With Higher Input Costs, Proven Varieties Are Critical
3-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
All expectations are that 2022 will be particularly challenging for Louisiana rice farmers and their counterparts across the South, especially when it comes to managing through the explosion in fertilizer costs and supply concerns this season.
A recently published report from Texas A&M University’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) estimates that fertilizer costs will be 80% more for farmers this year based on current fertilizer spot market prices. It also states that rice farms will face the highest per-acre increase at $62.04 on fertilizer alone and that fertilizer costs will increase by $98,000 for rice farms, on average.
Considering the added cost pressures, it will be critical for farmers this season to rely on proven varieties they know will be strong, consistent performers on their farms and that they know how to best manage for top performance – high yields and grain quality that results in a premium at the mill.
There are advantages to planting proven Clearfield® and Provisia® varieties, varieties that farmers have seen perform on their own farms, in agronomic situations similar to theirs, and in multi-year university testing in Louisiana and throughout the region. These include Horizon Ag elite varieties like CLL16, CLL17 and PVL03 and long-time favorites like CL111.
Clearfield variety CLL17 performed very well in its first commercial season in 2021, with both the main crop and ratoon crop. Combine that performance with its higher nitrogen utilization efficiency and excellent genetic resistance to blast and Cercospora, and CLL17 should be a great fit for Coastal Region rice fields in 2022.
The evolution of CLL17 from development to release started with preliminary yield trials in 2015, leading to multiple location trials the following year and seed production in 2019. The expansion of CLL17 as a leading variety planted among rice fields in the state is a testament to the increased yield potential and is one reason it surpassed CL153 as the top variety planted in Louisiana in its first year of availability. CLL17 also has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In fields from the Missouri Bootheel to rice fields west of Houston, Texas, Clearfield variety CLL16 has consistently shown it can yield with or better than top-performing varietals and even hybrids. This is a variety yielding 200-plus bushels per acre consistently across a wide range of geographies while offering the advantages of a Clearfield variety at a lower seed cost than hybrids. CLL16 yielded a two-year mean of 210 bushels per acre in the 2020-21 Arkansas Rice Performance Trials.
Other benefits are its resistance to blast, strong performance in both flood and row rice situations and its great milling quality — all of which have contributed to CLL16’s reputation as “The Complete Package.”
New PVL03, the latest Horizon Ag Provisia variety, has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of many other top-performing rice lines. Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 showed PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with high-yielding Clearfield varieties like CL153.
In the 2021 Arkansas Rice Commercial Trials across 11 locations in the state, PVL03 averaged 185 bushels per acre, with an average milling yield of 58-71, according to preliminary results. PVL03 has a much-improved disease package compared to its predecessors, thanks to Pi-ta and Pi-ks blast-resistance genes. It also has a gene for Cercospora resistance. Additionally, it has excellent stalk strength, which is a vast improvement relative to PVL02, an earlier Provisia rice variety.
All of these benefits come with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide. The Provisia Rice System has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia varieties have very good tolerance to the Provisia herbicide; therefore, a safener isn’t required, unlike with the Max-Ace® and Highcard™ variety/herbicide tandem. The Provisia Rice System is a more robust system which is better for the overall industry. Best of all, farmers have seen Provisia work and are using it to completely turn around thousands of acres lost to weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues.
Another proven variety expected to claim its share of acreage in the state is CL111, a very early, semi-dwarf rice variety favored in South Louisiana over the past few years due to its excellent first-and second-crop yield potential and outstanding grain quality and milling. CL111 is Kellogg’s preferred long grain.
More information about Horizon Ag Clearfield and Provisia varieties is available at HorizonSeed.com. Also, you can join the conversation about proven, elite Clearfield and Provisia varieties on the Horizon Ag Facebook page at facebook.com/HorizonAgSeeds/.
CLL17 performed very well in its first commercial season in 2021, with both the main crop and ratoon crop.
CLL16 has consistently shown it can yield with or better than top-performing varietals and even hybrids.
New PVL03 has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of many other top-performing rice lines.
Clearfieldâ and Provisiaâ are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. ©2022 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
3-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
All expectations are that 2022 will be particularly challenging for Louisiana rice farmers and their counterparts across the South, especially when it comes to managing through the explosion in fertilizer costs and supply concerns this season.
A recently published report from Texas A&M University’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) estimates that fertilizer costs will be 80% more for farmers this year based on current fertilizer spot market prices. It also states that rice farms will face the highest per-acre increase at $62.04 on fertilizer alone and that fertilizer costs will increase by $98,000 for rice farms, on average.
Considering the added cost pressures, it will be critical for farmers this season to rely on proven varieties they know will be strong, consistent performers on their farms and that they know how to best manage for top performance – high yields and grain quality that results in a premium at the mill.
There are advantages to planting proven Clearfield® and Provisia® varieties, varieties that farmers have seen perform on their own farms, in agronomic situations similar to theirs, and in multi-year university testing in Louisiana and throughout the region. These include Horizon Ag elite varieties like CLL16, CLL17 and PVL03 and long-time favorites like CL111.
Clearfield variety CLL17 performed very well in its first commercial season in 2021, with both the main crop and ratoon crop. Combine that performance with its higher nitrogen utilization efficiency and excellent genetic resistance to blast and Cercospora, and CLL17 should be a great fit for Coastal Region rice fields in 2022.
The evolution of CLL17 from development to release started with preliminary yield trials in 2015, leading to multiple location trials the following year and seed production in 2019. The expansion of CLL17 as a leading variety planted among rice fields in the state is a testament to the increased yield potential and is one reason it surpassed CL153 as the top variety planted in Louisiana in its first year of availability. CLL17 also has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In fields from the Missouri Bootheel to rice fields west of Houston, Texas, Clearfield variety CLL16 has consistently shown it can yield with or better than top-performing varietals and even hybrids. This is a variety yielding 200-plus bushels per acre consistently across a wide range of geographies while offering the advantages of a Clearfield variety at a lower seed cost than hybrids. CLL16 yielded a two-year mean of 210 bushels per acre in the 2020-21 Arkansas Rice Performance Trials.
Other benefits are its resistance to blast, strong performance in both flood and row rice situations and its great milling quality — all of which have contributed to CLL16’s reputation as “The Complete Package.”
New PVL03, the latest Horizon Ag Provisia variety, has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of many other top-performing rice lines. Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 showed PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with high-yielding Clearfield varieties like CL153.
In the 2021 Arkansas Rice Commercial Trials across 11 locations in the state, PVL03 averaged 185 bushels per acre, with an average milling yield of 58-71, according to preliminary results. PVL03 has a much-improved disease package compared to its predecessors, thanks to Pi-ta and Pi-ks blast-resistance genes. It also has a gene for Cercospora resistance. Additionally, it has excellent stalk strength, which is a vast improvement relative to PVL02, an earlier Provisia rice variety.
All of these benefits come with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide. The Provisia Rice System has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia varieties have very good tolerance to the Provisia herbicide; therefore, a safener isn’t required, unlike with the Max-Ace® and Highcard™ variety/herbicide tandem. The Provisia Rice System is a more robust system which is better for the overall industry. Best of all, farmers have seen Provisia work and are using it to completely turn around thousands of acres lost to weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues.
Another proven variety expected to claim its share of acreage in the state is CL111, a very early, semi-dwarf rice variety favored in South Louisiana over the past few years due to its excellent first-and second-crop yield potential and outstanding grain quality and milling. CL111 is Kellogg’s preferred long grain.
More information about Horizon Ag Clearfield and Provisia varieties is available at HorizonSeed.com. Also, you can join the conversation about proven, elite Clearfield and Provisia varieties on the Horizon Ag Facebook page at facebook.com/HorizonAgSeeds/.
CLL17 performed very well in its first commercial season in 2021, with both the main crop and ratoon crop.
CLL16 has consistently shown it can yield with or better than top-performing varietals and even hybrids.
New PVL03 has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of many other top-performing rice lines.
Clearfieldâ and Provisiaâ are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. ©2022 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The One Acre Pond
3-1-22
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
One acre is 208 feet x 208 feet, 43,560 square feet. That is big to some people and small to others. New clients ask what sort of success you can create with a one acre pond. Back to the one acre…that one acre 7 feet deep is 2.28 million gallons and that is quite a resource on your property, especially if properly constructed.
