Rice farming jan 2015

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www.ricefarming.com

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

Experience pays off Knowledge of the land helps establish a plan

California bloggin’ Blanca Isabel purple rice

JANUARY 2015

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January 2015

Vol. 49, No. 2

www.ricefarming.com

COVER STORY

COLUMNS From The Editor

4

Frozen – not the movie – 54 years ago

Rice Producers Forum

6

8

Experience pays off

Mercosur expands its international rice trade

USA Rice Federation

12

Closing the gap in Central America

DEPARTMENTS Specialists Speaking

16

Variety Selection

Industry News

20

Rice business scene

Calendar

FEATURES 21

ON THE COVER: Frank Rehermann began farming rice in the Sacramento Valley in 1972.

Photo by Carroll Smith

Ag Technology supplement follows page 12.

California rice farmer Frank Rehermann uses his knowledge of the land to formulate a successful strategy for producing rice in the Sacramento Valley.

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Blanca Isabel Purple Rice Unique long-grain variety is developed, grown and marketed in Louisiana.

California Bloggin’ Thoughts on farmer appreciation and the return of rain.

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Rice Disease Relief In 2014 Disease resistance breeding efforts contribute to mild year.

RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

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RICEFARMING

representing

FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Copy Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Carol Watson cwatson@onegrower.com

ADMINISTRATION Publisher/Vice President Lia Guthrie (901) 497-3689 lguthrie@onegrower.com Associate Publisher Carroll Smith (901) 326-4443 Sales Manager Scott Emerson (386) 462-1532 semerson@onegrower.com Editorial Director Tommy Horton (901) 767-4020 thorton@onegrower.com Circulation Manager Janet Owens (229) 386-8809 Production Manager Kathy Killingsworth (800) 888-9784 kkillingsworth@onegrower.com For circulation changes or change of address, call (800) 888-9784

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, for $25.00 per year by One Grower Publishing LLC, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, TN 38119.

Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SUNBELT FULLFILLMENT SERVICES, 307 SOUTHGATE COURT, Brentwood, TN 37027-7987. International rates are $55.00 Canada/Mexico, $90.00 all other countries for Air-Speeded Delivery. (Surface delivery not available due to problems in reliability.) $5.00 single copy.

All statements, including product claims, are those of the person or organization making the statement or claim. The publisher does not adopt any such statement or claims as its own and any such statement or claim does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. RICE FARMING is a registered trademark of One Grower Publishing LLC, which reserves all rights granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in association with its registration.

© Copyright 2015

One Grower Publishing, LLC 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tennessee, 38119 Phone: 901-767-4020

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Frozen – not the movie – 54 years ago In 1961, representing more than half a century gone by, the United States severed all ties with Cuba, and U.S. rice began disappearing from Cuban dinner tables, grocery store shelves and restaurants. Prior to the embargo, Cuba was one of the largest markets for U.S. rice.

To remind those who were living during that time and educate those who were not yet born, the following historic events also took place throughout the same year: • John F. Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States.

• Ham the chimp was propelled into space to test the capsule as a precursor for United States astronauts who would later travel beyond the earth’s atmosphere.

• The Peace Corps was established.

• The Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion was attempted and failed.

• Six Flags Over Texas opened to the delight of both adults and children, who enjoyed the attractions while consuming 35-cent hamburgers.

• Actors George Clooney and Eddie Murphy were born, along with Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama.

Since then, Cuba has been described as a time warp, a blast from the past where time appears to stand still, according to anecdotal information reported by those who have visited the island country that lies only 90 miles from the Florida Keys. One of the most prominent examples is the overwhelming presence of American cars from the 1950s that roll down the streets past local eateries rather than Starbucks coffee shops.

Now, fast forward to Dec. 17, 2014, when President Barack Obama announced his intention to begin “normalizing relations with Cuba.”

On that same day, the “USA Rice Daily” reported that Betsy Ward, president and CEO of the USA Rice Federation, said, “Since the mid-1990s, USA Rice has taken leadership among commodity groups in calling for an end to the economic and travel embargo on Cuba, so we’re encouraged by today’s announcement.”

Milo Hamilton, senior economist at Firstgrain, Inc., and author of When Rice Shakes the World, noted on Dec. 17, “I am hopeful, but less optimistic, that rice will go to Cuba in the near term. However, if it does, it probably will be backed with funds from the United States, not a private commercial transaction at this point. The good news is that we are closer to opening up Cuba than we were earlier this morning, that is for sure.”

And so, as the hands on Cuban clocks begin to move once more, pots of water on Cuban stoves start to boil in anticipation that U.S. rice soon will be there to fill them. Hopefully, the wait will be short, and they will not be disappointed.

Send your comments to: Editor, Rice Farming Magazine, 1010 June Road, Suite 102, Memphis, Tenn., 38119. Call (901) 767-4020 or e-mail csmith@onegrower.com.

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“U.S. rice has improved in terms of whole grain, but we are still having problems with the quantity of chalk and cooking. The United States had very good quality rice in the past, so we expect that same quality today.”

– Jose Tudo

RICE

QUALITY MATTERS Jose Tudo Business Manager of Arrocera OMOA El Salvador Rice is one of the principle staples in El Salvador for the nutritional value and for the price. Because of these two factors, rice quality is our highest priority. When we talk about quality, we are referring to good flavor, good color (white, of course), a very low percentage of chalk and a very good smell. These parameters influence the price that we are willing to pay. Good rice equals good prices.

In our efforts to procure paddy rice, the United States was, and is, the most important commercial partner in this business.

Logistically, the United States is closer than the other countries that provide us rice, and there is a great demand for U.S. rice.

Over the past year, U.S. rice quality has improved, but it is still not at the level that we would like it to be, especially in regard to chalk. U.S. rice has improved in terms of whole grain, but we are still having problems with the quantity of chalk and cooking.

We have realized big economic losses from the chalk problem.

There is a difference in what the USDA says is chalk and what the customers think is chalk here in Central America. When asked what the United States can do to make us more satisfied as a

ricequalitymatters.com

Good Rice Equals Good Prices customer of U.S. rice, I am giving the response in the name of El Salvador and all other Central American countries.

We would like the USDA to certify all shipments of rice from the USA to Central America to give greater credibility to the quality of rice sent to us.

Another way that the United States can help us be more satisfied customers is by modifying the interpretation of the term “chalk” inside the Rice Inspection Handbook of the USA, which to date is more subjective in nature rather than objective. For several years, FECARROZ has made this request to the USDA. Implementing these recommendations would make the definition of chalk more clear for all of the markets.

The United States had very good quality rice in the past, so we expect that same quality today.

FROM SEED TO SHIPPING • Quality parameters influence the price that we are willing to pay for U.S. rice.

• One way the United States can help us be more satisfied customers is by modifying the interpretation of the term “chalk” inside the Rice Inspection Handbook of the USA.

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RICE PRODUCERS

FORUM

Mercosur expands its international rice trade This market situation deserves attention for supply potential and ability to set prices.

By Tiago Barata Owner/Publisher of Agrotendencias Ltda – a rice market analysis publication focused on the Mercosur market Sao Gabriel, RG, Brazil Advisory Group, USRPA A yearly contributor to the Rice Market & Technology Convention

M

ercosur (not only the member countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, but equally the associated countries – Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) has been broadening its relevance in the global rice market.

Commercial Flow Status Representing slightly more than three percent of the global production may look insignificant, but it is the biggest source of supply outside the Asian continent. More than its importance in size, the share of the Mercosur countries in the international market deserves attention for its supply potential and ability to set prices.

The commercial flow within the bloc continues intense, but an increase of sales to the foreign market outside Mercosur is evident. Argentina and Uruguay, which historically used to supply almost exclusively the Brazilian market, began to prospect new markets and now some of their major clients are located in the Middle East and Central America.

