE FARMING

3

From The

Editor

‘Ministry of Silly Walks’ presides in California In the 1970s, the British comedic group, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, used to perform the “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch where John Cleese strutted around in a satirical portrayal of bureaucratic inefficiency.

When the California Department of Pesticide Regulation recently began work on a statewide pesticide application notification system, Monty Python immediately came to mind. Gov. Gavin Newsom has made the system a top priority and has budgeted $10 million for development.

Although the scope and details are still being worked out, the department has said the network initially will focus on pesticides “more likely to Vicky Boyd move offsite or that have greater potential for Editor health impacts.”

CDPR already has held several focus group sessions and public webinars to seek additional input. It was during one of the focus groups that a state official let slip the network likely would be expanded to cover all crop protection materials.

Following public input, the department will develop a regulation that defines which products are covered and how, when and to whom notifications will be distributed. If all goes according to schedule, the state plans to launch the system in 2023.

Monterey County, California, already has a notification system, which environmentalists used to try to stop a recent fumigation. And many producers fear the same could happen in their counties once the statewide system is operational.

The proposed notification effort comes as California already has the strictest pesticide regulations in the nation. Before producers can apply restricted-use pesticides, they must complete annual training. Nearly all of the rice herbicides used in California are considered restricted use by the state.

Then producers must file a notice of intent, or NOI, with the county agricultural commissioner no more than 24 hours before application of a restricted-use material. Afterward, applicators must notify the ag commissioner within seven days of completion.

This is on top of statewide mandatory pesticide use reporting for all materials.

Each month, producers must report the products applied, rates, crops and locations to the ag commissioner. While some counties used to let slide tardy reports, ag commissioners have begun cracking down on late submissions.

For a product to even be registered in California, CDPR frequently requires additional testing and data submissions above those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. State registrations also cover household cleaning products that claim to kill human pathogens.

That led one California producer to wonder whether the notification system will eventually require him to alert his neighbors each time he plans to wipe down his kitchen counters.

Welcome to the Ministry of Silly Walks.

Vicky 4

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DECEMBER 2021

RiceFaRming EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Vicky Boyd 209-505-3612 vlboyd@onegrower.com Copy Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe akumpe@onegrower.com

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie 901-497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith 901-326-4443 csmith@onegrower.com Sales Manager Scott Emerson 386-462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Production Manager David Boyd dboyd@onegrower.com Audience Services Kate Thomas 847-559-7514 For subscription changes or change of address, call 847-559-7578 or email ricefarming@omeda.com

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC Mike Lamensdorf President/Treasurer Lia Guthrie Publisher/Vice President ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS — One Grower Publishing LLC also publishes COTTON FARMING, THE PEANUT GROWER, SOYBEAN SOUTH and CORN SOUTH magazines.

RICE FARMING (ISSN 0194-0929) is published monthly January through May, and December, by One Grower Publishing LLC, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tennesee, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OMEDA COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 1388, NORTHBROOK, IL 60065-1388. Annual subscriptions are $25.00.

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© Copyright 2021

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RICEFARMING.COM

CLL16 Continues To Impress With Excellent Performance Proven performance. Better profit potential. At a time when rice farmers are facing questions about crop prices and what to plant next season, those are two “must-have” benefits they need from the varieties they plant.

“It’s a rugged variety,” he says. “It stayed underwater for three to four days, and then it stressed for water. I can tell you there was no yield reduction. It’s very forgiving.”

CLL16 CLL16Continues Continues ToImpress ImpressWith With WithExcellent Excellent Performance Performance CLL16 Continues To ToImpress Excellent Performance It’s not a time for made-up promises or conjecture. It’s a time to rely on facts and proven results.

r Proven Provenperformance. performance.Better Betterprofit profitpotential. potential.At Ata time a timewhen whenricerice “It’s“It’s a rugged a rugged variety,” variety,” he he says. says.

“It “It stayed stayed underwater underwater forfor three three to to fourfour performance.

Better profit potential.

Atprices aandtime when rice “It’s a and rugged he says. underwater for d Proven In are are facing facing questions questions about about cropcrop prices and what what to Arkansas, to plant plant nextnext days, days, and then then it stressed itvariety,” stressed forfor water. water.

I can I “It can tellstayed tell youyou there there waswas no no yield yield the casefarmers offarmers farmer Darren Walker, who farms near DeValls Bluff, ® season, season, those those aresense. are twotwo “must-have” “must-have” benefits need need from from thethe varieties varieties reduction.

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three to four was no yield

season, those are two “must-have” benefits they need from the varieties reduction. It’s very forgiving.”

It’s notnot a time a time forfor made-up made-up promises promises conjecture. conjecture.

It’sIt’s time a time to rely to rely on on challengesIt’sduring the season, and will be onorhisor farm again ina 2022. they plant. facts facts andand proven proven results. results.

has made-up as much promises yield potential as any product on the market, It’s not a“CLL16 time for or Walker, conjecture.

It’s aDeValls time toBluff, rely on In the In the casecase of farmer of farmer Darren Darren Walker, whowho farms farms nearnear DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, Arkansas, including the hybrids,” says Walker. “If you’ve got the® lowest input goals ® variety CLL16 CLL16 waswas hishis it’s justjust good good common common sense. sense.

Horizon Horizon Ag Ag Clearfield Clearfieldvariety facts and proven it’s results. and the top-end potential, whysome would you not highest-yielding highest-yielding variety variety thethe lastyield last twotwo years, years, despite despite some environmental environmental plant CLL16?

Oneand thing I’llbe about Horizon Ag and In the case of farmer Darren Walker, who farms near DeValls Bluff, challenges challenges during during thethe season, season, and willwill be onsay on his his farm farm again again in 2022. inArkansas, 2022. ® is they never sacrificed their varieties over the years variety CLL16 his it’s just good common sense.

Horizon Ag Clearfield “CLL16 “CLL16has hasas asmuch muchyield yield potential potential as asanyany product product on onthewas themarket, market, quality.

But now, they have quality and quantity, and a highest-yielding including variety thethehybrids,” last two years, despite some environmental including the hybrids,” sayssays Walker.

Walker.

“If “If you’ve you’ve gotgot thethe lowest lowest input input goals goals low-endandand input position.

I wish somebody on you paper thethe top-end top-end yield potential, potential, why would would you notnot will be on hisyield farm again in why 2022. d challenges during the season, and could show me why you shouldn’t try CLL16.”

Darren Walker plant plant CLL16?

CLL16?

OneOne thing thing I’ll I’ll saysay about about Horizon Horizon Ag Ag andand l

Another Arkansas farmer, Jason McGee of Cherry Valley, was also impressed with CLL16’s performance this year. “I think CLL16 is a great fit for overall farm profitability,” he says. “We need the high yields. We need the grain quality. I think it fits well.”

Another Another Arkansas Arkansas farmer, farmer, Jason Jason McGee McGee of Cherry ofyields Cherry Valley, Valley, was also also impressed impressed Standability and are bigwas pluses he sees with withwith CLL16’s CLL16’s performance performance this this year. year.

“I think “I think CLL16 CLL16 is a is great a great fit fit for for overall overall CLL16, adding, “I didn’t have any lodging, and I was very as much yield potential as over anyovertheproduct on the market, their their varieties varieties the years years is they is they never never sacrificed sacrificed farm n “CLL16 has profitability,” profitability,” he he says. says.

“We“We need need thethe highhigh yields. yields.

WeWe need need thethe grain grain This past season, CLL16 yields ranged from almost 197 bushels to just over farm happy with the yields. We made 190 to 221 bushels dry quality. quality.

ButBut now, now, theythey have have quality andand quantity, quantity, andand a a quality. including201thebushels hybrids,” saysonWalker.

“If you’ve got thequality lowest input goals quality.

I think I think it fits it fits well.” well.” per acre Walker’s farms.

That included asomebody field where, “I’ve with CLL16 this season. I can give you examples where it low-end low-end input inputposition. position.

I wish I wish somebody on onpaper paper and the top-end yield why you not Another Arkansas h Standability Standability andyields yields arearebigofbigpluses plusesheValley, seeswith withalso impressed never gotten aWalker good because it’spotential, gotwhy what we callwould a buffalo farmer,andJason McGee Cherry was could could show show me me why youyou shouldn’t shouldn’t try try CLL16.”

CLL16.”wallow Darren Darren Walkerstand outperformed hybrids.

Overall, it’s hesees very competitive y CLL16, CLL16, adding, adding, “I didn’t “I didn’t have have any any lodging, lodging, and and I was I was very very plant CLL16?

One thing I’ll say about Horizon Ag and here in theThisGrand Prairie,” he says.

“The CLL16 came up197to197 abushels perfect stand. withMcGee CLL16’s performance this year.

“Imade think CLL16 is a dry great fit for overall withwith hybrids.”

This pastpast season, season, CLL16 CLL16 yields yields ranged ranged from from almost almost bushels to just to just overover Jason y happy happy with the the yields. yields.

We We made 190 190 to 221 to 221 bushels bushels dry I’ve been 201 farming that piece ofon property sinceThat andnever it’s the first time their varieties over the farms. years is2016, they sacrificed 201 bushels bushels per per acre acre on Walker’s Walker’s farms.

That included included a field a field where, where, “I’ve “I’ve farm he says.

“Weoverall need the high yields.