Now I have a story about Tom and Diane. They built a home when Tom retired on his family land. It happened to have a 1 acre pond on it that he has fished since his childhood. It was not not much fun to fish and had flooded in 2016.
I assessed the pond and found it to be in OK condition, but we knew there were unwanted fish species that may interfere with a quality fishery. We made a plan including killing the fish in the pond. Wait, did he say he killed all the fish in the pond? Yes, I did. Sometimes you just have to start over if you want to do it right. After we applied the poison we did find gar, choupique, and even some common carp that had found their way into the pond. These would certainly have gotten in the way of our progress. We also found one big bass. That’s it just one bass about 3 lbs. We also trapped turtles with two floating traps and removed about 100.
He wanted to develop a fishery in the pond and do it right. We presented a plan and followed through including aeration, feeding, and liming. We stocked the pond with a plan.
In late June of 2019 we stocked bass into a pond with an environment properly prepared to grow fish, especially the bass. They were 2-3 inches and most folks are not impressed when you stock a pond because of the stocking size of the fish,...but they grow. Last month, February 2022, Diane sent a text with a photo. Their friend was fishing in the pond and caught a 5 ½ lb bass! Only, 19 months after stocking. Wait! Did you say 5 ½ pounds in only 19 months? Yes, I did.
That will not be the only big bass produced, and that bass will not stop growing as good management continues.
A one acre pond can be pretty impressive when you invest in it.
[email protected]
3-1-22
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
One acre is 208 feet x 208 feet, 43,560 square feet. That is big to some people and small to others. New clients ask what sort of success you can create with a one acre pond. Back to the one acre…that one acre 7 feet deep is 2.28 million gallons and that is quite a resource on your property, especially if properly constructed.
Now I have a story about Tom and Diane. They built a home when Tom retired on his family land. It happened to have a 1 acre pond on it that he has fished since his childhood. It was not not much fun to fish and had flooded in 2016.
I assessed the pond and found it to be in OK condition, but we knew there were unwanted fish species that may interfere with a quality fishery. We made a plan including killing the fish in the pond. Wait, did he say he killed all the fish in the pond? Yes, I did. Sometimes you just have to start over if you want to do it right. After we applied the poison we did find gar, choupique, and even some common carp that had found their way into the pond. These would certainly have gotten in the way of our progress. We also found one big bass. That’s it just one bass about 3 lbs. We also trapped turtles with two floating traps and removed about 100.
He wanted to develop a fishery in the pond and do it right. We presented a plan and followed through including aeration, feeding, and liming. We stocked the pond with a plan.
In late June of 2019 we stocked bass into a pond with an environment properly prepared to grow fish, especially the bass. They were 2-3 inches and most folks are not impressed when you stock a pond because of the stocking size of the fish,...but they grow. Last month, February 2022, Diane sent a text with a photo. Their friend was fishing in the pond and caught a 5 ½ lb bass! Only, 19 months after stocking. Wait! Did you say 5 ½ pounds in only 19 months? Yes, I did.
That will not be the only big bass produced, and that bass will not stop growing as good management continues.
A one acre pond can be pretty impressive when you invest in it.
[email protected]
Managing PVL03 for Top-End Performance Potential
2-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
With rice planting time at hand, farmers want to know how to best manage new PVL03, the latest variety in the Provisia Rice System, to maximize its potential for high yields and superior milling quality.
Based on experiences in widespread pre-launch testing and seed production fields, PVL03 has the potential to consistently outperform earlier Provisia lines if it is managed appropriately.
“We’re hearing from a lot of consultants and farmers who want to know more about PVL03 and how it compares with earlier Provisia variety releases,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “PVL03 represents a significant step-change for the Provisia Rice System, providing higher yield potential, outstanding milling quality and an industry-leading disease package while enabling farmers to effectively control weedy rice, red rice and resistant grasses. We expect to see a lot of acreage in this variety in 2022.”
For example, in multi-year trials across the region, PVL03 has proven it has yield potential rivaling or even exceeding that of other top-performing rice lines, at the lowest cost for any herbicide tolerant rice system. In Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020, PVL03 yielded almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield varieties like CL153.
It repeated that strong performance in 2021 in trials and seed production plots. In the 2021 Arkansas Rice Commercial Trials across 11 locations in the state, PVL03 averaged 185 bushels per acre, with an average milling yield of 58-71, according to preliminary results.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Planting rate is one critical difference with PVL03. Whereas many farmers planted PVL01 and PVL02 at a rate of 40 to 50 pounds per acre, PVL03 is a bigger seeded variety. “We need to target 60 pounds per acre with PVL03 for best results,” says Dr. Walker.
Also, while PVL02 requires less nitrogen, similar to Horizon Ag Clearfield variety CLL17, PVL03 performs best at 120 to 160 pounds per acre, depending on soil type and rotation.
PVL03 is a superior package quality milled rice with a kernel length of 7 millimeters, considered the sweet spot for long grain buyers and millers. PVL01 had a very long kernel of 7.2 mm that was prone to breakage during milling. PVL02 had a 6.5 mm kernel, still considered a long grain but shorter than some buyers would like.
Perhaps most importantly for many farmers, the newest Provisia variety has an industry-leading disease package, with both the Pi-ta and Pi-ks blast-resistance genes, as well as a gene for Cercospora resistance. PVL03 has also earned a reputation for having excellent stalk strength and is resistant to lodging.
“This disease package of PVL03 and the fact that it is majority tropical japonica rice not only lends itself to high yield potential but also stable yields,” says Dr. Walker.
All of these benefits come with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide. Where some companies with similar technology are making unsubstantiated claims this year about their performance potential, the Provisia Rice System has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia herbicide doesn’t require a safener like some other herbicides, so it’s going to be more effective overall.
Best of all, farmers have seen Provisia work and are using it to completely turn around thousands of acres lost to weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues.
The performance potential of PVL03 is such an improvement that you can be confident using the technology on more than just emergency areas. Implementing a rotation program gives you the flexibility to grow more rice over multiple seasons while rotating different herbicide modes of action for sustainable management of all resistance rice types and annual grasses. For those who want more rice in a given period of time, a 4-year rotation system of soybeans, the Provisia rice system, conventional rice and the Clearfield Production System for rice is recommended.
In addition, BASF has a very good portfolio of rice herbicides, and those herbicides are available for the Provisia and Clearfield rice systems.
PVL03 has the potential to consistently outperform earlier Provisia lines if it is managed appropriately.
PVL03, the newest Provisia variety, has an industry-leading disease package.
If you have any questions about new PVL03 or other Horizon Ag varieties, please contact your Horizon Ag District Field Representative or rice seed retailer. Additional information is available at www.HorizonSeed.com.
2-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
With rice planting time at hand, farmers want to know how to best manage new PVL03, the latest variety in the Provisia Rice System, to maximize its potential for high yields and superior milling quality.
Based on experiences in widespread pre-launch testing and seed production fields, PVL03 has the potential to consistently outperform earlier Provisia lines if it is managed appropriately.
“We’re hearing from a lot of consultants and farmers who want to know more about PVL03 and how it compares with earlier Provisia variety releases,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “PVL03 represents a significant step-change for the Provisia Rice System, providing higher yield potential, outstanding milling quality and an industry-leading disease package while enabling farmers to effectively control weedy rice, red rice and resistant grasses. We expect to see a lot of acreage in this variety in 2022.”
For example, in multi-year trials across the region, PVL03 has proven it has yield potential rivaling or even exceeding that of other top-performing rice lines, at the lowest cost for any herbicide tolerant rice system. In Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020, PVL03 yielded almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield varieties like CL153.
It repeated that strong performance in 2021 in trials and seed production plots. In the 2021 Arkansas Rice Commercial Trials across 11 locations in the state, PVL03 averaged 185 bushels per acre, with an average milling yield of 58-71, according to preliminary results.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Planting rate is one critical difference with PVL03. Whereas many farmers planted PVL01 and PVL02 at a rate of 40 to 50 pounds per acre, PVL03 is a bigger seeded variety. “We need to target 60 pounds per acre with PVL03 for best results,” says Dr. Walker.
Also, while PVL02 requires less nitrogen, similar to Horizon Ag Clearfield variety CLL17, PVL03 performs best at 120 to 160 pounds per acre, depending on soil type and rotation.