Brazilian Exports Brazil, after becoming self-sufficient, began to increase its exports, where the main destinations are African and Central American countries. Paraguay, taking advantage of unparalleled production conditions (water, soil, climate and well trained producers), has been steadily expanding its crop and is now shipping approximately half a million tons to the Brazilian market, with a strong competitive edge compared to the local product.

Just like this year, the next commercial year should be marked by rice supplies extremely adjusted to demand in Mercosur.

The high production costs, as well as some unexpected climate adversities, were a

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factor that prevented the main rice-producing countries from achieving production potentials. Internally, prices are supposed to continue showing a stable trend.

In Brazil, the average price of a bag of paddy rice in the main producing region has soared 11 percent since the beginning of the commercial year (March 2013). The expectation is for the crop to keep its present value, although it is necessary to consider that this price is very close to its top price limit.

Factors Affecting Rice Prices Currently, the main price-limiting factor in the Brazilian domestic market has to do with the commercial relation between the rice milling industries and the retail networks, which are beginning to resist absorbing new price increases.

On the other hand, the soaring value of the dollar is playing a fundamental role in the assurance of the competitive edge of Brazilian rice in the foreign marketplace.

Since the beginning of the commercial year, in spite of the higher value of the cereal in local currency (Real), the price of the product experienced a reduction of three percent in dollar terms, thanks to the 14-percent higher value of the North American currency compared to the Real.

With minimal chances for a government intervention, in light of an extremely reduced public stock, the trend is for the exchange rate to dictate the price of rice in the Brazilian market. Higher values in the domestic market are supposed to keep pace with compensations via increases in exchange rates. With restrained internal demand and resistance to any higher prices, the price potential will depend on the maintenance of Brazil’s competitive edge in the foreign market.

Please visit www.agrotendencias.com.br.

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Rice Consultant’s Corner

Stick To Field-By-Field Strategies In 2015 Carl Fannon Simon Says, Inc. Holly Grove, Ark. When I was a young teenager looking for something to do to make extra money, Jeff Calloway, an independent seed and chemical dealer in Holly Grove, hired me to “sweep up.” Later, he sent me out with his representatives to help me learn the consulting business. I worked for and learned from Jeff for 13 years before taking a job at a Terra location when I was 26. Ten years later, I left to start my own consulting business – Simon Says, Inc. – in 1998. While I was at Terra, ag pilot Randy Everett jokingly said that farmers couldn’t make a decision without “Simon” telling them what to do. He always called me Simon instead of Carl, so I ran with it when I opened my own company.

In looking back at last year, we didn’t have a lot of hot weather. It was cool and wet, which delayed planting dates two to three weeks, resulting in some late rice. Because we didn’t have optimum heat units as the rice got closer to maturity, our yields were off some in 2014 compared to what we harvested in 2013.

Barnyardgrass And Red Rice Control Barnyardgrass is the No. 1 weed in our area, followed by red rice.

The program that we normally use for this pest is to come in with Super Wham, then apply Grasp or Grasp Xtra with Facet when we go to flood. In places where we have continuous rice, sprangletop issues or escaped barnyardgrass, we apply RebelEX once the flood is established to take care of any weed issues at this time. It’s one of my goto products. Sometimes we make this application later, but most of the time we come in with RebelEX after we have a flood established.

Where dayflower is becoming a problem, most of the above-mentioned herbicides do a pretty good job of controlling it, too.

If red rice is present, farmers plant Clearfield varieties and use Newpath to fight this weed. Where pigweed shows up on the levees, we try to take it out early with propanil when making a blanket aerial application. In some places, we can still put out 2,4-D at mid-season, but most of the pigweed is controlled early with propanil. However, in some cases, farmers do have to spray the levees individually.

Field-By-Field Philosophy Remains In Place For insect control, we rely on seed treatments to take care of rice water weevils. Where we have a moderate number of rice stink bug, we piggyback an insecticide with a fungicide application just prior to heading to try to save an application if we can wait that long.

Although plans can change between now and planting, I believe we will see an increase in rice acres this year. My strategy for 2015 is to continue using a field-by-field approach when making recommendations to give my farmers the most bang for their buck.

Sponsored By

• Began scouting rice as a young teenager under the guidance of Jeff Calloway, an independent seed and chemical dealer • Established Simon Says, Inc. in 1998 • Consults in Phillips, Monroe and Arkansas Counties on rice, soybeans, corn and wheat • Member of the Airport Commission Board in 2004 • Member of Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church • Married to wife, Angie, for 33 years • Two grown children: Jared, (wife, Kelsey); Ashtyn • Enjoys hunting and fishing

Recap: Stick To Field-By-Field Strategies In 2015

▼

1.The 2014 season was cool and wet, which delayed planting dates two to three weeks, resulting in some late rice.

2. The program that we normally use to combat barnyardgrass – – the No. 1 weed in our area, is to apply Super Wham, followed

by Grasp or Grasp Xtra with Facet when we go to flood.

3. In places where we have continuous rice, sprangletop issues or escaped barnyardgrass, we apply RebelEX once the flood is established to take care of any weed issues at this time. It’s one of my go-to products.

4. Where dayflower is becoming a problem, most of the abovementioned herbicides do a pretty good job of controlling it, too.

5. If red rice is present, farmers plant Clearfield varieties and use Newpath to fight this weed.

6. Where pigweed shows up on the levees, we try to take it out early with propanil when making a blanket aerial application. In some places, we can still put out 2,4-D at mid-season.

7. For moderate numbers of rice stink bug, we piggyback an insecticide with a fungicide application just prior to heading.

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Experience Pays Off Value found in knowledge of the land

By Carroll Smith Editor

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t certain times of the year, gusty winds howl across Cal- M-206 And M-205 ifornia’s Sacramento Valley, known for its rich adobe When he began farming rice in 1972, varieties were much differclay soil and home to the Sutter Buttes, described by ent, Rehermann says. They were tall statured, and the early maturing many as the smallest mountain range in the world. For ones were very susceptible to lodging. Rehermann recalls years when generations, farmers have grown rice in this area of the state, and he harvested whole fields with rice flat on the ground. producer Frank Rehermann is no exception.

“The good thing about M-205 is that it yields well and mills well,” In 1972, fresh from the Navy, Rehermann began his journey as a he says. “It has all of those characteristics, plus it is more resistant to California rice farmer with lodging than M-206. Howthe assistance of his fatherever, M-206 is also a good in-law, Ron Harrington. yielder and a good miller.

One piece of property that When it’s ready to harvest, they farmed was owned by you best be ready because the Righero brothers, who the moisture will drop originally began the pretty quickly. On the process of wrestling the other hand, some M-205 unleveled ground with may have a lot of sucker sloughs running through it heads down low on the into good, farmable rice plant, and those take a long fields. Later, using an old time to mature.

D-7, Rehermann continued “I’ve planted 100 perstraightening the levees cent M-205 in the past at throughout the property to Live Oak, but it’s a couachieve greater efficiency. ple degree days cooler Today, he knows those down there than it is up fields well and has used here in Riceton,” Reherthat knowledge to help mann notes. “In my amashape his rice production teur weather observations, strategies.

After enjoying a personal all-time high yield in 2014, Rehermann is hopeful that I notice that the daily high Rehermann has to be he will have an adequate water supply for the 2015 season. “The rain that we got in Oroville is always highmobile because his opera- in December was a good start, but the heaviest rainfall months are in January and er than it is in Marysville. tion is spread out, encom- February,” he says. “We are hopeful that we will experience at least a normal rain- And conversely, the passing property at Live fall year, which would be somewhere in excess of 20 inches.” overnight low is always Oak, the Riceton area and higher in Oroville than it the White Ranch – located on the other side of Richvale – that he is in Marysville, so I had difficulty getting the M-205 to mature. I had began leasing from Minnie May White in 1973. In all, Rehermann to start harvesting down there, then move north about 25 miles to farms 900 acres of rice, planting 50 percent to M-206 and the remain- Riceton, which is one of the perils of being spread out. But we do have der to M-205. good equipment. I have a 2005 Lexion combine with rubber tracks that

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I bought in 2010. I love to see it pumping the rice out.”