We t with CLL16 CLL16 this season. season.

I can I can give give youplanting you examples examples where where it itneed the grain He alsoprofitability,” likes howwith CLL16 fitsthis into his rice approach.

I got a stand there that held.” never never gotten gotten a good a good stand stand because because it’s it’s got got what what we we call call a buffalo a buffalo wallow wallow quality.

But now, they have quality and quantity, and a e hybrids.Overall, Overall,it’sit’sveryverycompetitive competitive quality. I thinkoutperformed itoutperformed fits well.”hybrids.

“It’sJason a McGee little laterwith maturing,” he says. “You can plant some of those other here here in the in the Grand Grand Prairie,” he he says. says.

“The “The CLL16 CLL16 came came up up to atoperfect a perfect stand. stand. Jason with hybrids.” hybrids.” low-end input position.

I wish on paper McGee “CLL16 has as Prairie,” much yield potential assomebody any product I’veI’ve been farming farming thatthat piece piece of property of property since since 2016, 2016, andand it’sit’s thethe firstfirst time time lines and get started Standability early. CLL16 is going to standare there wait forheyou and yields bigandpluses sees with oncould thebeen market, including the hybrids,” says Walker. show me why you shouldn’t try CLL16.”

Darren Walker He He alsoalso likeslikes howhow CLL16 CLL16 fitsfits intointo hishis overall overall ricerice planting planting approach. approach.

I got I got a stand a stand there there thatthat held.” held.” to cut it.

That’s a big deal.

In the last couple of years, we’ve been planting CLL16, adding, “I didn’t have any lodging, and I was very “If you’ve got the lowest input goals and the top-end yield r This past season, CLL16 yields “It’s a little a little later maturing,” maturing,” he he says. says.

“You “You cancan plant plant some some of those ofsothose other otherend up “CLL16 “CLL16 hashas aswould as much much yield yield potential potential as anyany product product ranged from almost 197 asbushels to just over “It’s everything inlater the same maturity class, and we fast potential, why you not plant CLL16?” happy with theto yields.

Weplant made 190foryouwe toyou221 bushels dry u lines lines and and get get started started early. early.

CLL16 CLL16 is going is going stand to stand there there and and wait wait for on on thethe market, market, including including the the hybrids,” hybrids,” says says Walker.

Walker. “I’ve with too many acres ready all at once. It’s a variety good enough to build 201 bushels per acre on Walker’s farms.

That included a field where, g to cut it. That’s it. That’s a big a big deal. deal.

In the InCLL16 the lastlast couple couple of years, of years, we’ve we’ve been been planting planting with this season.

I can give you examples where it Later in the season, onegot ofgot Walker’s farms received 13 the inches ofyield rain “If“If you’ve you’ve the the lowest lowest input input goals goals andand the top-end top-end yieldin a to cut your foundation around.” a good stand because it’s got what we call a buffalo wallow p never gotten everything everything in the in the same same maturity maturity class, class, and and we we plant plant so so fast fast we we end end up up competitive potential, potential, whywhy would youyou notwater not plant plant CLL16?”

CLL16?”

48-hour period, resulting in days ofwould standing and forcing him to outperformed hybrids. Overall, it’s very d here in the withwith tootoo many many acres acres ready ready all all atanother once. at once.

It’scritical It’s a variety a variety good good enough enough build to buildto have Grand Prairie,” heseason, says.

“The came up toportions a perfect stand. disease package advantage.

“It’sto going rebuild levees. result, flooding was delayed and ofofthe field Later Later inAsthe inathe season, oneone of Walker’s of CLL16 Walker’s farms farms received received 13 inches 13 inches rain of rain in ain a CLL16’s withis hybrids.”

Jason McGee your your foundation foundation around.” around.”

48-hour period, period, resulting days insince days of of standing standing water water and and forcing forcing him him to to some tolerance to narrow brown leaf spot and tolerance to blast under our up48-hour suffering fromofresulting aproperty lack ofinmoisture.

Still, he says CLL16 quickly I’ve beenended farming that piece 2016, and it’sthe the first time HeCLL16’s also likespackage how CLL16 fitsthink into hisadvantage. overall rice planting approach. e disease disease package another is another critical critical advantage. going going tototo have have rebuild rebuild levees.

As a result, a result, flooding waswas delayed delayed and portions portions ofthe the of the field field CLL16’s management style.

Iisdon’t sheath blight“It’s is“It’s going be a major recovered, and, byheld.” lateAsseason, itflooding was impossible toandtell where crop I got a stand there thatlevees. r some some tolerance tolerance to narrow to narrow brown brown leaf leaf spot spot and and tolerance tolerance to blast to blast under under our our ended ended up up suffering suffering from from a lack a lack of moisture. of moisture.

Still, Still, he he says says the the CLL16 CLL16 quickly quickly problem.

I just think it’s going to fit a lot of the acres that I deal with.” had been underwater.

“It’s a littlestyle. later maturing,” he says.

“You canto plant r management style.

I don’t I don’t think think sheath sheath blight blight is going is going to be be a major asome major of those other recovered, and,and, by yield by latelate season, season, it was it was impossible impossible to to telltell where where thethe cropcrop management “CLL16recovered, has as much potential as any product lines and started early.

CLL16 isof the going tothat there problem. problem.

I just I get just think think it’sit’s going going to fit to afit lota lot of the acres acres that Istand deal I deal with.” with.” and wait for you had been been underwater. underwater.the hybrids,” says Walker. on thehad market, including

For more farmers their Authorized cut Horizon it. That’s Ag a big deal. In theRetailers. last couple| ofHorizonSeed.com years, we’ve been planting “If you’ve gotinformation, the lowest input goalscan andcall the 1-800-356-9033 top-end yield or see to ForFor more more information, information, farmers cancan callcall 1-800-356-9033 1-800-356-9033 or or seesee their their Horizon Horizon Ag Authorized Authorized Retailers.

Retailers. | HorizonSeed.com | and HorizonSeed.com everything inAgthe same maturity class, we plant so fast we end up potential, why would youfarmers not plant CLL16?” with too many acres ready all at once. It’s a variety good enough to build Later in the season, one of Walker’s farms received 13 inches of rain in a your foundation around.”

48-hour period, resulting in days of standing water and forcing him to rebuild levees. As a result, flooding was delayed and portions of the field CLL16’s disease package is another critical advantage. “It’s going to have ended up suffering from a lack of moisture. Still, he says the CLL16 quickly some tolerance to narrow brown leaf spot and tolerance to blast under our recovered, and, by late season, it was impossible to tell where the crop management style. I don’t think sheath blight is going to be a major problem. I just think it’s going to fit a lot of the acres that I deal with.” had been underwater.

For more information, farmers can call 1-800-356-9033 ortrademarks see their Horizon AgReserved.

Authorized Retailers. | HorizonSeed.com Clearfield Clearfield and and Provisia Provisia are registered are registered trademarks of BASF. of BASF. ©2021 ©2021 Horizon Horizon Ag, LLC. Ag, LLC. All Rights All Rights Reserved. ®

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®

®

Clearfield® and Provisia® are registered trademarks of BASF. ©2021 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

DECEMBER 2021

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RICE FARMING

5

USA Rice

Update

We need fair trade and action

A

By Betsy Ward

BACKGROUND BY VECTEEZY.COM

President and CEO USA Rice

s the official representatives of the U.S. rice industry to the U.S. government, we put politics aside and work with whomever the people send to Washington, D.C.. At the end of the day, we need to get the job done for you.

As everyone in the rice industry knows, trade is critical to the health and profitability of the industry. And as everyone also knows, we face a lot of unfair competition globally and right here at home. So we need a strong trade policy team and agenda to push for greater rice market access and also check the bad actors in the world. To put it bluntly, I am disappointed at the lack of a clear trade policy agenda as the Biden administration approaches one year in office.

We always give some leeway for a new administration to get their feet under them. But so far, all we have heard from the new trade officials is they are reviewing all trade policies and are putting them through a filter of climate and other non-trade priorities. This has not been helpful as we watch countries take advantage of this power vacuum and lack of initiative by the United States.

Let’s look at India, for example India is the largest exporter of rice in the world. At 20 million tons this year, it exports more than three times the next largest, and India isn’t doing it on a level playing field.

Its domestic support program boosts production above demand with support prices

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RICE FARMING

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DECEMBER 2021

for rice more than doubling since the 200809 marketing year. The government heavily subsidizes agricultural inputs — fertilizer, electricity, irrigation and seeds.

Additionally, India has established minimum support prices for rice that act as price floors. And its government purchases large quantities of rice at these mininum support prices — perhaps as much as one third of the total rice crop since 2008.

When risk is essentially removed from the equation, Indian producers would be foolish to not grow rice. However, it isn’t fair to the rest of the world. And with the volume India is cranking out, it distorts the global rice market.

We’ve played our part — taking our complaints to the World Trade Organization where the United States called out India for deceivingly calculating and under-reporting its rice and wheat subsidies ... by a lot.

It’s not even close. The de minimis limit on rice and wheat price supports — that is, the amount India could prop up their producers with the world looking the other way was 10%. In practice, India is somewhere between 74% and 84% for rice.

What’s worse, India admits that it is over-compensating their farmers, but it also claims an exemption to WTO rules for being a developing country. However, the key caveat to using that exemption is that you cannot distort trade, something we all know India can hardly deny.