PVL03 is a superior package quality milled rice with a kernel length of 7 millimeters, considered the sweet spot for long grain buyers and millers. PVL01 had a very long kernel of 7.2 mm that was prone to breakage during milling. PVL02 had a 6.5 mm kernel, still considered a long grain but shorter than some buyers would like.
Perhaps most importantly for many farmers, the newest Provisia variety has an industry-leading disease package, with both the Pi-ta and Pi-ks blast-resistance genes, as well as a gene for Cercospora resistance. PVL03 has also earned a reputation for having excellent stalk strength and is resistant to lodging.
“This disease package of PVL03 and the fact that it is majority tropical japonica rice not only lends itself to high yield potential but also stable yields,” says Dr. Walker.
All of these benefits come with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide. Where some companies with similar technology are making unsubstantiated claims this year about their performance potential, the Provisia Rice System has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia herbicide doesn’t require a safener like some other herbicides, so it’s going to be more effective overall.
Best of all, farmers have seen Provisia work and are using it to completely turn around thousands of acres lost to weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues.
The performance potential of PVL03 is such an improvement that you can be confident using the technology on more than just emergency areas. Implementing a rotation program gives you the flexibility to grow more rice over multiple seasons while rotating different herbicide modes of action for sustainable management of all resistance rice types and annual grasses. For those who want more rice in a given period of time, a 4-year rotation system of soybeans, the Provisia rice system, conventional rice and the Clearfield Production System for rice is recommended.
In addition, BASF has a very good portfolio of rice herbicides, and those herbicides are available for the Provisia and Clearfield rice systems.
PVL03 has the potential to consistently outperform earlier Provisia lines if it is managed appropriately.
PVL03, the newest Provisia variety, has an industry-leading disease package.
If you have any questions about new PVL03 or other Horizon Ag varieties, please contact your Horizon Ag District Field Representative or rice seed retailer. Additional information is available at www.HorizonSeed.com.
Budgeting for a Sportfish Pond
1-1-22
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
You have a dream of having your own pond, where at the end of a long day you can have a relaxing time fishing out a few bass or bluegill for sport or for dinner. There is a great deal of satisfaction in culturing and managing a population of fish. This is different from acquiring a pond that has some fish and that has had no management. This is your pond. You know what is going on with water quality, what fish are present, and how you're helping them thrive to meet their potential in a quality environment. You are monitoring their growth and you know which ones to harvest and when, to keep your management program on track.
So how much does it cost to produce sportfish in a 1 acre pond?
Besides building and filling the pond you want to improve the water quality with the addition of lime, habitat, and aeration. Then you will need to stock fish in two different stages. Then I recommend feeding quality feed with an automatic feeder.
Liming with agricultural lime, 4 tons
$800
Addition of gravel beds and 18 artificial trees
$3,000
Diffused aeration system
$1,900
Stocking a one acre pond- Bluegill, Redear, Largemouth bass
$1,700
Automatic fish feeder, and 6 months feed
$1,600
Total
$9,000
Wow! That is a lot of investment! Certainly, capital improvements to property do cost money. This is also a lifestyle investment with a lot of intangible value and those things can’t be added up like a budget. However, a well-constructed, well-maintained pond certainly provides increased value for your real estate.
What about comparing it to other costs for land improvements, hobbies and lifestyles?
The average annual cost to own a horse ranges from $3,600-$8,800.
High fence on the deer camp costs $70-90/ foot.
A quality bass boat is $20,000 to $45,000, and that is not including the truck to haul it.
If golf is your thing, a private membership to a golf club is $3,000 to $10,000.
Your own private fishery has a lot of value. Teaching kids to fish and learn about nature. A great fishing experience with good access for an elderly family member. A fishing contest for your friends and a dinner on the deck/gazebo at the pond.
So consider all the advantages to a pond investment. Do it right from the beginning with a good plan. Then enjoy the process and the results.
[email protected]
1-1-22
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
You have a dream of having your own pond, where at the end of a long day you can have a relaxing time fishing out a few bass or bluegill for sport or for dinner. There is a great deal of satisfaction in culturing and managing a population of fish. This is different from acquiring a pond that has some fish and that has had no management. This is your pond. You know what is going on with water quality, what fish are present, and how you're helping them thrive to meet their potential in a quality environment. You are monitoring their growth and you know which ones to harvest and when, to keep your management program on track.
So how much does it cost to produce sportfish in a 1 acre pond?
Besides building and filling the pond you want to improve the water quality with the addition of lime, habitat, and aeration. Then you will need to stock fish in two different stages. Then I recommend feeding quality feed with an automatic feeder.
Liming with agricultural lime, 4 tons
$800
Addition of gravel beds and 18 artificial trees
$3,000
Diffused aeration system
$1,900
Stocking a one acre pond- Bluegill, Redear, Largemouth bass
$1,700
Automatic fish feeder, and 6 months feed
$1,600
Total
$9,000
Wow! That is a lot of investment! Certainly, capital improvements to property do cost money. This is also a lifestyle investment with a lot of intangible value and those things can’t be added up like a budget. However, a well-constructed, well-maintained pond certainly provides increased value for your real estate.
What about comparing it to other costs for land improvements, hobbies and lifestyles?
The average annual cost to own a horse ranges from $3,600-$8,800.
High fence on the deer camp costs $70-90/ foot.
A quality bass boat is $20,000 to $45,000, and that is not including the truck to haul it.
If golf is your thing, a private membership to a golf club is $3,000 to $10,000.
Your own private fishery has a lot of value. Teaching kids to fish and learn about nature. A great fishing experience with good access for an elderly family member. A fishing contest for your friends and a dinner on the deck/gazebo at the pond.
So consider all the advantages to a pond investment. Do it right from the beginning with a good plan. Then enjoy the process and the results.
[email protected]
Five Reasons to Plant Provisia Rice in 2022
1-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
As the Provisia Rice System enters into its 5th season of commercial availability in 2022, it’s a great time to consider how Provisia rice can set your operation up for a more successful season. This is particularly critical as other companies try to take advantage of farmer interest in the benefits of Provisia rice by introducing competing products that don’t have the proven performance of the Provisia System in the southern rice-growing region.
Here are 5 Reasons to Plant Provisia Rice in 2022:
New Provisia Variety PVL03 — The latest and greatest variety to be released for the Provisia Rice system, PVL03 is a game-changer. You get yield potential that is comparable to the best Clearfield varieties plus industry-leading tolerance to blast and Cercospora. It’s an extremely robust plant with very good straw length, so lodging is not a problem. It has exceptional grain dimensions and good grain translucency. And you are going to get the Provisia Rice System and PVL03 at a much lower price point than hybrids or competitive traited varietals. That is extremely good news for farmers wanting to maximize profitability next season by controlling inputs while still effectively controlling costly weedy rice, red rice, and grasses.
The Cleanest Fields the Last Four Years — Since its launch in 2018, the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide has shown over and over again its ability to knock out weedy rice, red rice, and grasses, and farmers consistently give the Provisia Rice System credit for resulting in the cleanest fields on their farm, year after year. They’ve also been able to effectively turn around production in fields where weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues were seriously threatening their ability to produce rice profitably by significantly lowering yields and quality. Finally, the addition of the Provisia Rice System gives you the ability to rotate with Clearfield rice, conventional rice, and soybeans in a 4-year rotation to better manage against the development of herbicide resistance. This sets you up for cleaner fields for years to come.
Experience With the System — Nothing beats experience when it comes to knowing how to best manage a rice crop for a successful season. Rice farmers have used the Provisia Rice System to control weedy rice, red rice, and grass problems on more than 200,000 acres in recent years because of its proven performance. During that time, they also have had an opportunity to fine-tune the Provisia Rice System on their farms and have developed best management practices that help them elevate yield potential, unlike with new production systems where there is potential for more trial and error. With narrow profit margins in 2022, you can’t afford costly mistakes.
Industry Leading Tolerance to Quizalofop Herbicide — If you’re looking for clean fields while managing against the potential for herbicide resistance, you can appreciate the fact that Provisia varieties like PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System offer the rice industry’s best tolerance to quizalofop herbicide. Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, says, based on his experience as a rice industry agronomist, “the ACCase chemistry is not one to play with when it comes to resistance issues in rice like we’ve seen with other ACCase products over the years. We want to wage all-out war on grasses and weedy rice, and we have a variety in PVL03 and a system that let us do just that. PVL03 offers extremely good tolerance to Provisia herbicide, so we don’t need a safener in the herbicide like with other systems.”