Rehermann’s preferred moisture level for harvest is 18 percent, although he will go as high as 20 percent.

“When the moisture goes above 20 percent, the shrink rate and the drying charges are pretty severe,” he explains.

Butte County Rice Growers Association (BUCRA) is conveniently located right across the highway from Rehermann’s Riceton fields. It’s a well governed, well managed rice drying and storage farmerowned cooperative with a large solar array, which is used to generate electrical power.

“If the rice is dry enough at my Riceton location, I haul it there,” he says. “I try to take dry rice to BUCRA and the greener rice to Richvale. Either location is a very short haul. That’s a big advantage of being in this area. Another advantage of being located along the highway is if we get inclement weather, we are closer to the road. That’s why I generally like to start

Following harvest, Rehermann floods some of his fields, like the one in the background, to attract waterfowl looking for a suitable habitat. “On a cold, winter morning, I certainly enjoy seeing and listening to some of the birds that fly in,” he says. “I am mindful that there are many people in this world who don’t get to witness something like that.”

The Butte County Rice Growers Association rice drying and storage facility is conveniently located right across the highway from Rehermann’s Riceton property.

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harvesting in the north and work my way down.

“It’s the little things that you pick up over the years from having experienced them,” he adds.

Incorporating Rice Straw In addition to improved varieties, Rehermann says another game changer for California rice production was the practice of incorporating rice straw into the ground in the fall instead of burning all of the fields.

In 1991, the Connelly-Areias-Chandler Rice Straw Burn Act was passed, which amounted to a phasedown from burning 100 percent of your rice straw to 25 percent of what you grow based on the state’s acres of production.

“I can’t burn more than 25 percent of my acres, and I have a difficult time burning that because I still have to meet the other requirements, such as designated burn days and my place on the burn list,” Rehermann says. “In the fall of the year, the number of burn days granted by the state is reduced quite a bit from what is allowed in the spring because of air quality considerations. In 2014, I burnt a small field, which is nowhere near 25 percent of what I grow. But that’s fair.

The law applies to everybody, so I am not unique in this regard.”

In order to properly prepare a dry seedbed in the spring, Rehermann typically makes six tillage trips across the field for a total cost of about $100 per acre. Although it’s an expensive process, the better job you can do of getting the straw incorporated in the fall, the less you have to deal with it in the spring, he points out.

“It’s tough stuff,” Rehermann says. “But after the straw winters over and the seedbed is prepared, most of the time you hardly notice that it is there. However, this practice sometimes affects my production strategy in that it causes the heavy clay soil to stay wetter in the spring, which can delay planting a little more than normal.”

A Strong Finish Toward the end of September as the 2014 season drew to a close, Rehermann’s Lexion combine began cutting swaths across the fields in conditions described as “perfect rice harvest weather.”

“We had an excellent crop,” Rehermann says. “The state average yield was high, my personal average was an all-time high, and the quality was great. The 2014 season turned out very well, especially when viewed against the backdrop of our spring concerns of not having enough water to produce a crop.”

As Rehermann looks forward to his 43rd rice-growing season, he notes that through the years he has enjoyed the support of his wife, Judy, a farmer’s daughter who is now a schoolteacher. A fan of the blues, Rehermann also looks forward to making a trip to the Mississippi Delta to see where it all began. And he will be the first to say that his years of experience have not discouraged him, but rather inspired him and taught him to do what he does successfully to make a living in the Sacramento Valley.

“Everything has its upside and its downside, and rice farming is no exception,” Rehermann says. “But it’s something I love to do, and life goes on.”

Adjusting Rice Fertility Programs ‘Makes A Big Difference’ To help manage his rice crop, from winter planning sessions all the way through the season, Rehermann depends on the advice of Eric Benzel, a PCA with Big Valley Ag Services in Gridley.

“The members of the family from which Eric comes are long time friends of my family,” Rehermann says. “Right after World War II, my father worked for Eric’s great-grandfather.

They would harvest plots of rice and small grains for farmers who didn’t have their own combines. Custom harvesting, it would be called today. I make this point to illustrate that we are all ‘old time Live Oak people.’

“Eric keeps impeccable notes on each field – what we did on what day and the amount of materials that were applied. His efforts make it much easier for me because there are a lot of details involved in running a rice operation.”

Rehermann points out that when he began farming in the early 1970s, rice nutrition programs weren’t as good as they are now. Benzel, who studied under Extension rice agronomist Cass Mutters, works with Rehermann to recap the previous season and put a plan together going forward for practices such as fertility programs, weed control and water management. In particular, Benzel adjusted Rehermann’s fertility program to balance nutrition across the fields and offset the effects of incorporating straw.

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Eric Benzel, right, is a PCA with Big Valley Ag Services in Gridley, who works with Rehermann throughout the season.

“Incorporating straw does a couple of things that affect the fertility program,” he says. “First, it keeps moisture in the ground a lot longer, so it’s more difficult to dry out the field once we open it up. Also, there may be certain places in the field where we didn’t get the straw incorporated adequately, which may show up later as short, green spots where a late nitrogen release occurred.

“The good thing about working with Frank, who has been on these properties for so long, is that he knows the dirt and where the cuts and fills are,” Benzel adds.

“With his knowledge of the history of the ground, we can achieve a good nutritional balance across the fields without over fertilizing an area. We try to even it all out, which makes a big difference.”

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Blanca Isabel Long-grain purple rice developed, grown and marketed in Louisiana

By Carroll Smith Editor

I

n 1998, Dr. Milton C. Rush, a plant pathologist with LSU AgCenter, was looking for a rice variety with a natural resistance to sheath blight. In doing so, according to LSU rice breeder Dr. Steve Linscombe, Rush introduced a purple grain line into his program that he thought might have higher levels of sheath blight resistance.

What ultimately occurred was something else entirely. As noted on purpleblackrice.com, when Rush crossbred a common Louisiana long-grain variety (Cypress) and a purple/black kernel variety from Sri Lanka (Hitan Kitan), he developed a new, high-yielding, early long-grain purple rice variety that he named Blanca Isabel. It is unique in that it has the cooking qualities, texture and taste of long-grain white rice and the health benefits of purple rice.

“The rice is purple simply because it has a gene for a purple grain,” Linscombe says. “The purple grain trait came from one parent, and the grain remains purple all the way through. The AgCenter attempted to market the line, but no one expressed an interest. When that is the case, the inventor is given approval to develop commercialization for the product, and LSU released the rights to Dr. Rush.”

to buy Blanca Isabel for its cooking qualities,” she says. “Unlike brown rice, Blanca Isabel cooks just like white rice. Plus, it has the same texture as white rice and tastes like white rice.”

Realizing A Dream

South Louisiana rice producer Fred Zaunbrecher has grown Blanca Isabel for the Rush family for four years.

“We grew 10 acres the first year, 27 acres the second year, 100 acres in 2013 and 300 acres in 2014,” Zaunbrecher says.

“From all indications, we will probably grow another 300 acres this year.”

After her father passed away, Claudia and her family have continued to grow the business. Claudia points out that they primarily sell the purple rice as a milled, packaged product that is milled and packaged in the Crowley/Rayne area.

“Right now, Blanca Isabel is being sold in stores throughout south Louisiana and in a few stores in Texas and Mississippi,” South Louisiana producer Fred Zaunbrecher holds a handful of she says. “People can buy Blanca Blanca Isabel that was grown on his farm. Even after it has been Isabel online through Amazon or can call us directly. We also are cooked, Blanca Isabel maintains its brilliant purple color. beginning to sell Blanca Isabel in bulk to restaurants and industri“Blanca Isabel is very heart-healthy, can help lower cholesterol and, because of its high al food facilities.