Clear message Our message to the Biden administration is clear: India’s rice subsidies are unacceptable. The country must be held accountable for its WTO commitments and not be allowed to hide behind developing nation status — not when it tips the world trade of rice by depressing prices.

Absent WTO compliance, we support using any and all retaliatory measures we can to help get the administraiton’s attention and protect the U.S. rice market, which plays by the rules.

This is one of USA Rice’s top trade priorities. Once they are ready to move off the dime, we will be at the front of the line to urge the Biden administration to act quickly and forcefully.

RICEFARMING.COM

Industry News EPA registers Rogue herbicide from Gowan Co.

The Environmental Protection Agency has registered Rogue SC Herbicide from Gowan Co. LLC for use on dry-seeded and water-seeded rice in the Mid-South and Texas.

The product contains benzobicyclon, an HPPD inhibitor and a member of the Weed Science Society of America’s Group 27.

When applied to a flooded field, benzobicyclon reacts with water, forming a metabolite. It is the metabolite that controls weeds. As such, Rogue has no herbicidal activity when applied to dry soil or foliage.

It is not labeled for furrow-irrigated or row rice that is not completely flooded, nor should it be used on fields with close contour levees, said Rogue SC product manager Chad Dyer. In addition, it is not labeled for use on fields that will go into crawfish later in the season.

Benzobicyclon must be applied to a flooded field, and the label recommends the water be held at a stable or static level for at least five days after application before lowering or draining.

Rogue is not intended to be a stand-alone herbicide and should be part of an integrated weed management program that includes tankmixing and/or rotating different effective modes of action, he said.

Rogue controls a number of weeds, including Amazon and bearded sprangletop, ducksalad, rice flatsedge and ricefield bulrush, according to the label. It also suppresses several weeds, including barnyardgrass and weedy rice.

Rogue is compatible with the Clearfield, FullPage, Provisia and Max-Ace systems to help prolong those chemistries, Dyer said.

Because Rogue is a novel herbicide that requires proper water management to obtain the best results, Gowan is requiring online training and certification. The training also offers 0.5 Certified Crop Advisor credit in the soil and water management category. For more information, visit https://www.gowancocom/ rogue-sc.

California Rice Experiment Station taps LSU’s Dustin Harrell as new director

The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation has tapped Dr. Dustin Harrell as its new director of the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs, California.

“We couldn’t be more excited,” said Glenn rice grower and foundation chairman Gary Enos. “His experience as a rice agronomist and just being director of the LSU research station speaks very well of him.”

Harrell spent 15 years at the Louisiana State Dr. Dustin University AgCenter’s H. Rouse Caffey Rice Harrell Research and Experiment Station in Crowley, most recently as professor and resident coordinator.

Harrell said one of the things that attracted him to the Rice Experiment Station position was an opportunity to work directly with rice growers.

“The system in that state is a little bit different,” he said.

“The station is run by the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation board composed of 11 rice growers, so I get to work directly with them. And that’s a lot different system than we have here in Louisiana — we work for the Rice Research Board TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

but we work for the university as well.”

Another aspect that interested Harrell was the herbicide-tolerant Roxy Rice Production System being developed by the Rice Experiment Station.

Researchers at the station identified a gene in 2014 that imparts tolerance to oxyfluorfen herbicide and are developing varieties containing the trait.

Justin Chlapecka named Missouri rice Extension specialist

Dr. Justin Chlapecka joined the University of Missouri Extension as state rice specialist at the Fisher Delta Research Center Aug. 1. He also serves as an assistant professor in the MU Division of Plant Science and Technology.

In a new partnership between MU and the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council, Chlapecka will lead rice agronomy research efforts at the Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville and the Missouri Rice Research and Demonstration Farm near Malden.

Dr. Justin He will concentrate on applied research to Chlapecka improve sustainability and profitability of rice production in southeastern Missouri.

This includes testing of cultivars, rotational systems, pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs in flood-irrigated and furrow-irrigated rice culture, said Robert Kallenbach, associate dean for agriculture and environment Extension programs.

Chlapecka earned his doctorate in crop, soil and environmental science with an emphasis in rice agronomy at the University of Arkansas.

California industry honors rice station director Kent McKenzie for service

The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation recently honored Dr. Kent McKenzie with its annual California Rice Industry Award for his 32 years of service to the state's rice producers.

McKenzie also marked the 58th leader who was recognized with the award during the annual Rice Field Day at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs.

In receiving the award, McKenzie said, “I’ve been very blessed. Thanks especially to the ‘real’ Dr. McKenzie, Kathryn, my first lady of rice. It’s been a very good investment for me and my family. I hope it’s been good for you.”

Kathryn McKenzie was a veterinarian before she retired. (from left) Kent McKenzie receives the California Rice Industry Award presented by California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation Chairman Gary Enos and board member Aaron Scheidel.

VICKY BOYD

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Charting a new frontier LSU-bred higher-protein, low-glycemic rice variety gains traction.

By Vicky Boyd Editor

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ice already has a strong nutritional profile. After all, it is one of the first solid foods recommended for babies because of its ease of digestibility.

Two producers want to take rice’s nutrition to the next level by growing and marketing Frontière, a higher-protein low-glycemic long-grain variety from the Louisiana State University AgCenter breeding program. They also hope to capitalize on the latest “plant-based protein” consumer trend.

Blake Gerard of Cape McLure, Illinois, markets the variety under the Cahokia label, paying tribute to the Cahokia Native American Indian Tribe that made its home in the area. And Michael Fruge of Eunice, Louisiana, promotes the variety under the Parish Rice brand, which gives a shout out to Louisiana. Both producers are doing so under an agreement with Frontière’s lone licensee, Bob Butcher.

Traditional breeding techniques LSU AgCenter researchers Herry Utomo and Ida Wenefrida several years ago began developing a higher-protein rice to address global malnutrition. Rice is the most widely consumed grain worldwide, yet it only averages between 6% to 7% protein.

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“Because of where we come from, we wanted to look at the malnutrition problem,” said Utomo, an LSU Ag Center genetics professor who grew up in Indonesia. “Most of the people who cannot afford anything else depend on rice. We thought maybe we could provide better nutrition from rice.”

But developing higher protein levels along with desirable agronomic characteristics did not come easily. The two researchers used a mutagenesis technique similar to that used to produce semidwarf varieties. As such, plant lines developed with this method are not considered genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Utomo and Wenefrida then screened the lines for high lysine levels that indicated higher amounts of protein.

Cypress parentage The researchers started with Cypress — an LSU AgCenter-bred semi-dwarf long grain known for its excellent grain quality released in 1992. After seven to eight years, the LSU AgCenter released the patented variety, Frontière, in 2017.

It averages 10.6% protein, or 54% more than most conventional long-grain rice varieties. And Utomo and Wenefrida are working to increase protein levels even further in potential future release.

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LSU AGCENTER

(from left) Rice producer Michael Fruge chats with LSU AgCenter rice researchers Ida Wenefrida and Herry Utomo.

As a semi-dwarf, Frontière stands about 36 inches tall and has good lodging resistance. With the Cypress genetic background, it is moderately susceptible to rice blast and very susceptible to sheath blight.

Frontière has similar high-quality milling as Cypress, but its cook type falls between Cypress and Cocodrie — likely because of the higher protein levels, Utomo said.

In the field, growers manage Frontière as they would Cypress, although the higher-protein line yields about 10% less than Cypress. That is one of the agronomic traits Utomo and Wenefrida want to improve.

Lower glycemic index What Gerard and Fruge have found is the higher protein-to-carbohydrate ratio helped reduce the grain’s glycemic index. The two funded a study by Toronto, Canada-based Inquis Clinical Research, which specializes in determining a product’s glycemic index and glycemic load.

Initially, Fruge said they presumed the glycemic index for Frontière would be similar to that for brown rice, which typically has a medium glycemic index.

“It came back low, way more than we had ever dreamed of,” Fruge said. “Brown rice versus white rice is a 10-point difference.

Well, we went from 70 for long grain to 41.”

Regular white rice has a glycemic index of 73. Considered on the high side, it means that the carbohydrates are easily digested, absorbed and metabolized. This results in a quick spike in blood sugar.

While a sprinter may want that quick burst of energy, someone TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

with diabetes who is looking to stabilize blood sugar levels may not. But Frontière has a glycemic index of less than 55, or in the low category. That means when someone eats a serving, the starches are slowly broken down, provide a more sustained energy source and don’t produce large blood sugar spikes.

In many cases, the low-glycemic index also means that people with diabetes or pre-diabetes can now eat Frontière rice without the same health concerns as conventional white rice, Utomo said.

Cahokia gains momentum Gerard is in his fourth year growing and marketing Frontière under his Cahokia brand, and he has seen demand continue to grow. He offers it as brown or white rice in 1- and 2-pound consumer bags as well as 25-pound bulk bags.

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VICKY BOYD

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Initially, Louisiana rice producer Michael Fruge marketed his Frontiere variety under the Prairie Acadian Rice brand, which gave a nod to Southwest Louisiana where it’s grown. After a marketing review, he changed the name to Parish Rice to reach a wider audience but still recognize Louisiana.

Most of his sales are to food service, although he also sells to area grocery stores and directly to consumers.