Reliable Supplies of Provisia Herbicide — BASF, Horizon Ag’s industry partner for Clearfield and Provisia rice, is in a strong position when it comes to assuring rice farmers that the herbicide you will need next season will be available. There are many other companies that can’t make that claim this year and run the risk of not being able to meet your in-season needs. They can’t guarantee they will be able to bring in their products manufactured overseas. “I’ve talked with BASF representatives, and they say you don’t have to worry about herbicide availability when it comes to BASF products,” says Dr. Walker. “BASF has a very good portfolio of rice herbicides, and those herbicides are available for both the Provisia and Clearfield rice systems.”
As planting in Louisiana gets closer, more rice farmers are expected to turn to new PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System because of its advantages over other systems.
If you have any questions about PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System for your farming operation, please contact your Horizon Ag District Field Representative or rice seed retailer. Additional information on PVL03 and elite Clearfield varieties like CLL17 and CLL16 is available at www.HorizonSeed.com.
1-1-22
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
As the Provisia Rice System enters into its 5th season of commercial availability in 2022, it’s a great time to consider how Provisia rice can set your operation up for a more successful season. This is particularly critical as other companies try to take advantage of farmer interest in the benefits of Provisia rice by introducing competing products that don’t have the proven performance of the Provisia System in the southern rice-growing region.
Here are 5 Reasons to Plant Provisia Rice in 2022:
New Provisia Variety PVL03 — The latest and greatest variety to be released for the Provisia Rice system, PVL03 is a game-changer. You get yield potential that is comparable to the best Clearfield varieties plus industry-leading tolerance to blast and Cercospora. It’s an extremely robust plant with very good straw length, so lodging is not a problem. It has exceptional grain dimensions and good grain translucency. And you are going to get the Provisia Rice System and PVL03 at a much lower price point than hybrids or competitive traited varietals. That is extremely good news for farmers wanting to maximize profitability next season by controlling inputs while still effectively controlling costly weedy rice, red rice, and grasses.
The Cleanest Fields the Last Four Years — Since its launch in 2018, the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide has shown over and over again its ability to knock out weedy rice, red rice, and grasses, and farmers consistently give the Provisia Rice System credit for resulting in the cleanest fields on their farm, year after year. They’ve also been able to effectively turn around production in fields where weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues were seriously threatening their ability to produce rice profitably by significantly lowering yields and quality. Finally, the addition of the Provisia Rice System gives you the ability to rotate with Clearfield rice, conventional rice, and soybeans in a 4-year rotation to better manage against the development of herbicide resistance. This sets you up for cleaner fields for years to come.
Experience With the System — Nothing beats experience when it comes to knowing how to best manage a rice crop for a successful season. Rice farmers have used the Provisia Rice System to control weedy rice, red rice, and grass problems on more than 200,000 acres in recent years because of its proven performance. During that time, they also have had an opportunity to fine-tune the Provisia Rice System on their farms and have developed best management practices that help them elevate yield potential, unlike with new production systems where there is potential for more trial and error. With narrow profit margins in 2022, you can’t afford costly mistakes.
Industry Leading Tolerance to Quizalofop Herbicide — If you’re looking for clean fields while managing against the potential for herbicide resistance, you can appreciate the fact that Provisia varieties like PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System offer the rice industry’s best tolerance to quizalofop herbicide. Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, says, based on his experience as a rice industry agronomist, “the ACCase chemistry is not one to play with when it comes to resistance issues in rice like we’ve seen with other ACCase products over the years. We want to wage all-out war on grasses and weedy rice, and we have a variety in PVL03 and a system that let us do just that. PVL03 offers extremely good tolerance to Provisia herbicide, so we don’t need a safener in the herbicide like with other systems.”
Reliable Supplies of Provisia Herbicide — BASF, Horizon Ag’s industry partner for Clearfield and Provisia rice, is in a strong position when it comes to assuring rice farmers that the herbicide you will need next season will be available. There are many other companies that can’t make that claim this year and run the risk of not being able to meet your in-season needs. They can’t guarantee they will be able to bring in their products manufactured overseas. “I’ve talked with BASF representatives, and they say you don’t have to worry about herbicide availability when it comes to BASF products,” says Dr. Walker. “BASF has a very good portfolio of rice herbicides, and those herbicides are available for both the Provisia and Clearfield rice systems.”
As planting in Louisiana gets closer, more rice farmers are expected to turn to new PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System because of its advantages over other systems.
If you have any questions about PVL03 and the Provisia Rice System for your farming operation, please contact your Horizon Ag District Field Representative or rice seed retailer. Additional information on PVL03 and elite Clearfield varieties like CLL17 and CLL16 is available at www.HorizonSeed.com.
Pond Aeration & Confusion
11-1-21
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
Whenever you talk about ponds or lakes, the next know-it-all you meet will begin to give you advice. Included in that advice will be some discussion of aeration. This usually comes with some opinion about the pros and cons as well as what equipment should be used, or avoided..
Let's move through these statements and consider each one.
Ponds have several naturally occurring bad behaviors including algae blooms, stratifying into temperature layers, accumulation of sludge, and seasonal turnover, which remixes the temperature layers creating the potential for a fish kill from oxygen depletion. Also, winterkill can occur in northern areas with ponds that freeze over. Properly sized aeration can avoid this.
Ponds are aging over time and as they do, the chances of having a fish kill due to turnover increases especially in ponds that are rapidly accumulating sludge in the bottom.
Ponds benefit from management and that may include aeration depending on your goals. Simple management can improve water quality, fish health, and enjoyment of the pond. It is an incredible asset on your property and is a valuable resource.
Fountains do aerate, but as you put more energy from a pumping motor into the pressure needed to make a decorative pattern, the lower the water flow, and that means less water is being aerated as a function of the water being pumped. Think of putting your finger over the end of a water hose. Clamp down and you get a higher pattern but less flow. Lower flow, less aeration. There are many fountains that have a nice pattern but produce a nice level of aeration since they are designed to be higher flow with simpler patterns.
Good equipment is generally not inexpensive, but it can provide a great value. An aerator is typically continuous-duty, able to run without interruption for long periods, and they are affecting millions of gallons of water. 1 acre, 3.5 feet deep is 1 million gallons!
Aeration does help to bind nutrients that cause algae to over produce in a pond. Algae typically likes stagnant water and when an aerator increases circulation, certain types of algae growth are discouraged. All ponds have algae, but steering the ecology to discourage the overproduction is helpful and an aerator can be a great tool to help you do that.
Selecting professionally designed equipment also means that it has been selected for efficiency. Properly selected equipment and properly designed projects will be the most efficient. Again, you are affecting millions of gallons of water, so some cost should be expected if you are operating a grid powered system. The value and benefits of water quality and fish health should be readily apparent for evaluating your investment. Generally fish growth is expected to be 20% faster with aeration.
High-quality, professional equipment is available powered by wind and solar, that can aerate your pond. If your power isn’t more than a mile away you can send compressed air from a compressor at the power source to your pond via a pvc pipe and then distribute it to aerate the pond with diffusers.
The bottom line is that aeration equipment is more versatile, affordable, and efficient than ever before. The benefits for your pond or lake have always been there and always will.
[email protected]
11-1-21
By Ken Rust, Louisiana Pond Management
Whenever you talk about ponds or lakes, the next know-it-all you meet will begin to give you advice. Included in that advice will be some discussion of aeration. This usually comes with some opinion about the pros and cons as well as what equipment should be used, or avoided..
- You should just leave your lake natural.
- If you haven’t had a fish kill you don’t need to worry about it.
- You don’t really need to do anything to a pond.
- Fountains don’t aerate.
- Aerators are expensive.
- Aeration eliminates algae.
- They cost a lot to operate.
- If you don’t have power, then you can’t aerate.
Let's move through these statements and consider each one.
- You should just leave your lake natural.
Ponds have several naturally occurring bad behaviors including algae blooms, stratifying into temperature layers, accumulation of sludge, and seasonal turnover, which remixes the temperature layers creating the potential for a fish kill from oxygen depletion. Also, winterkill can occur in northern areas with ponds that freeze over. Properly sized aeration can avoid this.