Health Benefits “My dad worked at the Rice Research StaAfter retiring from LSU, the former plant antioxidant levels, can help protect against pathologist opened Rush Rice Products, LLC, carcinogens. Additionally, the rice has been tion in Crowley for 39 years, and developing a family owned company in Baton Rouge, shown to be good for diabetics. Research such a high-quality, healthy rice was his to produce and market Blanca Isabel. In addi- done by the Pennington Biomedical Research dream,” Claudia says. “He made us promise tion to its attractive purple color, the variety Center indicates that Blanca Isabel can be that if the business takes off that we will keep typically has high levels of the same antiox- a good diabetic diet choice as it doesn’t raise the rice production in Louisiana. He was a idants found in blueberries, green teas and a diabetic’s sugar levels the way white big supporter of Louisiana rice farmers.”

To learn more about Blanca Isabel, please rice does. red wine.

“Many of our diabetic customers also like visit www.purpleblackrice.com.

Claudia Rush, Dr. Rush’s daughter, says, RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

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RICE FEDERATION

UPDATE

Closing the gap in Central America USA Rice Federation is the problem solver for the industry.

By Betsy Ward President and CEO USA Rice Federation

FECARROZ members address the audience during the general session at the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Ark.

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ne of the most valuable players any organization can have is a Problem Solver. Whether you are talking about business, sport or philanthropy, people who tackle problems head on and offer up solutions are the ones who can truly impact the bottom line. As the national trade organization for the U.S. rice industry, the USA Rice Federation is the problem solver for the industry.

Well, our industry has a problem in Central America. While overall rice imports to the region are up 13 percent in the first 10 months of 2014, over the same period in 2013, the U.S. share of those imports is declining. Significantly.

O

to address conference attendees.

Mr. Mario Solorzano, the current President of the FECARROZ from Guatemala, delivered the joint presentation in which he laid out significant concerns with the quality of U.S. rice, specifically the high chalk content and lower amylose content that results in long grain rice being “sticky” rather than loose and fluffy. He also expressed concern about milling yield difficulties they have been having of late.

All members of the delegation had similar concerns, and although they also all indicated that they would like to maintain the trading relationship with the U.S., these continuing problems were forcing them to look to other origins.

Informal Meeting A Success

‘Common Frame Of Reference’

To enhance the dialogue between exporters and importers, and learn the true nature of the problems and search for common ground, USA Rice invited members of FECARROZ, the Federation of Central American Rice Industry, to participate in our annual USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Ark., in early December.

While we understand what is driving the decision, we want to do what we can to change their minds and get them all back in the U.S. rice camp.

To that end, the private dialogue we had between Central American importers and millers and the U.S. producers, millers and merchants, was an excellent step.

The rice industries from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua accepted the invitation and sent either the current president or immediate past president of their respective rice industry associations to the meeting.

We set up an informal meeting between the delegation and our membership, but also gave this important customer group a large block of time in our general session

The meeting attendees agreed to more regularly exchange technical information so that we can all have a common frame of reference when it comes to things like defining chalk levels. This will, of course, better enable us to identify what commercial U.S. rice supplies will meet the customers’ preferred specifications.

To learn more, visit www.usarice.com.

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Crop Insurance Q&A Risk management tool sparks questions from farmers

Editor’s Note: When the new Farm Bill was signed into law, the spotlight beamed brightly on crop insurance. Ethan Branscum, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Assistant Director of Commodity Activities & Economics offers answers to frequently asked questions regarding this risk management tool in today’s ag environment.

Q. Why is crop insurance a new focus for rice farmers today as compared to where it ranked in importance in the past?

A. The new Farm Bill changed the focus of risk management for all farmers, including rice farmers. Now, crop insurance has become the main risk management tool. Policy makers have eliminated the farm programs under previous Farm Bills and placed more emphasis on crop insurance through new programs for farmers to help manage their risk.

Q. Why is crop insurance not viewed favorably in the Delta?

A. In the Delta, we are blessed with the ability to irrigate our crops on a large scale. This is one reason why we are so efficient at growing rice. Crop insurance probably doesn’t work as well in the Delta because farmers are going to have fairly consistent yields every year due to irrigation. Farmers make large investments to irrigate crops, and some farmers see this investment as a self-insurance mechanism for the crop. Crop insurance works really well for Midwestern agriculture, and the Midwest does not have the luxury of water that the Delta has. We hope that crop insurance can be changed to become a useful tool for Southern agriculture as well.

Q. Which insurance option seems to best fit rice production and why? Yield Protection or Revenue Protection?

A. I will give you the greatest answer for every question – “It depends.” Location and past production history definitely play a major role in determining the best insurance program for rice acres, but I would say that in

By Ethan Branscum Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation

general, Revenue Protection is going to be the more popular program for rice farmers.

This goes back to a farmer’s ability to irrigate the crop. If the weather is close to favorable and a farmer has plenty of water to irrigate, Yield Protection does not make much sense.

The farmer needs protection on the price variation that could occur in a marketing year and this can be captured with Revenue Protection. However, there are some scenarios where Yield Protection would make more sense for a rice farmer.

Q. Where does CAT coverage fit in today’s crop insurance environment?

A. CAT coverage is extremely affordable ($300 per policy) but you shouldn’t purchase CAT and expect to get an indemnity payment every year since it is only a 50 percent coverage-level policy. CAT exists to protect against “catastrophic” and devastating events, and for the price, it seems worth it to invest in this policy as a minimum coverage level.

CAT is very popular in the South because it is inexpensive and most producers are not expecting a return from crop insurance anyhow. In the Midwest, CAT is not as popular because farmers are enrolling in true Yield Protection or Revenue Protection plans.

Q. Does cultivar selection affect crop

insurance outcomes?

A. On average, hybrid rice will trigger higher indemnity payments than conventional rice for both Yield Protection and Revenue Protection, according to University of Arkansas (U of A) research. Recently, the Agricultural Economics Department at the U of A researched this very question and found that cultivar selection (hybrid or conventional) will impact crop insurance outcomes for farmers. Hybrid rice cultivars have higher yield potential, but they also have higher yield variability, which could be the reason for higher indemnity payment potential with hybrids. When considering both yield potential and indemnity payment potential, hybrid rice produced higher farmer revenues on average.

Q. How is rice crop insurance different from other major commodities?

A. Rice crop insurance differs from other commodities because of the unique way that rice is marketed. Unlike other crops, rice is milled and a farmer’s revenue depends on the milling quality of his rice. Current crop insurance programs do not fully protect farmers against poor milling quality, which can occur from unfavorable weather events. A gap exists for which farmers are losing potential indemnity payments if their rice mills poorly (between 55 and 48 percent head rice yield). We would like to see a crop insurance program that fully protects rice farmers’ revenue risk associated with milling.

Researchers at the U of A have proposed a new revenue protection program for rice that eliminates this milling gap.

Q. What are the crop insurance deadlines that rice producers need to be aware of this year?

A. February 28 is the 2015 sign up deadline for rice crop insurance. Each state will vary on the early and late planting dates. Farmers should check with their local or regional Risk Management Agency offices to find out these dates.

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Thoughts on farmer appreciation and return of rain

This view of the Tisdale Weir following the big storm shows just how much water was generated during that period of rain – something we hadn’t seen in California in many years.

Editor’s note: The California Rice Commission represents the 2,500 family rice farmers and handlers who farm and process rice produced in California by engaging in a range of comprehensive regulatory, research and education programs. One of the features on their website is a guest blog where rice farmers and others associated with the industry share their thoughts and experiences related to California rice. Following are two recent posts by Tom Butler and Alycia Scheidel. To read more, please visit calrice.org.

The Return of Rain

By Tom Butler

T

his time of year, there is a Rice Outlook Conference involving the six states that produce rice. And for most of the California attendees, the top activity for the three days was to watch the weather back home. We had left for the conference after some welcome rain the week previous, and now there was promise of more. A lot more. More than we received in all of 2013.