“It’s gaining momentum,” Gerard said. “It’s always slower than you want, but we’re definitely gaining momentum. The key is marketing and promoting the product in the right arena and getting in front of the right people. We’ve got the right person in place with marketing doing an unbelievable job.”

With it also comes education. Gerard said he regularly receives emails from consumers asking how he removes gluten from his rice (rice is naturally gluten free) and whether his rice is nonGMO (yes it is, since there is no commercial GMO rice).

As a cyclist and triathlete himself, Gerard said he originally thought a large portion of his customer base would be athletes seeking the sustained energy release offered by the variety. But he said the market actually is quite diverse.

“Different people like it for different reasons,” he said. “You have a group that like it for the low-glycemic scores because they are diabetic or pre-diabetic — that’s a big draw. There are other people where that’s not a big deal. They buy it for the quality, taste and texture. (Frontière) is very close to Cypress, and Cypress is a good quality rice.”

In addition, many consumers in the Chicago metropolitan area, which is only about six hours from Gerard’s farm, like Cahokia rice because it is locally grown.

A nod to Louisiana Fruge said he became interested in Frontière as part of his goal to grow rice varieties he could market under his own label. He and Gerard came to a sub-licensing agreement since their marketing

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territories do not overlap. Initially, Fruge marketed Frontière under the Prairie Acadian Rice brand, which highlighted the area around Eunice where he grew the rice.

After having a local marketing agency review his branding, he said he decided to rename it Parish Rice. Although many people in Southwest Louisiana are familiar with Acadiana, those outside the area may not be.

“They asked me about rebranding, and I basically told them no,” Fruge said.

“I wanted it tied to Eunice.

They made me realize if I go out of state, a lot of people understand Louisiana and the Cajun culture and food. They convinced me to tie it to Louisiana and not just Eunice.”

The word “parish” carries out that goal since Louisiana is the only state in the union to use those unique administrative districts.

It’s also a term with which many consumers are familiar.

So far, most of Fruge’s customers have been food service, including university athletic departments. As the pandemic wanes and people eat out more, he said he hopes demand also will increase.

“We’re starting to see an uptick,” he said. “More and more people are starting to find out about it.”

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2021

RICEAWARDS { } Horizon Ag, Rice Farming and USA Rice are proud to bring you the recipients of the 2021 Rice Awards. The program highlights three honorees for their contributions to the success of the U.S. rice industry through the Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nicole Montna Van Vleck RICE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD

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PHOTOS BY VICKY BOYD

n the late 1930s, Dutch and Emma Montna developed a parcel of land in Sutter County, California, into a successful rice operation known as Montna Farms.

Their son, Al, and his wife, Gail, purchased the ranch in the 1970s, and then sold the majority of the business to their daughters, Nicole and Michelle, in 2000.

“My dad grew the rice ranch in the 1970s, and I came back to the farm in 1994,” Nicole says. “Together, we continued to expand its size and vertically integrate by adding a second dryer and more storage to allow us to identity preserve our varieties.”

Nicole says her father, Al, has always felt strongly about succession planning. He decided to step back about 10 years ago and form a board of family members and others.

Today, Al serves as chairman of Montna Farms, and Nicole is president and CEO.

Nicole Montna Van Vleck (center) poses with her family at Montna Farms. From left: Christian Van Vleck (son), Al Montna (father), Vittoria Van Vleck (daughter) and Stan Van Vleck (husband).

“Our main focus is on producing super high-premium, Japonica-style short-grain varieties — Koshihikari, Yumegokochi and Sansanishiki — for JFC Foods, which is owned by Kikkoman,” Nicole says. “We grow the entire Tamanishiki brand for them. The rice is milled in Williams, California, at American Commodity Company that we own in partnership with the Rue and Crutchfield families.”

Start to finish, the short grains are grown on Montna Farms, milled at ACC and then delivered to JFC, which distributes the Tamanishiki brand throughout the United States and internationally.

“We also grow M-105 and M-206 medium grain varieties,” Nicole says. “This year, we tried M-211 — a new high-yielding, good-quality premium variety.”

Chris Crutchfield, ACC president and CEO says, “By implementing sustainability practices, closely monitoring

the Montna family’s drying and storage operation, and serving as a partner at ACC, Nicole helps ensure the highest quality product goes into every bag of Tamanishiki rice that’s bought at the store or eaten in a restaurant. All of that, and she grows the best tasting sushi rice in the world.

But I may be a bit biased there.”

At Montna Farms, conservation is also a priority. In 2000, they implemented a working lands easement on most of the ranch with Wetlands American Trust — Ducks Unlimited’s easement holdings entity. They added a layer to the agreement in which they provide water every year immediately following harvest until March 1 for ducks and geese migrating down the Pacific Flyway.

Subsequently, the family operation has worked with the Nature Conservancy, California Waterfowl Association, the National Audubon Society and Point Blue. More recently, Montna Farms is cooperating with California Trout and UC Davis on salmon recovery efforts. The projects involve raising juvenile salmon in rice fields to assist with survival of the fish.

Not only is the third-generation rice farmer involved with their California rice operation throughout the year, she also makes time to promote and sustain the U.S. rice industry.

“My passion is trying to solve difficult policy issues by bringing industry people together constructively and collaboratively,” Nicole says. “I believe it’s incumbent on all of us to serve in areas where we have expertise. We need to do this so the U.S. rice industry will continue to thrive for generations to come.

“When I took on the USA Rice Farmers chair position, I enjoyed interacting with growers in other states to find policy to strengthen and benefit rice. The other state chairs and the USA Rice staff worked collectively on a Farm Policy Task Force to get strong programs passed. In the last Farm Bill negotiations, we were able to maintain our reference prices, include some new conservation benefits and expand the definition of the family farm.”

Mississippi rice farmer Kirk Satterfield, who later took over as USA Rice Farmers chair, says, “We have all benefited from Nicole’s service and dedication to the organization over the past two years. Her tenure as chair could quite possibly go down as both one of the most difficult and the most successful during these historic times.”

When asked about her reaction upon learning she had been selected for the award, Nicole said, “I was completely surprised but very pleased. It put a big smile on my face.”

For her dedication to producing an excellent product and channeling her passion to sustain the U.S. rice industry, we are proud to name Nicole Montna Van Vleck as the 2021 Rice Farmer of the Year.

Nicole Montna Van Vleck Yuba City, California

• B.S., Political Science with a Business minor, University of California, Los Angeles.

• President and CEO, Montna Farms.

• California Rice Industry Association, chair.

• Immediate past chair of California Producers Group and USA Rice Farmers board.

• Serves on California Rice Commission, USA Rice Federation, The Rice Foundation and USA Rice PAC board of directors.

• Past chair of USA Rice Communications Committee and past co-chair of Rice Sustainability and Competitiveness Task Force.

• Past chair of state Farm Service Agency board and State Fair ag advisory board.

• Northern California Water Association board of directors.

• UC Davis Dean’s advisory board for agriculture and environmental sciences.

• River Valley Community Bank board of directors.

• 2011-12 USA Rice Leadership Program.

California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class XXVI. • Husband, Stan Van Vleck. Two children: Christian and Vittoria.

Dr. Qiming ‘Doc’ Shao RICE INDUSTRY AWARD

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PHOTOS BY VICKY BOYD

r. Qiming “Doc” Shao is a lifelong member of the global rice community. He spent his early years in Southern China working on his family’s farm where they grew rice, canola, peanuts, potatoes and wheat.

In 1982, Shao enrolled in Southwest University, Chongqing, China, to pursue an agronomy degree. Following an internship in the cotton breeding and genetics lab, he was poised to study plant breeding and genetics with a focus on cotton in graduate school. But the agronomy department head at Nanjing Agricultural University recommended Shao switch his focus to rice instead.

Dr. Qiming Shao reviews milled or dehulled rice seeds to decide which ones are destined for the Puerto Rico winter nursery.

“At NAU, I studied rice breeding and genetics with my supervisor, Professor Lihong Zhu, who graduated from Michigan State University in 1948,” he said. “The more I studied rice, the more interest I had in it.”

Shao began his professional career as a university professor in China before relocating to the United States to further his education at Louisiana State University. As a doctoral student, he spent time at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley, Louisiana, where he gained experience in breeding rice for the U.S. market.

Th is training was complemented by his global understanding of the crop.

“I enjoyed the teamwork aspect at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station and how unselfish the other lab members were in helping one another,” he said. “Drs. Milton Rush, Steve Linscombe, Don Groth, James Oard and many others were eager to guide me through lab and field work projects.”

In 2004, he joined Bayer CropScience as a breeder

where he worked on global hybrid rice development. In 2015, Nutrien Crop Solutions acquired Bayer’s rice breeding program in El Campo, Texas. Shao is currently the senior rice breeder and drives product development and all breeding activities. He released his fi rst variety from Nutrien’s program in 2021. DG-263L is a long-grain rice focused on the Southern U.S. market, and more than 450 growers successfully grew the variety this year.

“Randy Ouzts, Nutien’s U.S. rice manager, has traveled with me many times to the winter nursery in Puerto Rico and multi-location trials in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi,” Shao said. “His experience and suggestions have been crucial as I evaluate the elite breeding lines.”

Dr. Steve Linscombe, director and senior rice breeder emeritus, LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, praises Shao as an outstanding breeder and geneticist. “His program has made and will continue to make huge contributions to the U.S. rice industry. An example is the recently released DG-263L rice variety.