- If you haven’t had a fish kill you don’t need to worry about it.
Ponds are aging over time and as they do, the chances of having a fish kill due to turnover increases especially in ponds that are rapidly accumulating sludge in the bottom.
- You don’t really need to do anything to a pond.
Ponds benefit from management and that may include aeration depending on your goals. Simple management can improve water quality, fish health, and enjoyment of the pond. It is an incredible asset on your property and is a valuable resource.
- Fountains don’t aerate.
Fountains do aerate, but as you put more energy from a pumping motor into the pressure needed to make a decorative pattern, the lower the water flow, and that means less water is being aerated as a function of the water being pumped. Think of putting your finger over the end of a water hose. Clamp down and you get a higher pattern but less flow. Lower flow, less aeration. There are many fountains that have a nice pattern but produce a nice level of aeration since they are designed to be higher flow with simpler patterns.
- Aerators are expensive
Good equipment is generally not inexpensive, but it can provide a great value. An aerator is typically continuous-duty, able to run without interruption for long periods, and they are affecting millions of gallons of water. 1 acre, 3.5 feet deep is 1 million gallons!
- Aeration eliminates algae.
Aeration does help to bind nutrients that cause algae to over produce in a pond. Algae typically likes stagnant water and when an aerator increases circulation, certain types of algae growth are discouraged. All ponds have algae, but steering the ecology to discourage the overproduction is helpful and an aerator can be a great tool to help you do that.
- They cost a lot to operate.
Selecting professionally designed equipment also means that it has been selected for efficiency. Properly selected equipment and properly designed projects will be the most efficient. Again, you are affecting millions of gallons of water, so some cost should be expected if you are operating a grid powered system. The value and benefits of water quality and fish health should be readily apparent for evaluating your investment. Generally fish growth is expected to be 20% faster with aeration.
- If you don’t have power, then you can’t aerate.
High-quality, professional equipment is available powered by wind and solar, that can aerate your pond. If your power isn’t more than a mile away you can send compressed air from a compressor at the power source to your pond via a pvc pipe and then distribute it to aerate the pond with diffusers.
The bottom line is that aeration equipment is more versatile, affordable, and efficient than ever before. The benefits for your pond or lake have always been there and always will.
[email protected]
High Yield Potential at a Lower Seed Price
Today’s Varieties Help Farmers Manage Input Costs
12-1-21
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
With some experts predicting higher fertilizer and fuel prices may lead to $150 or more per acre in increased rice production costs for 2022, Louisiana farmers can rely on elite varieties like CLL17 and PVL03 that are proven to perform, providing outstanding yield potential and milling quality with a better ROI than hybrids.
“Higher fertilizer costs this year are definitely going to squeeze profit margins, so farmers are looking hard at ways to manage their input costs,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “Our varieties today have the high yield potential to be competitive with popular hybrids but come at a significantly lower seed price than hybrids. That means farmers can start the season with less expense and potentially finish with strong yields, premiums for milling quality and improved overall profitability.”
In addition, CLL17, a long grain Clearfield variety from Horizon Ag, has one of the highest nitrogen utilization efficiencies of all varieties or hybrids offered. With current nitrogen (N) prices near $1.00 per pound, using 20-30 pounds less N per acre can provide a significant savings. Add high yield potential, outstanding milling quality and blast resistance, and you’ve got a combination for a more profitable season.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in CLL17 from farmers looking at how to lower fertilizer expenses and still get great results,” says Dr. Walker. “They’ve seen or heard how CLL17 performed in its first commercial season in 2021 with main crop and ratoon. With its higher nitrogen utilization efficiency and excellent genetic resistance to blast and Cercospora, CLL17 is positioned to be planted on a lot of acreage in 2022.”
Another Clearfield variety, CLL16, had a strong performance year in both furrow rice and flood irrigated production systems in the South and is emerging as another solid option for farmers in northern Louisiana. From outstanding yield potential that rivals or exceed hybrids at a lower seed cost to excellent milling quality and an industry-leading disease package, CLL16 is earning a reputation as the Complete Package across the Southern rice production region.
“CLL16 has as much yield potential as any product on the market, including the hybrids,” says Darren Walker, who farms near DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. “If you’ve got the lowest input goals and the top-end yield potential, why would you not plant CLL16?”
In addition, CLL16 is a great fit for later planted rice where harvesting a ratoon crop isn’t a consideration. “CLL16 has proven to have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to planting dates and its ability to perform in many different environments,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s a solid choice in South Louisiana and Texas where farmers aren’t planning for a second rice crop.”
Then there’s PVL03, the latest variety in the Provisia Rice System, widely recognized as the best and most proven technology to control weedy hybrid rice, resistant red rice, and grasses today.
Many Louisiana farmers have seen the system and Provisia herbicide do a number on damaging weeds and grasses and consistently give the Provisia Rice System credit for resulting in the cleanest fields on their farm year after year. They’ve also been able to effectively turn around production in fields where weedy hybrid rice and resistance issues were seriously threatening their ability to produce rice profitably.
With PVL03, they have access to the highest yielding Provisia variety yet, as well as an industry-leading disease package that features blast and Cercospora resistance.
“There is really no technology like Provisia available today,” says Dr. Walker. “Other seed companies are playing catch-up and making unsubstantiated claims about performance potential, but the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide has already proven to perform. Provisia herbicide doesn’t require a safener like some other herbicides, so it’s going to be more effective.
0% APR Financing Available
Saving on financing is another way farmers can offset cost increases in other areas. For the upcoming season, rice farmers can finance their Horizon Ag rice seed and BASF crop protection products at 0% APR using their Multi-Use Account from John Deere Financial or Rabo AgriFinance.
“With rice farmers looking ahead to what may be a challenging year for commodity prices, 0% APR financing is a great way to save on proven, high-yielding Horizon Ag varieties and BASF crop protection products next season,” says Dr. Walker. “The offer includes our elite-performing Clearfield varieties like CLL17 and CLL16, new PVL03, and other popular Horizon Ag varieties.”
Eligible products may include:
- Horizon Ag Clearfield varieties like CL111, CL151, CL153, CL163, CLJ01, CLL15, CLL16, CLL17, CLHA02 and CLM04, followed by Clearpath herbicide or Newpath herbicide.
- Horizon Ag Provisia varieties PVL02 and PVL03, followed by Provisia herbicide and Face® L herbicide.
- BASF crop protection products applied to their rice acres — Beyond® herbicide, Facet L herbicide, Sharpen herbicide or Prowl H2O herbicide.
- Products may be purchased at different times from one or multiple BASF authorized retailers.
Farmers can contact their BASF or Horizon Ag authorized retailers to take advantage of the 0% financing offer. The financing program runs through September 30, 2022. Customer payment terms are due December 2022. Full program terms and conditions are available at BASF-Grower-Finance.com.
Horizon Ag Has Strong Variety Offering for 2022
11-1-2021
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
With the 2021 season fading in the rearview mirror, rice farmers are starting to look ahead to 2022 and the varieties that will provide the best opportunity for improved profitability.
Horizon Ag has two new varieties – PVL03 and CLHA02 – joining an already strong lineup of varieties offering proven performance across the region.
PVL03 is the third and highest-yielding variety released for the Provisia Rice System. PVL03 has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of other top-performing rice lines. Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 showed PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield® varieties like CL153.
It repeated that strong performance in 2021 in seed production plots. “We planted 200 acres of it this year,” says Rayne, Louisiana, farmer Fred Zaunbrecher. “Seed quantity was limited, and Horizon Ag wanted to put as many acres out as possible with fewer pounds, so for us, the seeding rate ended up being 23-24 pounds per acre. That’s not a lot of seed out there, but the variety still looked exceptionally good. We had yields in the mid-40 barrels per acre range and one field that actually made 50 barrels per acre. We were very pleased with that.”
PVL03 has excellent stalk strength and is a superior package quality milled rice. It also has an industry-leading disease package, with resistance to serious threats like blast and Cercospora.
That performance comes with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide, which have earned a reputation for providing the cleanest fields in the region and helping many farmers overcome yield-robbing hybrid weedy rice and resistant grass problems.