And while the storm wasn’t as “epic” as it was hyped to be, it was a welcome change. The five inches of rain filled rain gauges, helped the decomposition of the remaining rice straw in the fields and filled bypasses and flood plains along the river.

It’s always a reminder how quickly it can change from dry to sloppy, and that we still have a long way to go, but it was nice to actually drive around during the rainy season and actually see rain. Also, after the water-short year, it’s a stark reminder as you watch the excess flow into the bypass, and eventually away without being stored, that further improvements are needed in our storage capabilities.

As for now though, we, the wildlife and the aquifers will take the rain.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA RICE COMMISSION

California Bloggin’

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Appreciating the American Farmer

By Alycia Scheidel

W

hen my father, a California rice farmer, asked me to accompany him to the 2014 USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Ark., I jumped at the opportunity. Being an avid traveler and having never stepped foot in Arkansas, I couldn’t resist the chance to explore a new city, and for a 23-year-old postgraduate, a free plane ticket is a rare and wondrous thing! I will admit that it was not my intention to attend any of the meetings; my plan was to disappear downtown, wander the city, with all its Southern charms, and make my grand reappearance in the evenings for the plethora of drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the conference receptions.

That first evening, I was given the opportunity to meet a number of truly fascinating individuals, all involved in the California rice industry, including Hartwig Schmidt, a Hamburg native and USA Rice’s regional director of international market development; Bruce Linquist, UC Extension rice specialist, originally from Africa; and Ted DeBraga, president of the California Wild Rice Advisory Board.

Monday, to the surprise of more than a few individuals, myself included, I attended all of the morning meetings, a steaming cup of coffee keeping me conscious and attentive. I had expected for the topics and information discussed in these sessions to fly far over my head and, at times, it admittedly did. However, I found myself very much engaged in the discussions, particularly when they turned to politics (a favorite subject of mine) and international rice consumption.

Lunch, that afternoon, took place in the Wally Allen Ballroom, where we were served chicken, steamed vegetables and, of course, wild rice. My table seated a number of pleasurable persons, including Tim Johnson, President of the California Rice Commission, and my cousins Kent and Kathryn McKenzie. Kent, also a California rice grower and researcher, was awarded the distinguished, “Industry Award,” for his many contributions in variety development.

It was very inspiring and more than a little humbling to be in the presence of so many wise and hardworking men and women. These are individuals who have, from the ground, etched a living for themselves and their families and who continue to feed not only our country but many countries on an international level.

In my travels, never have I come across a more honest and noble

profession than that of farming. It takes a special breed of man (and woman) to possess the patience to wait for a minuscule seed to turn into a profitable crop, all the while braving the elements – heat, frost, flood, drought – with the faith that something greater will come of it.

It is through rice, especially the California industry, that my entire life has been paved. Indeed, I have this small grain to thank for my education, my travels, my many interests and those material things that, sometimes, seem so necessary to have.

The conference ended Tuesday morning, and I found myself suddenly wistful. True, I probably knew the least about rice out of everyone in the conference, but I wasn’t ready for it to end. I was not ready to say good-bye to the many fascinating people whom had made my acquaintance.

If anything, this experience has reminded me how much I owe to farmers and how much America owes to them. They are truly the backbone on which this country is built, and, without them, I fear we would crumble.

Wendell Berry, the legendary author and farmer, once said,“Good farmers, who take seriously their duties as stewards of Creation and of their land’s inheritors, contribute to the welfare of society in more ways than society usually acknowledges, or even knows. These farmers produce valuable goods, of course; but they also conserve soil; they conserve water; they conserve wildlife; they conserve open space; they conserve scenery.”

Over the course of this conference, I have met many “good” farmers; I look forward to meeting more in my travels to come; and I will continue to promote the consumption of American rice from family farms.

God bless the farmer and God bless America.

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SPECIALISTS SPEAKING DR. DUSTIN HARRELL

You could not ask for two consecutive rice production seasons better than we have seen in the past two years in Louisiana! Record yields were achieved in 2013, and 2014 yields were not far behind.

The good yields, in part, can be explained by the mild temperatures and generally low disease pressure that we saw these past two years. These factors also played a part in the increased milling and overall grain quality that we saw this past year. Unfortunately, we have no idea what kind of weather or disease pressure we will see in 2015. However, we can select the rice varieties and hybrids that will give us the best chance to maximize both yield and grain quality if less than favorable conditions do occur.

The “2015 Rice Variety and Management Tips” publication contains all of the recommended varieties for 2015 Look for medium grain acres to be in high demand in 2015. Jupiter made up and is now available at all rice-producing parishes and on the approximately 14 percent of Louisiana’s acreage in 2014.

LSU AgCenter’s rice web page at www.lsuagcenter.com.

Market demand generally influences variety selection. For exam- due to declining acreage in California because of water issues. It is ple, medium grain acres in Louisiana increased from about four per- expected that medium grain rice acreage will probably maintain the cent in 2013 to about 14 percent in 2014. Most of this increase was acreage observed in 2014 and may actually increase slightly. So, I

Diversify to reduce yield loss potential

Spread risk in 2015 DR. BOBBY GOLDEN MISSISSIPPI Extension Rice Specialist bgolden@drec.msstate.edu The “Mississippi Rice Variety Trials” publication for 2014 is now available at the Mississippi Crop Situation blog (http://www.Mississippi-crops.com) and the new Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station variety trial website (http://mafes.msstate.edu/variety-trials/).

The document contains all small-plot variety testing data from 2014 as well as our disease reaction ratings and N fertilization suggestions for varieties represented in the trials.

Concerning varieties, it is often said that a bag of seed contains more potential than will ever be realized in the field. However, certain varieties perform better in differing production environments. Therefore, in my opinion, one of the most important decisions a producer can make is selecting a variety that will perform well under his/her set of production constraints.

There are numerous considerations to make when choosing a variety, with the first being a choice between Clearfield or conventional varieties. This would be closely followed by the question: Do I plant a hybrid or inbred?

Over the last several years, the lion’s share of acreage in Mississippi has been seeded in Clearfield rice. Multiple Clearfield

16 RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

varieties performed well in on-farm trials in 2014. On the conventional Clearfield side averaged across locations, CL151, CL111, CL142-AR and CL152 all performed well and should be considered.

The hybrids, CLXL729 and CLXL745, also performed well across environments in the 2014 Mississippi Rice Variety Trials. Keep in mind that incidence of ALS-resistant barnyardgrass and rice flatsedge have increased in Mississippi, and stewardship is of utmost importance to keep this technology viable in the future.

The blast disease issues encountered in 2014 should not be a deterrent to planting conventional varieties. Over the last several years, many conventional long-grain varieties have performed exceptionally well in Mississippi, with most being rated susceptible to blast.

In 2014, averaged across locations, LaKast produced the greatest yield of any conventional inbred long-grain variety. Cheniere, Mermentau, Rex and Roy J also performed well in 2014 and have a good yield history over the last several years. The lone conventional hybrid evaluated in 2014 “XL753” also produced well across the state and should be considered.

A wealth of data is generated each year on varietal performance across the Mid-South by universities and industry alike, but do not overlook perhaps the most important data in selection of a variety, which is past performance on your farm.

Remember that no single variety is the silver bullet, and spreading risk with multiple varieties and production systems is always a good practice.

KAREN BEARB/LSU AGCENTER

LOUISIANA Extension Rice Specialist dharrell@agcenter.lsu.edu

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SPECIALISTS SPEAKING guess this would be the best place to start in our variety discussions.