His program also has several outstanding candidate varieties — both pureline and hybrid — many of which will be available for commercial production in the near future.

“One thing I truly admire about Doc is that he does not ask his crew to do anything he does not fully participate in as well. Th is is an important quality as most rice field breeding activities are carried out under hot, humid and mosquito-infested conditions.”

Missouri rice farmer Zack Tanner said he feels privileged to have worked with Shao for several years as a seedsman increasing seed varieties the rice breeder has developed.

“When you weigh Dr. Shao’s impressive work ethic, mutual respect of his colleagues and the positive impact his work is having on the rice industry, you will see he is very deserving of the Rice Industry Award,” Tanner said.

Shao said his inspiration as a rice breeder is to breed better rice varieties for farmers and consumers so everyone can enjoy high-quality rice at the most economic price.

His advice for young people interested in pursuing a successful career in agriculture is to work hard, keep an open mind and adjust their goals when the market changes.

“I am very excited about receiving this award, but I would not be here without the help of all the incredible colleagues that I work with daily,” Shao said. “I am very appreciative of them.”

It is a great honor and privilege to congratulate Dr. Qiming “Doc” Shao as the recipient of the 2021 Rice Industry Award.

Dr. Qiming Shao Sugar Land, Texas

• B.S., Agronomy, Southwest University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.

M.S., Plant Breeding and Genetics, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, PRC. • Ph.D., Plant Health with a minor in Molecular Biology, Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, Louisiana State University.

• Senior Rice Breeder, Manager of Rice Breeding Program, Nutrien Ag Solutions.

• Member, Rice Technical Working Group and Rice Crop Germplasm Committee.

• President, Asian American Horticultural Association.

• 2021 Appreciation Award, Dulles High School Chinese Booster Club.

• 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award, Bayer CropScience.

• Member, Dulles High School Chinese Parents Association.

• Wife, Binru Huang. Two children: Mike and Nancy Shao.

Dr. Kent McKenzie RICE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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PHOTOS BY VICKY BOYD

r. Kent McKenzie is a rice visionary whose career began in California, traversed Arkansas and Louisiana and ultimately landed back in his home state.

While in graduate school at the University of California, Davis, he had a front row seat for the green revolution in California rice with the emergence of semi-dwarf varieties. McKenzie’s mentors included geneticist Neil Rutger and professors Maurice Peterson, Bill Webb and Charlie Bollich with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Texas.

His rice experience continued to flourish when he moved to the University of Arkansas and studied under Professor Bobby Wells and others. From there, he traveled to Louisiana State University and joined a young, enthusiastic band of scientists at the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station in Crowley whose synergy propelled rice research forward.

“The group included LSU’s Marlin Brandon, Pat Bollich, Tim and Sue Croughan, Don Groth, Steve Linscombe, Richard Dunand and John Robinson from USDA,” McKenzie said. “The administrative support from Duke Falkner and later Joe Musick was also a major contribution.”

Dr. Kent McKenzie is joined by his wife, Kathryn, at their home in Oroville, California.

This who’s who in the rice world not only advanced McKenzie’s technical accomplishments but also nurtured the importance of being a people person. Everyone liked him.

Perhaps McKenzie’s lifetime legacy in rice was initiated to some degree by LSU AgCenter legend Marlin Brandon.

In 1984, California rice farmers and Rice Experiment Station directors Jim Erdman and Gordon Wylie flew Erdman’s Cessna-182 from California to Louisiana to recruit him as director of RES near Biggs. Brandon accepted the position and, in turn, requested that the grower-owned RES bring on McKenzie in 1988 to lead the short grains and specialty rice breeding project.

“At the California Rice Experiment Station, I joined a mature and very productive program with experienced breeders in S.T. Tseng, Carl Johnson and staff,” he said.

As a new breeder at the RES, McKenzie led the development of M-402, a premium quality medium grain; S-102, a popular short-grain variety; Calhikari-201, the first premium quality short grain; and Calamylow-201, the first low amylose-type short grain. With the passing of station Director Brandon, McKenzie rose to the position in 2000 and served with distinction until his retirement in 2020. During his tenure as director, McKenzie transformed the RES into a modern, state-of-the-art rice breeding and research facility that is well known nationally and internationally.

Among his more recent rice-breeding accomplishments is the discovery of the ROXY trait, which imparts tolerance to oxyfluorfen herbicide. The ROXY Rice Production System, which uses propriety formulations being developed by Albaugh LLC, is expected to be commercially available in California for the 2023 season.

“With the discovery of ROXY, I have been working with a new group of industry researchers and pest control advisors including Jim Cook, Joe Desmond, Matt Ehlhardt, and Jason Bowen to name a few,” McKenzie said. “I also collaborate with Chad Shelton and his team at Albaugh.

All these individuals have contributed to further my education and understanding from a commercial perspective.”

Colusa County rice grower Leo LaGrande said, “The modern varieties grown in California today are attributable to Kent’s hard work and dedication to an ever-changing rice industry. His continued collaboration with both growers and marketers has been a crucial component in developing them. Recognizing and developing genetic markers for rice cultivars has kept the California rice industry sustainable both today and into the future.”

McKenzie said he is flattered and humbled to be recognized by his colleagues and friends on such a grand scale.

“In all places and especially in my position at RES, I have truly enjoyed and benefited from working with the board members and growers who have committed their time, talent and dollars to support rice research,” he said. “I also have been blessed with the unwavering support of my wife Kathryn — my first lady of rice — and our families. It is tremendously gratifying to look back on a career and hear the message in this award. If I can borrow a phrase from the scriptures, it is ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

In recognition of his professional accomplishments, graciousness and humility, it is a great pleasure to name Dr. Kent McKenzie the recipient of the 2021 Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Kent McKenzie Oroville, California

• B.A., Biology, Willamette University. M.S., Agronomy, University of California, Davis.

• Ph.D., Genetics with a minor in Plant Physiology, University of California, Davis.

• Retired December 2020 as director and plant breeder at the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation-Rice Experiment Station in Biggs. Currently providing consulting support to CCRRF and Albaugh LLC. • 2021 California Rice Industry Award.

• 2014 Rice Industry Award.

• Member of the Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, American Association of Cereal Chemists and Rice Technical Working Group.

• Serves on the California Rice Certification Committee and the Research and Technology Committee for the California Rice Commission.

• Serves on several committees and task forces for the USA Rice Federation.

• Active participant — Temperate Rice Research Consortium.

• Wife, Kathryn, DVM. Two sons: Lt. Cmdr.

Douglas McKenzie USN (wife, Elizabeth, and three daughters: Isabella, Juliana and Sophia) and John Ross McKenzie (wife, Laura).

Horizon Ag would like to recognize past Rice Awards recipients.

1992 Dennis Leonards 1993 Jacko Garrett Jr. 1994 Nolen Canon 1995 Duane Gaither 1996 Leroy & Chris Isbell 1997 Charles Berry John Denison Paul Haidusek Errol Lounsberry Charley Mathews Jr. Patrick Mullen Fred Tanner 1998 Tommy Andrus Don Bransford Larry Devillier Jr. Dennis Robison Gary Sebree Linda Zaunbrecher 1999 Ken Collins James “Jimmy” Hoppe Charles Parker Johnson Abbott Myers Lowell George “L.G.” Raun Jr. Martin Walt Jr. 2000 John B. Alter R. Ernest Girouard Jr. Bill Griffith Ken Minton Michael Rue J.D. “Des” Woods 2001 Rice Farmer of the Year: Larry and Candice Davis Rice Industry Award: Jack William Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: David LaCour 2002 Rice Farmer of the Year: Tommy Ray Oliver Rice Industry Award: Howard Cormier Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Leland L. Carle 2003 Rice Farmer of the Year: David Monroe Smith Jr. Rice Industry Award: Dr. Johnny Saichuk Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Lundberg Brothers

2006 Rice Farmer of the Year: Gibb Steele Rice Industry Award: Chuck Wilson Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: John Denison 2007 Rice Farmer of the Year: Clarence Berken Rice Industry Award: Dr. Joe Street Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe 2008 Rice Farmer of the Year: Milton LaMalfa Rice Industry Award: John Cummings Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Ahrent 2009 Rice Farmer of the Year: Curtis Berry Rice Industry Award: John E. Broussard Jr. Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Carl Wayne Brothers 2010 Rice Farmer of the Year: Greg, C.J. and Jeff Durand Rice Industry Award: Dr. Richard J. Norman Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Elaine T. Champagne 2011 Rice Farmer of the Year: Mark Wimpy Rice Industry Award: Dr. Rick Cartwright Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jacko Garrett Jr. 2012 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jim Whitaker Rice Industry Award: Dr. Donald Groth Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Erdman 2013 Rice Farmer of the Year: Joe Aguzzi Rice Industry Award: Dr. Eric Webster Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Elton Kennedy 2014 Rice Farmer of the Year: Fred Zaunbrecher Rice Industry Award: Dr. Kent McKenzie Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Baden 2015 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jerry Hoskyn Rice Industry Award: Keith Fontenot Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy Hoppe

2004 Rice Farmer of the Year: Dane Hebert Rice Industry Award: Dr. M.O. “Mo” Way Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joseph Musick

2016 Rice Farmer of the Year: Richard Fontenot Rice Industry Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Sebree

2005 Rice Farmer of the Year: John Greer Rice Industry Award: Charles “Eddie” Eskew Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Donald Bransford

2017 Rice Farmer of the Year: Christian Richard Rice Industry Award: Dr. Xueyan Sha Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Chuck Wilson

2021

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ne of my favorite honors each year as general manager of Horizon Ag is having a role in recognizing the winners of Rice Farming magazine’s Rice Awards at the Rice Outlook Conference. The 2021 recipients of these awards have proven to be among the best of the best working in this great industry. It is right and fitting that we say “thank you” for all they have done and continue to do.