“There is really no technology like Provisia available today,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “Other seed companies are playing catch-up and making unsubstantiated claims about performance potential, but the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia herbicide doesn’t require a safener like some other herbicides, so it’s going to be more effective. Best of all, farmers have seen it work.”
New CLHA02, the second high-amylose Clearfield variety, will be available for planting in 2022. It was developed by rice breeders at Mississippi State University and is another step to bringing back the quality standard the U.S. rice industry was known to provide for decades, yet has waned over the last 10-15 years.
It will provide farmers better opportunities for premiums, which is especially important heading into a year where input costs have increased dramatically. It also is expected to generate interest in more Identity Preservation contracts with domestic and global customers, who are specific in their needs and demands for rice.
CLHA02 proved to be a high-yielding variety in multiple university trials throughout the region, with yields the last two seasons comparable to CLL16 and other top performers.
CLL17, an elite Clearfield variety bred in Louisiana, has proven its ability to make high yields, consistently outperforming CL153 in multi-year trials in the state. It also has solid ratoon crop potential and provides excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to the LSU AgCenter data.
Gueydan, Louisiana farmer, Connor Popeck, is a believer in CLL17. “Nothing is perfect. We didn’t put it in one of those test plot fields where conditions are perfect. We put it in some challenging situations, and it was fantastic. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.”
The varieties join other proven performers from Horizon Ag for the region, including:
11-1-2021
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
With the 2021 season fading in the rearview mirror, rice farmers are starting to look ahead to 2022 and the varieties that will provide the best opportunity for improved profitability.
Horizon Ag has two new varieties – PVL03 and CLHA02 – joining an already strong lineup of varieties offering proven performance across the region.
PVL03 is the third and highest-yielding variety released for the Provisia Rice System. PVL03 has proven yield potential rivaling and even exceeding that of other top-performing rice lines. Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 showed PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, outyielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield® varieties like CL153.
It repeated that strong performance in 2021 in seed production plots. “We planted 200 acres of it this year,” says Rayne, Louisiana, farmer Fred Zaunbrecher. “Seed quantity was limited, and Horizon Ag wanted to put as many acres out as possible with fewer pounds, so for us, the seeding rate ended up being 23-24 pounds per acre. That’s not a lot of seed out there, but the variety still looked exceptionally good. We had yields in the mid-40 barrels per acre range and one field that actually made 50 barrels per acre. We were very pleased with that.”
PVL03 has excellent stalk strength and is a superior package quality milled rice. It also has an industry-leading disease package, with resistance to serious threats like blast and Cercospora.
That performance comes with the advantages of the Provisia Rice System and Provisia herbicide, which have earned a reputation for providing the cleanest fields in the region and helping many farmers overcome yield-robbing hybrid weedy rice and resistant grass problems.
“There is really no technology like Provisia available today,” says Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “Other seed companies are playing catch-up and making unsubstantiated claims about performance potential, but the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide has already proven to be one of the most effective weed management tools available for Southern rice. Provisia herbicide doesn’t require a safener like some other herbicides, so it’s going to be more effective. Best of all, farmers have seen it work.”
New CLHA02, the second high-amylose Clearfield variety, will be available for planting in 2022. It was developed by rice breeders at Mississippi State University and is another step to bringing back the quality standard the U.S. rice industry was known to provide for decades, yet has waned over the last 10-15 years.
It will provide farmers better opportunities for premiums, which is especially important heading into a year where input costs have increased dramatically. It also is expected to generate interest in more Identity Preservation contracts with domestic and global customers, who are specific in their needs and demands for rice.
CLHA02 proved to be a high-yielding variety in multiple university trials throughout the region, with yields the last two seasons comparable to CLL16 and other top performers.
CLL17, an elite Clearfield variety bred in Louisiana, has proven its ability to make high yields, consistently outperforming CL153 in multi-year trials in the state. It also has solid ratoon crop potential and provides excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to the LSU AgCenter data.
Gueydan, Louisiana farmer, Connor Popeck, is a believer in CLL17. “Nothing is perfect. We didn’t put it in one of those test plot fields where conditions are perfect. We put it in some challenging situations, and it was fantastic. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.”
The varieties join other proven performers from Horizon Ag for the region, including:
- CLL16 – Broadly adapted elite Clearfield variety with excellent yield potential and milling characteristics, plus industry-leading blast resistance.
- CL151 – Proven high yielder that requires a lower nitrogen rate.
- CL153 – Widely-planted Clearfield variety with exceptional seeding vigor and yields equivalent to CL151. It has outstanding grain quality and provides resistance to blast.
- CL111 – Known for its excellent vigor, outstanding grain quality and milling and exceptional ratoon crop performance. It is Kellogg’s® preferred long grain.
- CLL15 – An early-maturing variety with proven high yield potential, excellent milling quality and broad-spectrum blast resistance.
- CL163 – The first Clearfield variety with extra high amylose content, ideal for parboil, canning, food services or package rice.
- CLM04 – A medium-grain Clearfield variety with yield potential similar to Jupitar, but with improved blast resistance.
- CLJ01 – The first Clearfield Jasmine-type variety.
- PVL02 – Second release in the Provisia Rice System, providing improved yield potential and milling to PVL01, and superior cooking quality.
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PVL03 is the third and highest-yielding variety released for the Provisia Rice System.
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CLL17 is an elite Clearfield variety bred in Louisiana with proven high yield potential.
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CLL17 Proves Its Potential as Next Generation Clearfield Variety
10 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
When a new rice variety makes you feel like a good farmer, you know it’s done its job. That’s how Gueydan, Louisiana farmer Connor Popeck says he feels about growing CLL17, a Clearfield variety introduced by Horizon Ag for the 2021 season.
“This was our first year of planting CLL17, and we really enjoyed growing it,” says Popeck. “It came up out of the ground and really looked pretty. We are going to have more of it next year for sure.”
Popeck and his uncle both tried CLL17 in 2021 to see how it would stack up with others in their current planting lineup. His uncle had grown a lot of CL153 and CL111 in the past, two popular Horizon Ag varieties. Popeck, who has been planting rice for three years after working for a large ag retailer, had been planting Provisia rice, hybrids and CL153.
“We switched out to go mainly with Provisia because of the red rice issue, as well as try CLL17,” he says. “We had heard CLL17 might replace some other varieties because it provided a step up in performance.”
He planted CLL17 at a seeding rate of 50 pounds per acre and, “We really liked it. I only used about 110 units of nitrogen per acre, and it still yielded 49 barrels, which was very exciting considering the year we had. My uncle applied 125 units per acre, got good yields, and his second crop has come back and looks beautiful.”
One characteristic Popeck likes about CLL17 is its shorter stature. “Some of the other varieties can get really tall here,” he says. “With the hurricane winds we have in this area, lodging can be a big problem. We had no lodging issues with CLL17.”
The variety also proved capable of maintaining its potential over a broad planting window. Popeck’s uncle planted CLL17 in early March, while a late opportunity to pick up a rental farm resulted in Popeck planting CLL17 almost 30 days later.
“I was talking with Corey Conner (Horizon Ag Field Representative) about what variety to plant on the new farm and he recommended CLL17,” Popeck says. “We worked up the new land, leveled it and planted CLL17 in early April. It made one of the highest yields off that farm in a long time, according to the landowner.”
CLL17 also showed durability when Commandâ herbicide damage from an applicator error made the crop look bad for a couple of weeks. “CLL17 handled the stress, came out of it and weighed good,” says Popeck. “Nothing is perfect. We didn’t put it in one of those test plot fields where conditions are perfect. We put it in some challenging situations, and it was fantastic. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.”
Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, said many Louisiana farmers tried CLL17 for the first time this season and have been pleased with how it’s performed. He added that CLL17’s industry-leading blast resistance and strong yield potential are an essential combination for Coastal rice farmers today looking to maximize profitability.
Even before its launch, CLL17 had proven its ability to make high yields, consistently out-performing CL153 in multi-year trials in the state. It also has solid ratoon crop potential and has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. In seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas, CLL17 averaged 50-plus barrels per acre. And In Horizon Ag’s foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.
“It was exciting to work with Louisiana State University to bring forward an advanced variety like CLL17 that is helping farmers make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” says Dr. Walker. “CLL17 represents the next generation of Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast.”