Jupiter and Caffey are the two recommended pure line medium grain varieties available. Both are semi-dwarf varieties, with Caffey possibly having an advantage in straw strength over Jupiter, although both are rated as moderately susceptible to lodging. Both have a good yield potential with Jupiter having a slight yield advantage there. Both are moderately susceptible to sheath blight and resistant to cercospora. Caffey is rated moderately resistant to blast while Jupiter is moderately susceptible. Typically, medium grain varieties are not the best ratooning varieties; however, I have heard of some excellent ratoon yields this past year from medium grain varieties, especially Jupiter.

There are two Clearfield medium grains recommended for 2015 if you need the Clearfield technology to combat red rice issues. These include CL261 and CL271. These two medium grain varieties are similar to Jupiter and Caffey in stature and maturity. Both have good yield potential, grain quality and are susceptible to sheath blight. CL261 is very susceptible to blast and bacterial panicle blight while CL271 is moderately resistant and moderately susceptible to blast and bacterial panicle blight, respectively.

There are five long-grain pure line varieties recommended for production in Louisiana for 2015. They include Catahoula, Cheniere, Cocodrie, Mermentau and Roy J. All five have excellent yield potential and grain quality. Roy J is considered a conventional height cultivar measuring around three to five inches taller and approximately three to six days later in maturity as compared with the other four recommended long-grain varieties.

Catahoula, Cheniere, Cocodrie and Mermentau are all considered semi-dwarf varieties with similar plant height (35 – 37 inches) and similar days to 50 percent heading (84 – 87 days) when planted in mid-March. Blast ratings from Dr. Groth indicate that Catahoula is resistant to blast, Cheniere and Cocodrie are moderately susceptible to blast, while Mermentau and Roy J are susceptible to blast.

Roy J is moderately resistant to sheath blight while Cheniere, Cocodrie, Mermentau and Catahoula are susceptible to sheath blight.

Cocodrie is very susceptible to bacterial panicle blight, while Cheniere, Mermentau, Catahoula and Roy J are considered moderately susceptible to bacterial panicle blight. Catahoula and Roy J are resistant to cercospora, Mermentau moderately susceptible to cercospora and Cheniere and Cocodrie are susceptible to cercospora. All have shown good ratoon potential although the earlier maturing varieties are more desirable when planting slightly later.

Three long-grain Clearfield varieties are recommended for 2015.

These include CL111, CL151 and CL152. CL111 was planted on more acres in Louisiana (33 percent) than any other variety or hybrid in 2014. CL111 is the earliest maturing of any of the recommended varieties with an average of three days earlier to 50 percent heading in statewide variety trials in Louisiana as compared with CL151 and five days earlier than CL152.

CL111 and CL152 have excellent grain quality while CL151 has an overall yield advantage. CL152 is rated as resistant to lodging, CL111 is moderately susceptible to lodging, while CL151 is susceptible to lodging. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications for CL151 should not exceed 130 pounds of N per acre to reduce lodging potential. However, even with the lower N recommendation for CL151, it still has superior yield potential.

CL151 is very susceptible to blast while CL152 is susceptible and

CL111 is moderately susceptible. CL111 is very susceptible to sheath blight while CL151 and CL152 are susceptible to sheath blight.

CL152 is moderately resistant to cercospora while CL151 and CL111 are susceptible. CL152 is moderately resistant to bacterial panicle blight while CL151 and CL111 are very susceptible to bacterial panicle blight. CL152 is also moderately resistant to straighthead and should be considered if you are planting on a recently land-leveled field or a historically straighthead susceptible field.

When selecting your varieties for 2015, remember that it is important to plant more than one or two varieties and/or hybrids each year.

This reduces the potential for large yield losses from a potentially unpredictable seasonal event that can affect one particular variety or hybrid more than another. The unexpected event could be a severe outbreak in one of the major diseases (blast or sheath blight), one of the minor diseases (cercospora or bacterial panicle blight) or even severe lodging brought on by late season weather events. You can’t predict the weather, but you can diversify your varieties!

M-105 doing well in yield and quality DR. BRUCE LINQUIST CALIFORNIA UCCE Rice Specialist balinquist@ucdavis.edu In California, most farmers grow medium grain varieties. Varietal selection is one of the first and most important decisions a rice grower will need to make each year. The commercially available medium rice varieties have been selected to meet the quality and yield standards for California medium grain rice. In making a decision, first consider the maturity class that fits into your farming operations and climatic zone.

There are three maturity classes: Very early (e.g. M-104, M-105), early (e.g. M-202, M-205, M-206, M-208) and late-maturing (e.g. M401, M-402 – both premium medium grains). Very early varieties are commonly grown in cooler areas and used for late plantings. Cool areas include the rice region south of Highway 20, east of Highway 99. Late-maturing varieties fit early planting schedules and are best for warmer areas. Early varieties are grown on the largest amount of acreage. With the use of M-202 diminishing, the principle varieties are M-205 and M-206 (M-208 in blast prone areas). They are Calrosetype medium grains and are generally higher yielding than other varieties and are suited to a wide range of planting dates. They reach 50 percent heading in 86 to 92 days after planting depending on planting date and temperature. Importantly, many of these newer varieties (M105, M205, M206) can be safely harvested at lower grain moisture content than the last generation of varieties (e.g. M202). This ensures higher grain quality but also increased flexibility in harvest operations.

The principle public varieties in the very early category are M-104 and M-105. M-105 is a new variety showing a lot of potential in terms of yield and quality. In 2014, where both varieties were grown side-by-side in variety trials, M-104 yields averaged 9,240 lb/A RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

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SPECIALISTS SPEAKING compared to 9,470 lb/A. Days to heading averaged 81 days for M-104 and 82 days for M-105.

Some growers choose to grow specialty rice varieties for a particular market in which certain grain characteristics and quality are more important than yield. This year, the Rice Experiment Station is releasing A-202. This variety is an aromatic long-grain rice and is a good replacement for A-301. A-202 has improved seedling vigor and is earlier maturing (nine days earlier to heading) than A-301.

Compared to A-301, it has also been shown to yield higher (on average by 18 percent) and have higher head rice yield.

Multiple cultivars DR. JARROD HARDKE ARKANSAS Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service jhardke@uaex.edu

Successful rice production, like production of any crop, is more successful as risk is minimized. In order to minimize the risks associated with rice production, it’s important to keep everything in moderation and plant a diverse selection of cultivars.

Each available cultivar brings a unique package of maturity, disease resistance, grain yield, and milling quality.

Selecting multiple cultivars allows for risk to be spread out, which ultimately increases the chances of a successful crop. Evaluating yield data across years can also help to select cultivars that perform more consistently and minimize risk.

As 2012 and 2013 gave us two environmental extremes for evaluating rice cultivars, 2013 and 2014 gave us two similar years that were still drastically different. The three-year dataset of 2012-2014 provides a good range of conditions across years and locations. One thing hidden by overall yield averages in any given year is that some cultivars perform better in certain locations – more location-specific information for cultivar performance can be obtained at

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http://www.arkansasvarietytesting.com/home/rice.

The highest-yielding cultivars over the past few years are presented in the included table. Among conventional long-grain cultivars, the RiceTec hybrid XL753 has been the highest yielder each year.

Roy J, LaKast, Taggart and Mermentau have also performed very well. XL753 has excellent yield potential and warrants consideration for growers who may be able to maximize the production potential of this cultivar. Roy J was once again the most widely planted conventional variety in Arkansas due to its yield potential and stalk strength, but its late maturity may prevent a further increase in acreage.

Mermentau saw a significant increase in acreage and many onfarm reports were positive, but yield consistency may be a concern.

LaKast is a new release available for 2015 that has shown consistently high yield potential in testing. It is similar to Roy J in many ways including yield potential, but matures 5-7 days earlier. Taggart has good yield potential and continues to be planted on some acres but has largely been underutilized.

For Clearfield cultivars, RiceTec CL XL729, RiceTec CL XL745 and CL151 all performed similarly across years. CL XL729 and CL XL745 have been consistent performers for several years and will continue to occupy a large amount of acreage, especially CL XL745.