The U.S rice industry is no stranger to adversity, from extremely challenging weather to costly agronomic and pest challenges that affect our ability to grow rice profitably to increasing global competition for our product. In addition, we are navigating through the significant impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our families, friends and communities, as well as our ability to conduct business and meet consumer needs.

That’s why it’s so important that leaders like this year’s Rice Award recipients have stepped up and continue their efforts to advance and champion the U.S. rice industry, both domestically and around the globe. Our industry is stronger because of their leadership, service and commitment.

The recipients will receive the following awards:  The Rice Farmer of the Year Award, which is given to a farmer who has shown determination, innovation or dedication to growing the crop.  The Rice Industry Award, which honors a person who has proven to be innovative in his or her role in this industry.  The Rice Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a person who has dedicated his or her life to the viability of the U.S. rice industry.

Horizon Ag is proud to again sponsor Rice Farming magazine’s Rice Awards, and we congratulate each award winner.

We know the future will bring challenges for U.S. rice and agriculture. But we can and will continue to move ahead, confident in our ability to persevere and thrive, thanks to the examples set by this year’s award winners and those award winners who proceeded them.

At Horizon Ag, we stand with you and are committed to bringing forward solutions like top-performing Provisia® and Clearfield® rice varieties that are making farmers more productive and more profitable. We’re excited about the future and wish you all a safe and successful 2022 season.

Tim Walker Horizon Ag General Manager

Clearfield® and Provisia® are registered trademarks of BASF. © 2021 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

2018 Rice Farmer of the Year: Melvin “Skip” Hula Jr. Rice Industry Award: Earl J. Garber Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Hare Jr. 2019 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jennifer James

Rice Industry Award: Jim F. Cook Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Ford Baldwin 2020 Rice Farmer of the Year: Gordon Wylie Rice Industry Award: Kyle McCann Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. M.O. “Mo” Way

PHOTOS BY VICKY BOYD

(from left back) Harrison Jones, Jeremy Jones. (front from left), Alayna Jones, Whitney Jones, Chris Isbell, Judy Isbell and Mark Isbell.

They are all involved in the Isbell Farm’s growing sake rice business.

Kanpai!

Arkansas family grows, markets specialty rices for burgeoning craft sake industry.

By Vicky Boyd Editor

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or years, Chris Isbell of Humnoke, Arkansas, has been growing different Japanese short-grain rice varieties experimentally, with the goal of producing them commercially for use in high-end sake. His plans are finally coming to fruition, backed by family members who have joined to help produce, brand and market the varieties under the Isbell Farms logo.

“We’re 100% rice on this farm, and that has worked well,” said son Mark Isbell. “We don’t have any diversity within our crops, and this gives us a little more exposure to different markets that hedge our risk in a different way. And I like that aspect of it.”

While the bulk of the Isbells’ acreage remains in hybrids, the family hopes to nurture its sake rice business in the coming years.

Isbell Farms also has partnered with Blake Richardson, owner of Minnesota Rice and Milling, for polishing and distributing their rice. Not only has Richardson learned the fine art of milling rice for sake, but he is a brewer himself.

Four simple ingredients Following a path much like craft beer breweries did more than TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

Whitney Jones came up with the idea of using small glass jars to really showcase the different sake rice varieties in their promotional sample pack.

a decade ago when they began producing small batches of specialty beers, craft sake breweries are just emerging on the scene.

Described by some as a national obsession in Japan, many sakes are made from rice, water, yeast and koji, spores of the Aspergillus oryzae fungus used to inoculate the steamed rice.

The fungus breaks down the rice starch into sugar, which the yeast can then ferment.

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Arkansas shares latitude with Japan Chris, who has visited Japan seven times, started with Yamada Nishiki, the preferred rice variety used in that country’s highend sakes. Although growing sake rice in Arkansas may raise some eyebrows, he pointed to the state’s location in relation to Hyogo, Japan, renowned for its premium sake rice. Both share almost the same latitude and have similar soils.

Chris imported seed from Japan in the mid-1990s, going through the proper U.S. Department of Agriculture quarantine steps.

Then came the arduous task of seed increase that involved planting rows and harvesting them by hand. Joining Chris were Mark, nephew Shane Isbell and son-in-law Jeremy Jones.

“It was one of the ones in the plots that was really scary looking,” Jeremy said of Yamada Nishiki, which can be a fickle variety to grow. “It lodged and the straw is very wiry and tough.”

Compared to the popular short-grain variety, Koshihikari, the Yamada Nishiki is about twice as tall.

They stored the seed in the freezer each season, eventually accumulating enough to plant an entire field.

The rise of premium sake The Isbells have also begun growing the varieties Omachi, Watari Bune and Gohyakumangoku, all for the high-end sake market. But Chris said he realized that not all brewers produce for upper-tier buyers, so they now also grow SoMai, a quality medium grain, for mid-tier brewers.

SoMai differs from California Calrose-type medium-grain varieties in that it is a single variety.

“They can brew sake consistently from one batch to the next while also filling the need for the mid-tier application,” Chris said.

Calrose, on the other hand, describes a class of medium grains that inMark Isbell pours a prize-winning cludes a number of differsake made with one of their sake ent varieties. rice varieties.

The Isbells made their first big sale a few years ago when they were approached by a high-end Pacific Coast sake brewer. That brewer has since won international awards for its sake made using Isbell specialty rices.

The fine art of milling A serendipitous query through a mutual acquaintance in of all places, Norway, brought the Isbells together with Richardson of Minnesota Rice and Milling in Fridley, Minnesota. In addition, he owns moto-i, at one time the nation’s only sake brew pub.

Milling sake rice requires specialized machinery and a knowledgeable operator, Chris said. “You have to go really slow or you’ll break the rice,” he said.

20

RICE FARMING

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PHOTOS BY VICKY BOYD

malting techniques and hops to impart flavors, sake leans heavily on the delicate flavors of different rice varieties, koji and yeast.

Even the extent to which rice is milled — 50% versus 70%, for example — can affect the beverage’s nuanced flavor balance.

Potential buyers receive an Isbell Farms’ sample pack that includes a four-color booklet about the operation and its sake rice varieties, sample jars of individual rice varieties and other promotional materials.

If you run the mill too fast, the kernels overheat and are more prone to cracking. The goal is to polish off the exterior layers while maintaining the whole kernel.

A 70% polished batch, for example, can take up to eight hours to mill, while a 50% batch can take up to 48 hours non-stop.

The amount of kernel removed, or polished, during milling affects the quality of the sake. Rice where 50% of the kernel is remaining generally is used for a higher-end sake than rice with 60% remaining.

A family affair Within the Isbell family sake rice endeavor, family members have taken on different tasks. Mark designed the four-color booklet that explains the family’s rice-growing philosophy. It also highlights the sake rice varieties they grow and each one’s characteristics.

In addition, Mark helps find new markets and potential buyers.

He came up with the idea of developing a sake rice sample box to showcase the family’s offerings.

Although his sister, Whitney Jones, liked the idea, she suggested they use a series of small jars to really showcase the rice rather than vacuum-sealed plastic bags as Mark had proposed.

Putting together the boxes became an evening family event as requests came pouring in. Whitney laughed that she had to split the mailings so she wouldn’t overwhelm the small post office in Humnoke. The family also is on their second printing of the informational booklet that accompanies the samples.

Nevertheless, building a customer base hasn’t happened overnight.

“It’s a slow process in this industry because (the brewers) have long schedules,” Mark said. “But we have definitely seen an uptick in interest and orders.”

“COVID didn’t help either,” Jeremy added. “We want it to grow, but it’s going to have to grow as the market does. It’s something that you don’t want to over-produce or under-produce.”

Jeremy, along with Mark and Shane, take care of the sake rice fields throughout the growing season.

Jeremey’s son, Harrison, proposed the farm have a professionally designed logo to brand all of its social media content and promotional materials. He also films much of the video content that makes its way to Isbell Farm’s social media sites. Jeremy’s daughter, Alayna, edits the sometimes hours of video content into much shorter films that appeal to viewers.

RICEFARMING.COM

IN RICE, IT’S ALL ABOUT ROTATION, ROTATION, ROTATION.

OPTIMAL 3-YEAR ROTATION OPTIONAL 4TH YEAR CONVENTIONAL RICE

Boost yield potential with the right field rotation.* The three-year rotation of the Provisia® Rice System, the Clearfield® Production System for rice, and herbicide-tolerant soybeans gives you the best chance of keeping weed-resistance under control—while growing more rice over multiple seasons. That means more flexibility, more control and more sustainable rice-planting years on more acres. Get your rotation in order and get cleaner fields that drive yields.

Contact your BASF rep or Authorized Retailer for more information.