Clearfieldâ and Provisiaâ are registered trademarks of BASF. Commandâ herbicide is a registered trademark of FMC. ©2021 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
10 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure, Horizon Ag
When a new rice variety makes you feel like a good farmer, you know it’s done its job. That’s how Gueydan, Louisiana farmer Connor Popeck says he feels about growing CLL17, a Clearfield variety introduced by Horizon Ag for the 2021 season.
“This was our first year of planting CLL17, and we really enjoyed growing it,” says Popeck. “It came up out of the ground and really looked pretty. We are going to have more of it next year for sure.”
Popeck and his uncle both tried CLL17 in 2021 to see how it would stack up with others in their current planting lineup. His uncle had grown a lot of CL153 and CL111 in the past, two popular Horizon Ag varieties. Popeck, who has been planting rice for three years after working for a large ag retailer, had been planting Provisia rice, hybrids and CL153.
“We switched out to go mainly with Provisia because of the red rice issue, as well as try CLL17,” he says. “We had heard CLL17 might replace some other varieties because it provided a step up in performance.”
He planted CLL17 at a seeding rate of 50 pounds per acre and, “We really liked it. I only used about 110 units of nitrogen per acre, and it still yielded 49 barrels, which was very exciting considering the year we had. My uncle applied 125 units per acre, got good yields, and his second crop has come back and looks beautiful.”
One characteristic Popeck likes about CLL17 is its shorter stature. “Some of the other varieties can get really tall here,” he says. “With the hurricane winds we have in this area, lodging can be a big problem. We had no lodging issues with CLL17.”
The variety also proved capable of maintaining its potential over a broad planting window. Popeck’s uncle planted CLL17 in early March, while a late opportunity to pick up a rental farm resulted in Popeck planting CLL17 almost 30 days later.
“I was talking with Corey Conner (Horizon Ag Field Representative) about what variety to plant on the new farm and he recommended CLL17,” Popeck says. “We worked up the new land, leveled it and planted CLL17 in early April. It made one of the highest yields off that farm in a long time, according to the landowner.”
CLL17 also showed durability when Commandâ herbicide damage from an applicator error made the crop look bad for a couple of weeks. “CLL17 handled the stress, came out of it and weighed good,” says Popeck. “Nothing is perfect. We didn’t put it in one of those test plot fields where conditions are perfect. We put it in some challenging situations, and it was fantastic. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.”
Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, said many Louisiana farmers tried CLL17 for the first time this season and have been pleased with how it’s performed. He added that CLL17’s industry-leading blast resistance and strong yield potential are an essential combination for Coastal rice farmers today looking to maximize profitability.
Even before its launch, CLL17 had proven its ability to make high yields, consistently out-performing CL153 in multi-year trials in the state. It also has solid ratoon crop potential and has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. In seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas, CLL17 averaged 50-plus barrels per acre. And In Horizon Ag’s foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.
“It was exciting to work with Louisiana State University to bring forward an advanced variety like CLL17 that is helping farmers make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” says Dr. Walker. “CLL17 represents the next generation of Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast.”
Clearfieldâ and Provisiaâ are registered trademarks of BASF. Commandâ herbicide is a registered trademark of FMC. ©2021 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Rice variety CLL17 from Horizon Ag “did exactly what it was supposed to do” according to Gueydan farmer Connor Popeck.
Improved Provisia Varieties Enable Return to Drill-Seeded System
2 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure
In recent years, severe pressure from weedy rice types and resistant red rice has forced farmers to shift back to water seeding in an effort to minimize losses, despite the disadvantages that come with the system.
With the availability of the Provisia Rice System and improved Provisia rice varieties, however, Louisiana farmers are able to return to using the drill-seeded, delayed flood production system rather than losing agronomic efficiencies with water seeding.
Dr. Tim Walker, general manager of Horizon Ag, said much like the Clearfield Production System for rice revolutionized production in Louisiana by enabling producers to bring red rice under control, the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide provides an effective tool to control weedy rice and resistant red rice that have developed into a costly, production-robbing problem throughout much of the Coastal region in recent years.
“We can learn a lot by looking back 20 years at the dramatic impact planting Clearfield rice in a drill-seeded system had on yields in areas like Southwest Louisiana,” said Dr. Walker. “In the decade prior to 2001, yields were relatively stagnant in the region, with most farmers water seeding rice to achieve red rice control. With the launch of the Clearfield Production System for rice in 2001, Louisiana farmers were able to move to the drill-seeded, delayed flood system and achieve almost a 3x rate of yield increase compared to farmers in Arkansas, who were already drill seeding for the most part and didn’t see as great of an increase.”
He noted that in the last 10 years, that rate of yield increase has fallen in Southwest Louisiana, particularly as the spread of weedy rice and resistant red rice pushed farmers back to water seeding.
Fortunately, with the release in 2020 of PVL02, the second Provisia variety, and soon to be available PVL03, the latest Provisia line, rice farmers now have access to better-performing seed choices to use in what has been described by many farmers as the most effective weed management system available for Southern rice today.
Water seeding rice requires more seed than drill seeding in order to establish an optimum stand. The increased seeding rate is used to overcome reduced germination and seedling survival. Another potential stand establishment hazard of water-seeded rice is the potential for rice seed to move in the water prior to germination and pegging due to high winds and wave action. This seed movement can cause areas of high- and low-plant populations.
Those challenges can be avoided by drill seeding new Provisia varieties like PVL02 in the Provisia Rice System.
“PVL02 is a tremendous improvement over PVL01, particularly in South Louisiana and Texas,” said Dr. Walker. “It has improved yield potential and is 7 to 10 days earlier than PVL01. That earliness works really well for the ratoon crop that is so important in the Coastal rice region. Being able to harvest a crop as much as 10 days earlier in some cases can make a big difference in ratoon crop potential.”
PVL02 is a better milling rice than PVL01, whose long, slender grain tended to break more easily during the milling process. PVL02 is a much shorter grain that holds together better. “We are seeing some phenomenal milling yields with PVL02,” said Dr. Walker. “You hardly ever hear of whole milling rice measuring 70%, but one of our seed farmers this year was proud to tell me he had a couple of lots of rice that milled 70/73, which is a pretty good premium going into his pocket.”
PVL02 also offers a slight advantage over PVL01 when it comes to disease pressure, particularly blast, since the line contains one of the blast-resistant genes. Where PVL01 was rated very susceptible to blast, PVL02 is just rated susceptible. It is rated moderately susceptible to sheath blight and Cercospora, whereas PVL01 is rated susceptible to both.
In 14 trials in Louisiana in 2019 and 2020, PVL02 out-yielded PVL01 by about 1,000 pounds per acre, making the variety much more competitive when farmers put a pencil to planting it in a drill-seeded system, compared to planting a variety like Cheniere water-seeded. That’s especially true considering the agronomic efficiencies of drill seeding and the outstanding weed control with Provisia rice.
From an overall agronomic standpoint, PVL02 should be planted at a rate of 45-55 pounds of treated seed per acre. Nitrogen is very important to manage with the appropriate rate and timing. On silt and sandy loam soils, the optimum rate is 90 pounds of N preflood with a single application, or 75 pounds preflood followed by 45 pounds topdressed at internode elongation in a split application. On silty and clay loams, the N rate is 135 pounds preflood in a single application, or 105 pounds preflood followed by 45 pounds topdressed at internode elongation in a split application.
Horizon Ag also is planning a small launch of the latest Provisia variety, PVL03, in 2021 and a full launch in 2022. The new variety, developed at the LSU Ag Center, provides even greater yield and milling advantages over earlier Provisia variety lines. Perhaps most importantly, it has both Pi-ta and Pi-ks genes for blast resistance, which Dr. Walker said is remarkable being only five years into the launch of the Provisia system in rice.
Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 show PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, out-yielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield lines like CL153 in the Coastal region.
“The conversation with respect to whether to use the Provisia Rice System or continue to water seed with Cheniere until better varieties come along tilts heavily in favor of adopting the Provisia system with variety PVL03,” said Dr. Walker. “Now we can out-perform conventional varieties, achieve the agronomic efficiencies associated with the drill-seeded system, and begin controlling the weedy rice problem that has threatened rice production in the region.”
Graphic caption:
The rate of yield increase in Louisiana was greater in the 10 years after the launch of Clearfield rice than in the decade before or after, due in part to farmers moving from water-seeded to drill-seeded rice.