CL151 continues to be a major player with excellent yield potential in the right situations. CL111 can perform better in some locations than average yields often indicate – due to the earliness of this cultivar, timely management is vital to producing optimum yields.

In the medium grain market, currently there are only two cultivars planted on many acres in Arkansas – Jupiter and Caffey. Jupiter has been an extremely successful medium grain, but Caffey has proven to be extremely competitive and can at times outperform Jupiter. Potential drawbacks of planting Caffey are that it is susceptible to bacterial panicle blight while Jupiter is moderately resistant, and Caffey has not received widespread approval from the food industry, which currently limits its demand.

Ultimately, planting multiple cultivars on your farm will spread risk and increase chances for a successful season. There are a number of additional cultivars available that perform well that are not included in the provided table.

While maximizing grain yield is the bottom line, be sure to focus on disease packages, milling yields, maturity and lodging resistance while looking for top grain yield. Try to put the right cultivar in the right field to avoid major problems – such as planting a cultivar that is very susceptible to straighthead in a field with a history of straighthead issues.

It is recommended that producers use all available informational resources to make the best decisions in selecting cultivars. Plenty of information is out there describing how cultivars perform in different locations and environments and should be used to the producer’s advantage.

Learning from the experience of your neighbors and consulting Extension specialists can also be vital in making successful planting decisions.

Plan for the worst, hope for the best and be prepared for what you get in 2015.

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SPECIALISTS SPEAKING

Varying opinions SAM ATWELL MISSOURI Agronomy Specialist atwells@missouri.edu Have you heard that farmers are independent thinkers? Our rice variety data gathering summary taken last week for 2014 certainly reflects the different thinking of Missouri farmers have about choosing rice varieties to plant on their farms. They have very good reasons for needing diverse varieties that fit their specific conditions and situations. Some want short and some tall, some early and some later. Some want hybrids for better disease resistance and some want the Clearfield weed trait, while some want less expensive seed so they can plant thicker. Some are seeking the best fit for row-rice and blast resistance.

We found that their selections were divided among 10 varieties and the top five were planted on about 65 percent of the 216,000 acres in Missouri. Since Southeast Missouri is the beginning of Mississippi Delta, our soils vary greatly from sand to Sharkey Clay.

About 50 percent of our soils are clay based with a thin layer of silt.

Many Missouri farmers think hybrid rice is a good fit for these soils where they often see a yield increase over conventional varieties.

They also like the disease package they get with the hybrids.

Others prefer varieties that tend to grade better, which may give them a premium price. Most Missouri farmers are concentrating on quality with five percent medium grain with the remaining 95 percent being long grain. The remaining 50 percent of our soils are heavy clay or loamy, and many growers see conventional varieties a better fit.

2015 offers new varieties for consideration. Missouri has not finished analyzing 2014 variety data and, as usual, Missouri growers look to the University of Arkansas for rice variety data. We are all looking forward to exciting new varieties from LSU and UAR along with a new herbicide series from Horizon Ag and BASF. Southeast Missouri is blessed with a very ample supply of fresh, clean, easy to pump, cheap water that recharges very quickly. Ninety-seven percent of Missouri rice is flood irrigated, three percent pivot or furrow. Ninety-five percent of our water is pumped from wells, five percent from streams. Ninety-five percent is drill or broadcast seeded and five percent water-seeded. This information causes farmers to choose varieties that best fit their specific situation.

Do your homework!

DR. M.O. “MO� WAY TEXAS Rice Research Entomologist moway@aesrg.tamu.edu The topic this month is variety selection for your 2015 rice crop. Obviously, selecting the proper rice variety for your situation is critical to growing a successful crop. I have often heard 50 percent of your yield potential is due to genetics and the other 50 percent is due to your

Dr. Rodante Tabien and Chersty Harper described the Texas rice breeding program at the CEA training workshop in Beaumont.

management. If you plan on planting a lot of acres, you may want to plant more than one variety to spread your risk (to compensate for less than expected results from one variety suffering from an unforeseen disease outbreak or other variety-related problem). I suggest you plant the majority of your acreage in a variety (varieties) with which you are familiar and the remainder of your acreage in recently released variety (varieties) that show promise.

Do your homework! Read the latest varietal information from universities, USDA and private seed companies. You can also speak directly with the scientists responsible for developing and evaluating these varieties. Talk with your neighbors to find out their ideas on varietal selection. If you plan on second cropping, review ratoon yield data for varieties under consideration. For instance, for Texas, Presidio is not the best main crop yield variety but has outstanding ratoon yield potential. The combination of main and ratoon crop yield for Presidio can potentially result in a very good total crop yield.

Another increasingly important factor is seed cost. The hybrids have excellent yield potential, but seed costs are high and, in a given situation, may outweigh the economic benefits of higher yields. In addition, seeding rates are trending downward and planting dates are trending earlier. This creates a significant challenge to producing a uniform, vigorous stand, which I believe is absolutely crucial to achieving maximum yields and quality in your rice crop. Thus, I strongly recommend planting seed treated with fungicides/insecticides/plant growth stimulants. Last year, I observed fields with uneven maturity resulting from non-uniform and weak emergence.

The following information (specific to Texas) is taken from the 2014 Texas Rice Crop Survey, which may help with your varietal selection decision making. Following are the most popular varieties in Texas in 2014 in descending order with average main crop yields (lb/A) in parentheses; ratoon yields are not yet reported: XL753(8749), CLXL745(7843), XP760(6705), Presidio(7127), CL152(6583), XL723(8723) and Antonio(7596). The milling yields (percent total, percent head) of the above varieties: XL753 = 72.5/59.5, CLXL745 = 71.3/59.0, XP760 = 69.4/51.8, Presidio = 71.4/58.4, CL152 = 70.1/60.5, XL723 = 72.8/61.3 and Antonio = 71.6/61.0.

The Texas Rice Improvement Association is selling Foundation Seed of the following varieties: Antonio, Colorado, Presidio, Sierra, Dixiebelle, Charleston Gold, Tesanai and Jasmine 85. To purchase this seed, call Brenda Setliff at (409) 752-5221.

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INDUSTRY NEWS MS Farm Bureau Internship Opportunity Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is offering a summer intern program for students who carry at least 12 credit hours and have a minimum junior classification in an agricultural field of study for the 2015 – 2016 school year.

The salary is $2,400, and the purpose of the internship is to give students an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge and an understanding of the role Farm Bureau plays in agricultural education, leadership and policy development.

The student selected for this program will begin June 1, 2015, and will work for a six-week period. The student will be based in Jackson at the state office of Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and an allowance for housing is being offered – $1,500 for the six-week period. Some travel will be expected; expenses will be paid for business travel. Applications must be received by Feb. 16, 2015.

Go to www.msfb.org to download an application and instructions for applying. For more information, contact Samantha Laird at (601) 573-7913 or slaird@msfb.org.

Rice Farming With Poppa Kara Puryear, whose father, Mark Hargrove, is a rice farmer in DeWitt, Ark., says there is no better way to grow up than growing up as a rice farmer’s daughter.

“My dad (Poppa) has been the epitome of hard work, good character, commitment and dedication to not just a job but to a way of life,” Kara says. “When my sister and I were little, rice farming was putting on ‘work clothes’ and boots to ride in the back of the truck, play in the mud and find snakes and mice under levee gates.

“Now that I am older and work for my dad and brother-in-law,

Jim Craig, on the farm, I see there’s so much more to rice farming than play,” she says. “Managing employees, finances and daily routines (not to mention the unmanageable weather!) is a nonstop task of worry and stress, but my dad has instilled in me value and faith of life on the farm. Having been raised on a firm foundation of value and faith, I can comprehend the benefits of being a rice farmer’s daughter and have no doubt that my niece, Caroline, will too be instilled with these qualities, learning from her dad Jim and her Poppa.”