* When compared to fields not treated with a herbicide Always read and follow label directions. Clearfield and Provisia are registered trademarks of BASF. © 2021 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

2022 Rice Seed Guide

A

s they say, no two years are alike. 2021, with early periods of cold, wet weather, differed from the tropical storm- and hurricane-plagued 2020 season.

Nearing the end of 2021, many rice growers reported strong yields, prompting optimism for 2022.

With the past season in your rearview mirror, take time to relax, say farewell to the year, and review which cultivars did well and which ones didn’t. Also check out university trial results to see how different cultivars performed in various locations.

Fertilizer prices continue to rise, so it pays to collect soil samples to know how sufficient or deficient your soil is. As University of Arkansas’ Trent Roberts likes to say, “Don’t guess, soil test.”

These easy-to-use charts, which highlight proprietary variety and hybrid traits for the Mid-South, Texas and the South, are designed to help with your planting decisions. Consider each field individually along with your goals when making selections for 2022.

The following information was provided by Dyna-Gro, Horizon Ag LLC and RiceTec.

2022 Horizon Ag Varieties Provisia Rice System varieties PVL02 • Newly released Provisia variety • Improved yield and milling compared to PVL01 • Nine days earlier in maturity compared to PVL01 • Exceptional tillering • Superior cooking quality PVL03 (NEW) • Latest variety for the Provisia Rice System • Highest and most stable yielding Provisia variety • Excellent stalk strength • Resistant to blast and Cercospora • Superior package quality milled rice

Clearfield Production System for Rice varieties CLHA02 (NEW) • Second high-amylose Clearfield release • Cheniere (L-202) cook type • Improved yield over CL163 • Moderately resistant to lodging CLL16 • Exceptional yield performance • Broadly adapted for the region • Excellent milling characteristics

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DECEMBER 2021

• Industry-leading blast resistance • Excellent standability CLL17 • Early season, semi-dwarf long grain • Strong yielder, consistently outyielding CL153 • Requires lower nitrogen • Excellent milling yield • Very good grain quality • Resistant to blast and Cercospora CLL15 • Exceptional yield potential • Broad-spectrum blast resistance • Excellent milling quality • Moderately resistant to lodging • Early maturing CL111 • Excellent vigor with high yield potential • Outstanding grain quality and milling • Exceptional ratoon crop performance • Kellogg’s preferred long grain CL151 • Exceptional yield potential • Requires lower nitrogen rate − Manage nitrogen input to reduce lodging and disease pressure • Susceptible to blast; not recommended for fields with a history of blast or water issues

Web Resources For more information about Clearfield and Provisia varieties, visit https:// www.horizonseed.com For more information about conventional hybrids, FullPage hybrids, and Max-Ace varieties and hybrids, visit https://www.ricetec.com/ For more information about Dyna-Gro rice, visit https://dyna groseed.com/seed-finder/rice CL153 • Exceptional seedling vigor • Yield potential equivalent to CL151 • Outstanding grain quality and milling • Blast resistance • Lodging resistance CL163 • Excellent yield potential and seedling vigor • Outstanding grain quality and milling • Exceptional cooking quality − Extra-high amylose content compared to current long-grain varieties − Ideal for parboil, canning, food services or package rice • Susceptible to blast; not recommended for fields with a history of blast or water issues CLM04 • First Clearfield medium-grain variety released by University of Arkansas • Yield potential similar to Jupiter • Very good grain quality • Improved blast resistance compared to Jupiter CLJ01 • First Clearfield jasmine-type variety • Very good aroma • Premium grain appearance and milling • Excellent yield potential • Very good disease package

RICEFARMING.COM

Horizon Ag Varieties Disease Ratings Variety

Sheath Blight

Blast*

Straight Head

Bacterial Panicle Blight*

Narrow Brown Leaf Spot*

Kernel Smut

False Smut

Lodging

PVL02

MS

MS

–

S

MS

–

MS

MS

PLV03

MS

MR

S

MS

MR

MS

MS

MR

CLHA02

MS

S

S

MS

S

MS

MS

MR

1

CLL16

S

MS

–

S

MR

_

MS

MR

CLL17

1

S

R

–

MR

MR

–

MR

S

CLL15

S

MS

MS

S

MS

S

S

MR

CL111

VS

MS

S

VS

S

S

S

MS

CL151

S

VS

VS

VS

S

S

S

S

CL1531

S

MS

MS

MS

MS

S

S

MR

CL163

VS

S

MR

MS

R

MS

–

MS

CLM04

MS

S

MS

MS

MS

–

S

S

CLJ01

MS

MR

MS

S

MS

–

MS

–

VS = Very Susceptible, S = Susceptible, MS = Moderately Susceptible, MR = Moderately Resistant, R = Resistant *Reactions may differ due to variability of strains among pathogens.

1 This variety has genetic markers for Pita, which confers resistance to the following blast races: IA45, IB1, IB49, IB54, IB45, IH1, IG1, IC17, IE1.

2022 Variety Characteristics and Suggested Management Practices Variety

Height 1 (inches)

Maturity 2 (days to 50% heading)

Suggested Seeding Rate 3 (lb seed/A)

Suggested Nitrogen Rate 4 (lb N/A)

PVL02

42

85

50-70

120-160

PVL03 (NEW)

40

81

50-60

10-160

CLHA02 (NEW)

38

83

55-65

120-160

CLL16

42

86

70-80

130-160

CLL17

39

81

45-60

90-130

CL111

39

77

60-70

120-160

CL151

41

81

55-65

90-150

CL153

42

81

60-70

120-160

CL163

41

83

60-70

120-160

CLL15

38

81

60-70

120-160

CLM04

42

86

60-70

120-160

CLJ01

38

85

60-70

120-160

Catch rice on at least three rows at a time while turning drive wheel 10 times. Multiply answer from equation by number of rows caught and total distance. If the amount caught is different from answer, adjust accordingly and repeat.

1 Height will vary with plant density and environmental conditions. 2 Maturity varies with geographical region and environmental conditions in a given year. 3 Optimum drill-seeded planting rate is only for fungicide-treated seed. If using non-treated seed, the seeding rate should be increased by a minimum of 10 lbs/A. 4 Optimal nitrogen rate varies from field to field. The high end should be reserved for heavy clay soils and fields where rice is followed by rice. Using the high end of the nitrogen and seeding rate recommendations may increase the incidence of disease. Please scout and treat the Clearfield varieties accordingly. The NSt*R program is recommended where applicable and has been shown to decrease incidences of disease and lodging. Please contact your local Cooperative Extension office for more information.

2022 Dyna-Gro Long-Grain Rice Variety DG263L • Strong and consistent yield potential • Broadly adapted • Good lodging resistance • Excellent grain quality, low chalk • Good milling yields • Bacterial panicle blight and kernel smut resistance TWITTER: TWITTER: @RICEFARMING @RICEFARMING

Dyna-Gro Variety 2021 Variety Characteristics and Suggested Management Practices Variety

Type

Height (inches)

Maturity (days to 50% heading)

Suggested Seeding Rate (Lbs/A)

Suggested Nitrogen (lbs N/A)

DG263L

Long grain

36

85

45-65

150-180

Sheath Blight

Blast

Straight Head

Bacterial Panicle Blight

Narrow Brown Leaf Spot

Kernal Smut

False Smut

Lodging

S

MS

MS

MR

MS

MR

MR

MR

Disease Ratings

DECEMBER DECEMBER 2021 2021

||

RICE RICE FARMING FARMING

23 23

RiceTec* Products*

RT7321 FP

RT7521 FP

RT7421 FP

RT7523 FP

XP753

RT7301

FullPage

Technology Traits

RT7401

RT7501

RT7801** RTv7231 MA RT7331 MA

Conventional

Max-Ace

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Long Grain

Avg. Yield Advantage (RiceTec Trials)

25%

24%

24%

24%

27%

27%

26%

22%

20%

31%¹

49%¹

Milling Average

55/70

54/70

57/70

56/70

55/70

55/70

57/70

54/69

57/70

53/68

55/70

Maturity Group

Early

Medium

Medium

Medium

Early

Early

Medium

Medium

Mid/Late

Early

Early

Days to 50% Headed

82

84

84

85

82

82

84

84

90

79

81

Days to Grain Maturity

112

114

114

114

112

112

114

114

121

109

111

Grain Type

Agronomic Characteristics Stress Tolerance

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Average

Excellent

Pubescence

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Absent

Present

Height (inches)

46-50

44-48

44-48

42-44

42-46

42-46

44-48

42-44

44-48

40-44

46-50

Standability

Below Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Average

Grain Retention

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Ratoon Potential

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Management Recommendations Total Nitrogen (lbs of N)

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

Preflood

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

Late Boot

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

Disease Characteristics R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MR

MS

MS

Straighthead

S

MS

MS

MS

S

S

MS

S

MS

S

S

Kernel Smut

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

S

MS

False Smut

MS

S

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Bacterial Panicle Blight

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

S

MR

Sheath Rot

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

VS

MR

Narrow Brown Leaf Spot

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

S

MR

Blast Sheath Blight

Stem Rot

*RiceTec seed characteristics and performance are determined from data collected from specific RiceTec and/or university field trials and are not a guarantee of performance nor do they constitute a warranty of fitness for a particular use. **High amylose and low gel temp; 1Comparison vs. PVL02

24

RICE FARMING

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RICEFARMING.COM

Specialists

2021 proved to be one of the most challenging seasons yet DR. RONNIE LEVY

LOUISIANA Extension Rice Specialist Louisiana State University RLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu Many rice farmers have told me that 2021 will go down as one of the most agronomically challenging seasons they ever witnessed in their careers. The simple answer is rain. It started before planting and did not consistently slow down until well after heading.