Texas Agriculture To Benefit From Normalized U.S.-Cuba Diplomatic Relations Efforts to normalize United States and Cuba diplomatic relations will have potential positive implications for Texas agriculture, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Dr. Parr Rosson, who heads the agricultural economics department at Texas A&M University in College Station, said there will be immediate increases in the amount of U.S. food exported to Cuba.

“Within a year to two years, we should see U.S. exports to Cuba return to the $400 million to $450 million range,” he said. “The combination of allowing up to a four-fold increase in remittances along with an increased role for U.S. banks may lead to a 15 to 30 percent increase in U.S. food exports.”

Currently, Cuban-Americans and others are limited to remittance of no more than $500 per quarter to persons in Cuba. Rosson said under the new program, that limit would increase to $2,000.

Texas supplies Cuba with several export items, including chicken leg quarters and corn. Pork, cotton and dairy products produced in Texas are also exported there. More rice exports are also expected. A growing tourism market in Cuba has also sparked demand for items such as condiments, bottled water, beer, wine and spirits.

“These are products that we are seeing more interest in due to the growing tourism market in Cuba,” the economist noted.

Rosson said in addition to allowing U.S. and other travelers to use credit cards, this will boost demand for foods.

“Also expect to see the market for used agricultural equipment to increase,” Rosson said.

Workshops have previously been conducted to assist educating producers on export trade with Cuba, partnering with the TexasCuba Trade Alliance and Free Trade Alliance.

Louisiana Ratoon Crop Called ‘Outstanding’

I was helping my dad with levee gates one afternoon and my niece tagged along after school. I snapped this photo of Poppa teaching Caroline how to farm rice.

20 RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

Former LSU AgCenter rice specialist Johnny Saichuk said this year’s second rice crop in south Louisiana was outstanding. No records are kept for second crop yields, but Saichuk said it was not uncommon to hear of farmers cutting 20-30 barrels an acre. Years ago they only managed 5-10 barrels. Each barrel equals 162 pounds of rice.

Mild fall weather with good sunshine helped rice regrow after the first harvest. Even medium grain varieties, which typically are not high yielding for second crop rice, had good results, he said.

Farmers are treating the ratoon crop as an important part of their growing season. “You hear more people making a commitment to do things on time,” Saichuk said. “A lot of people realize they need the

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BRUCE SCHULTZ/LSU AGCENTER

INDUSTRY NEWS

A combine harvests second-crop rice at the Live Oak Farm in Vermilion Parish.

volume to make money.”

Heavy rains after the first harvest meant farmers didn’t have to pump as much water for the second crop.

Steve Linscombe, director of the LSU AgCenter Rice Research Station, said some farmers had their best second crop ever. With a good first crop and an excellent second crop, Louisiana’s overall harvest is close to last year’s record crop, he said. Farmers have treated the ratoon crop as a bonus in years past, but many are starting to manage the second crop better.

“I think our producers these days understand that if they manage the second crop as well as the first crop, they’ll see the dividends,” Linscombe said. “But a second crop will remain risky because of the chance of an early fall frost or a late season hurricane.”

Blackbirds also were a problem for the second crop in some areas because the rice was slow to develop.

2015 Southeast Missouri Crop Budgets And Agriculture Data Released David Reinbott, Agriculture Business Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, says the 2015 Southeast Missouri Crop Budgets, Crop Budgets with Crop Rent Analysis and other Agriculture data can be found at http://extension.missouri.edu/scott/crop-budgets.aspx. The crop budgets are in both Excel and PDF format.

On the Crop Budget Spreadsheet, there are Two Crop Decision Aid Worksheets to assist in making decisions on which crops to plant based on variable production costs and changes in yields and prices.

The Crop Decision Aid/Breakeven Worksheet calculates the yield and price between two crops that give equal net returns. Crop Decision Aid-Net Returns Worksheet calculates the net return between two crops based on changes in yield and price.

For more information, including the 2014 Farm Bill, please visit: http://extension.missouri.edu/scott/agriculture.aspx.

CALENDAR • Jan. 21: Cover crop, soil health workshop, Macon Ridge Research Station, Winnsboro, La. Registration and refreshments will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Tom H. Scott Extension & Education Center. The workshop starts at 9 a.m. Lunch provided at noon. Beatrix Haggard will lead the discussion. Contact Haggard at (318) 498-2967 or BHaggard@agcenter.lsu.edu.

• Feb. 11: 2015 Arkansas State University Agribusiness Conference, ASU Fowler Convocation Centers, Jonesboro, Ark. Contact Dr. Bert Greenwalt at bertg@astate.edu.

• Feb. 11-13: Louisiana Agricultural Technology & Management Conference, Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, La. This meeting is sponsored by the Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association. For more information, contact Denise Wright at denise@laca1.org.

• Feb. 23-25: 2015 USA Rice Government Affairs Conference, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC. (202) 5548588. For more information, contact Jeanette Davis, jdavis@usarice.com.

• Feb. 27-28: 63rd Annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Memphis Cook Convention Center, Memphis, Tenn. Call (901) 947-3104.

Please send any calendar announcements to csmith@onegrower.com.

RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

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Rice Disease Relief In 2014 Disease resistance breeding efforts contribute to mild year

By Bruce Schultz LSU AgCenter

D

isease in rice was not as big of a problem in 2014 for most growers as in previous years, according to LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Don Groth.

“With as much rain as we had, sheath blight wasn’t as bad as it could have been,” he said.

The cold winter of 2013-14 could have played a role in the low incidence of disease, Groth said, but the mild disease year can also be attributed to the direct result of breeding efforts that have selected for disease resistance.

That selection process took place over the course of several years.

“We have a lot fewer very susceptible and susceptible lines in our nurseries, and resistance is being increased in the breeding process,” he said.

Groth added that current high yields would not be possible without disease resistance.

Bacterial panicle blight wasn’t bad in 2014, according to the plant pathologist, because temperatures were moderate, and blast was not found until late in the growing season.

Blast resistance in variety development was increased with the bad outbreak of the disease in 2012, and that eliminated many blastsusceptible lines.

New Lines Look Promising Out of the almost 800 advanced lines he evaluated for the disease in 2014, Groth said, only four or five showed signs of severe blast.

Many of the lines susceptible to Cercospora have also been eliminated. Groth suspects many farmers are spraying for that disease, even though it may be unnecessary.

It’s likely that fungicide-resistant sheath blight is continuing its spread in south Louisiana, he said. “But we have the tools

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RICE FARMING • JANUARY 2015

Don Groth, LSU AgCenter pathologist, at right, talks with crop consultant Doug Leonards about disease symptoms during a field day at the Rice Research Station.

to manage it.”

The main line of defense, Sercadis, should be applied at 6.8 ounces an acre because the lower rate of 4.5 ounces does not last long enough, Groth said. Convoy fungicide also had good activity against both the wild and resistant sheath blight fungi.

Fungicide Use Groth tested six new fungicides in 2014, and he expects that two could be available by 2015 or 2016. “Some of them look really good,” he said.

But the new fungicides only have activity against sheath blight. “We really don’t have any new products for blast, and that has me worried,” he noted.

A generic version of Quadris Equation will be available in 2015 because the patent on azoxystrobin, the active ingredient, has expired.

Groth will start a study in 2015 to look at the benefit of fungicide use on currently available, moderately susceptible varieties compared with not spraying any of the products.

“There is a question if early planted moderately susceptible rice varieties need to be sprayed,” Groth said. “Somewhere along the line, we need to cut costs in rice production, and fungicide use is one possible area.”

Research on rice diseases is supported by funds provided through the rice checkoff program.

“This program has paid excellent dividends for 40 plus years and will continue to help the rice industry in the future,” said Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the Rice Research Station in Crowley and the AgCenter’s Southwest Region.

Contact Bruce Schultz at (337) 788-8821 or BSchultz@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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