The frequent rainfall caused many early season problems. First and foremost was stand establishment. There was a very short window where the soil was dry enough to plant, which occurred during the early part of March. Most producers in south Louisiana scrambled to plant as much as they could during this brief window.

North Louisiana was not as lucky because the rain fell continuously. Many producers water planted not knowing if the rain

2021 California rice in the rearview DR. BRUCE LINQUIST CALIFORNIA UCCE Rice Specialist balinquist@ucdavis.edu

The severe drought that California is experiencing left its mark on most of the major areas discussed below. Foremost, due to the drought and limited water supplies, rice acreage was down roughly 20% below normal.

On average, California grows about 500,000 acres of rice; this year it was around 400,000. Due to the dry winter and spring, rice planting was a bit earlier, with 50% planted by May 9. Planting may have been even earlier. There were problems early in the season with water delivery, thus some fields were ready to flood but had to wait.

Water supply problems and increased groundwater use resulted in it taking longer than normal to flood a number of fields, leading to weed issues — particularly grass weeds. While weeds were a problem, pressure from other pests and diseases were low (diseases including blast and armyworm) to average (tadpole shrimp).

One exception was the rice seed midge, which was a bigger problem this year than we have previously seen. Wildfires during grain-fill did result in reduced solar radiation and unpleasant outdoor working conditions; however, we have not seen this to negatively impact rice yields. As I write this in late October, 95% of the rice has been harvested and overall the season was dry, allowing growers to cut in a timely manner.

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

Speaking

would ever stop. The frequent rainfall continued, causing many of the newly emerged seedlings to become submerged.

We felt confident that in most situations, seedlings could survive for eight to 10 days. Another problem with the early season rainfall was with preflood nitrogen (N) fertilization. Preflood N should be applied on dry ground, and then the field should be flooded as quickly as possible to maximize fertilizer efficiency.

In Louisiana, we saw an early and very high leaf blast incidence in several varieties. The blast pressure was so great that many producers opted to make two fungicide applications for the disease.

If you couple nitrogen fertilizer deficiencies and excessively cloudy weather during the first three to fourth months of the season, the result suggested a lower-than-normal yield. Fortunately, the rains started to slow during the beginning of harvest.

Dry conditions during harvest reduced rutted fields and aided establishment of a ratoon crop. The state average yield has not been determined, but it is expected to be about 6,900 pounds per acre, slightly lower than the record yields that we saw in 2020. Not too bad considering it was one of the most challenging seasons ever!

The ratoon crop in south Louisiana is well underway, and most of it looks good! Ratoon yields may give our overall yield a boost this year.

Yields have generally been good to very good. In the yield contest we have been running for the past seven years, we are expecting to see some record yields. This is born out by anecdotal evidence from a number of growers reporting full field yields in excess of 115 hundredweight per acre.

Along this line, the new variety, M-211, has shown very high yield potential in previous years’ varietal tests and this year in farmers’ fields. Information on grain quality is not yet in, but I am guessing it is going to be on the low side for a number of reasons. They include periods of strong and warm north winds during harvest and that fields were not able to hold water as long this year, resulting in parts drying up early.

Northern California received record rainfall in late October.

California rice growers rely on winter flooding to decompose rice straw, so it is not a problem for land preparation or nutrient management the following season. However, they have been told that there is going to be limited water available over the winter for straw decomposition due to limited storage in the reservoirs.

Slow start, big finish!

DR. JARROD T. HARDKE

ARKANSAS Assoc. Professor/Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture jhardke@uada.edu The 2021 season was met with yet another wet spring. Regular, intermittent rainfall characterized the early part of the season as it did in 2019 and 2020. Field work occurred in short bursts but did DECEMBER 2021

|

RICE FARMING

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Specialists

Speaking

Greetings from the Bootheel DR. JUSTIN CHLAPECKA MISSOURI Assistant Research Professor/ Rice Extension Specialist University of Missouri jchlapecka@missouri.edu

Hello from the Portageville metropolitan area and the Fisher Delta Research Center! The University of Missouri rice program has been MIA, but it’s my privilege to have taken on the role as rice Extension specialist beginning Aug. 1. As you may have read previously, through a new partnership between the University of Missouri and the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council, we hope to facilitate a breadth of applied rice research for years to come.

With early estimates approaching 250,000 acres of rice planted, the latest numbers are back down to earth and show 194,000 harvested acres. About 96% of these acres were long grain.

Many growers struggled to find rice below 20% moisture for the first couple weeks of September, but levels fell rapidly with a passing cold front shortly after.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: Rice Farming 2. Publication Number: 0194-0929 3. Filing Date: October 2021 4. Issue Frequency: Jan – May and Dec 5. Number of Issues: 6x/year 6. Annual Subscription Price: Free to qualified subscribers 7&8. Mailing Address of Known Office/Headquarters: 875 W. Poplar Ave., Ste. 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 Contact Person: David Boyd (901-626-1730) 9. Publisher: Lia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 Editor: Vicky Boyd, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Ste. 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 10. Owners: Cornelia Guthrie, 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Dr. David Scott Guthrie, Sr., 7100 Black Bart Trail, Redwood Valley, CA 95470; Morris Ike Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159; Mary Jane Lamensdorf, 17 S. Third St., Rolling Fork, MS 39159 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning/Holding 1% or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: May 2021 15.a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): (Average No. Copies each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 6,512) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 6,490) 15.b.(1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 3,352) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 3,069) 15.c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 3,352) (No. Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date – 3,069) 15.d.(1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 2,987) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 3,264) 15.d.(4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 0) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date -0-) 15.e. Total Nonrequested Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 2,987) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 3,264) 15.f. Total Distribution: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 6,339) (No Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 6,333) 15.g. Copies Not Distributed: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months - 173) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date - 157) 15.h. Total: (Average No. copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 6,512) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 6,490) 15.i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months – 52.9%) (No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date – 48.5%) 18. I certify that all information furnished above is true and complete.

Lia Guthrie, Publisher

26

RICE FARMING

|

DECEMBER 2021

Writing this in late October, most of the rice is in the bin and fields will soon be full of ducks. Well, geese anyway.

Grain yield has been exceptional for the area as a whole. Several producers have noted this year to be one of, if not the, best rice crops of their career in terms of grain yield. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service is estimating Missouri’s average rice yield at 178 bushels per acre. If it comes to fruition, it would be a record high average yield for the state and 8 bushels per acre above the 2021 national average.

While early milling yield reports suggested that Missouri might be a little more fortunate than our neighboring states, that hope did not last long. Reports of average to even premium head rice yield have transitioned to well below average. Reasons for the subpar milling yield are often left up for interpretation.

While rice acreage was right at average for 2021 and a record yield appears likely, don’t expect that to translate into higher 2022 acreage. The only certainty in the input markets right now is that whatever you plan to do, it isn’t going to be cheap. Urea futures continuing to climb, coupled with looming availability questions, do not bode well for any acreage that’s not soybeans.

To end on a happier note, I’m beyond blessed to be serving the rice industry in a new role and would love for you to reach out to me with any comments or questions. As always, eat MO rice!

allow growers to stay on an average planting pace compared to historical progress.

With the difficulties in finding planting windows along with competition from corn and soybean, rice acres were down. But they ended up higher than expected with about 1.2 million acres planted in 2021.

In early June, a tremendous rainstorm occurred across southeast and east central Arkansas, dropping as much as 20 inches of rainfall in 24 hours. Luckily, rice is more tolerant to flooding than other crops, but complete submergence for a prolonged period resulted in a loss of some rice acres. After the storm, summer shifted to a warmer, drier condition overall. Daytime highs through July and August were what we’re more accustomed to. Humidity remained very high and with it some periods of high nighttime temperatures, which can create issues with both yield and quality.

Insect issues stood out in the 2021 season as well. Fall armyworm infestations were widespread earlier in the season and gave way to increased rice stink bug pressure later in the season. For both pests, the state needed to apply to use additional insecticides due to control issues with existing options.

One of the more notable phenomena this year was a lag in crop development created

by an unseasonable cool snap around Memorial Day when several days with lows in the 50s were experienced. While the crop was technically still accumulating heat units for development, it clearly did not continue normal progress and was several days behind expectation for the remainder of the year.

In addition, high humidity and heavy dew in August and September seemed to prevent grain moistures from falling to allow harvest on an otherwise mature crop. This seemed to be partly responsible for milling yield issues for most of the crop. Drier grains on the plant experienced long periods of constant wetting and drying, which leads to fissures in the kernels responsible for increased kernel breakage in milling (more brokens equals lower head rice).

The positive side has been actual grain yields. Reports to this point suggest the potential for a record state average yield.

For the past several consecutive years, the state average has hovered just below the record of 168 bushels per acre from 2013 and 2014. Widespread positive yield reports for 2021 suggest we could finally top that number. These higher grain yields will hopefully help offset some of the disappointment over milling yields and grade.

RICEFARMING.COM

© 2021 Loveland Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Dyna-Gro is a registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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UPL, the UPL logo and OpenAg are trademarks of a UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. ©2021 UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. RICE-2100

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