2 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure
In recent years, severe pressure from weedy rice types and resistant red rice has forced farmers to shift back to water seeding in an effort to minimize losses, despite the disadvantages that come with the system.
With the availability of the Provisia Rice System and improved Provisia rice varieties, however, Louisiana farmers are able to return to using the drill-seeded, delayed flood production system rather than losing agronomic efficiencies with water seeding.
Dr. Tim Walker, general manager of Horizon Ag, said much like the Clearfield Production System for rice revolutionized production in Louisiana by enabling producers to bring red rice under control, the Provisia Rice System with Provisia herbicide provides an effective tool to control weedy rice and resistant red rice that have developed into a costly, production-robbing problem throughout much of the Coastal region in recent years.
“We can learn a lot by looking back 20 years at the dramatic impact planting Clearfield rice in a drill-seeded system had on yields in areas like Southwest Louisiana,” said Dr. Walker. “In the decade prior to 2001, yields were relatively stagnant in the region, with most farmers water seeding rice to achieve red rice control. With the launch of the Clearfield Production System for rice in 2001, Louisiana farmers were able to move to the drill-seeded, delayed flood system and achieve almost a 3x rate of yield increase compared to farmers in Arkansas, who were already drill seeding for the most part and didn’t see as great of an increase.”
He noted that in the last 10 years, that rate of yield increase has fallen in Southwest Louisiana, particularly as the spread of weedy rice and resistant red rice pushed farmers back to water seeding.
Fortunately, with the release in 2020 of PVL02, the second Provisia variety, and soon to be available PVL03, the latest Provisia line, rice farmers now have access to better-performing seed choices to use in what has been described by many farmers as the most effective weed management system available for Southern rice today.
Water seeding rice requires more seed than drill seeding in order to establish an optimum stand. The increased seeding rate is used to overcome reduced germination and seedling survival. Another potential stand establishment hazard of water-seeded rice is the potential for rice seed to move in the water prior to germination and pegging due to high winds and wave action. This seed movement can cause areas of high- and low-plant populations.
Those challenges can be avoided by drill seeding new Provisia varieties like PVL02 in the Provisia Rice System.
“PVL02 is a tremendous improvement over PVL01, particularly in South Louisiana and Texas,” said Dr. Walker. “It has improved yield potential and is 7 to 10 days earlier than PVL01. That earliness works really well for the ratoon crop that is so important in the Coastal rice region. Being able to harvest a crop as much as 10 days earlier in some cases can make a big difference in ratoon crop potential.”
PVL02 is a better milling rice than PVL01, whose long, slender grain tended to break more easily during the milling process. PVL02 is a much shorter grain that holds together better. “We are seeing some phenomenal milling yields with PVL02,” said Dr. Walker. “You hardly ever hear of whole milling rice measuring 70%, but one of our seed farmers this year was proud to tell me he had a couple of lots of rice that milled 70/73, which is a pretty good premium going into his pocket.”
PVL02 also offers a slight advantage over PVL01 when it comes to disease pressure, particularly blast, since the line contains one of the blast-resistant genes. Where PVL01 was rated very susceptible to blast, PVL02 is just rated susceptible. It is rated moderately susceptible to sheath blight and Cercospora, whereas PVL01 is rated susceptible to both.
In 14 trials in Louisiana in 2019 and 2020, PVL02 out-yielded PVL01 by about 1,000 pounds per acre, making the variety much more competitive when farmers put a pencil to planting it in a drill-seeded system, compared to planting a variety like Cheniere water-seeded. That’s especially true considering the agronomic efficiencies of drill seeding and the outstanding weed control with Provisia rice.
From an overall agronomic standpoint, PVL02 should be planted at a rate of 45-55 pounds of treated seed per acre. Nitrogen is very important to manage with the appropriate rate and timing. On silt and sandy loam soils, the optimum rate is 90 pounds of N preflood with a single application, or 75 pounds preflood followed by 45 pounds topdressed at internode elongation in a split application. On silty and clay loams, the N rate is 135 pounds preflood in a single application, or 105 pounds preflood followed by 45 pounds topdressed at internode elongation in a split application.
Horizon Ag also is planning a small launch of the latest Provisia variety, PVL03, in 2021 and a full launch in 2022. The new variety, developed at the LSU Ag Center, provides even greater yield and milling advantages over earlier Provisia variety lines. Perhaps most importantly, it has both Pi-ta and Pi-ks genes for blast resistance, which Dr. Walker said is remarkable being only five years into the launch of the Provisia system in rice.
Louisiana trials in 2019 and 2020 show PVL03 yielding almost 8,500 pounds per acre, out-yielding Cheniere and putting it on par with top-yielding Clearfield lines like CL153 in the Coastal region.
“The conversation with respect to whether to use the Provisia Rice System or continue to water seed with Cheniere until better varieties come along tilts heavily in favor of adopting the Provisia system with variety PVL03,” said Dr. Walker. “Now we can out-perform conventional varieties, achieve the agronomic efficiencies associated with the drill-seeded system, and begin controlling the weedy rice problem that has threatened rice production in the region.”
Graphic caption:
The rate of yield increase in Louisiana was greater in the 10 years after the launch of Clearfield rice than in the decade before or after, due in part to farmers moving from water-seeded to drill-seeded rice.
Performance and Profitability Key Planting Considerations
1 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure
With 2020 firmly in the rearview mirror, Louisiana rice farmers are finalizing planting decisions to position their operations for a successful 2021.
Variety performance with an emphasis on high yields, milling quality and a disease package that minimizes risk and cost are at the top of the list, along with financial considerations like input costs and financing.
“There are a lot of factors that go into planting decisions, but most fall under the umbrella of how to best maximize profitability,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “That means taking into consideration critical factors like variety yield potential and consistency, herbicide system, fertilizer costs and disease management. For many farmers, it also means securing financing at an interest rate that can have a positive impact on cash flow during the season.”
Rice farmers will want to consider the advantages offered by new CLL17 from Horizon Ag, a Louisiana-bred semi-dwarf long grain variety available for commercial planting this season, due to its higher yield potential, blast and Cersopora resistance and potential fertilizer savings.
“CLL17 represents a step up in Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting a variety like CL153, which has been a popular variety in the Coastal region, who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields in 2021.”
CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153 in three years of university testing. In 59 trials throughout the Mid-South, beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas, it averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased,” said Dr. Walker. “It also has solid ratoon crop potential, which is so important in the Coastal region.”
CLL17 milling yields averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
Other key considerations are that CLL17 performs well at a lower seeding rate and suggested nitrogen rate than many other leading varieties, resulting in savings that can impact the bottom line. Horizon Ag currently recommends farmers use a seeding rate of 45 to 60 pounds for CLL17. A nitrogen rate of 90 to 130 pounds is suggested, with the high end reserved for heavy clay soils and fields where rice is followed by rice.
“Saving on seed or fertilizer can have a big impact on financial results at the end of the year,” said Dr. Walker. “When you combine that with CLL17’s outstanding blast and Cercospora resistance, farmers have the potential to more cost-effectively produce a high-yielding, very good grain quality crop of rice.”
Another way to contribute to the bottom line this season is for farmers to capitalize on 0% APR financing from Horizon Ag and BASF, in association with partners John Deere Financial and Rabo AgriFinance. Farmers can use these latest offers to put themselves in a better position to improve overall profitability, and taking advantage of 0% APR financing is also a smart way to plan ahead for timely cash flow management.
“Having the ability to secure 0% financing for seed and herbicide products is not just a good deal for farmers who need the financing for that initial purchase,” said Dr. Walker. “It also can be a strategic approach to ensure cash flow is available to better afford late-season applications essential to maintaining yield potential. We tend to think of rice farming as front-end loaded, in terms of inputs, but it’s often that fungicide application or another practice at the back end of the season that makes a big difference at harvest.”
Over the years, Horizon Ag and BASF have worked together on new technologies that give rice farmers more options, more flexibility and more opportunities to improve profitability. This is the third straight year Horizon Ag and BASF have partnered to provide 0% APR financing for their products.
“Financing is an issue year-in, year-out for many farmers,” said Dr. Walker. “Agriculture has been in a down cycle for some time, and the ability to secure financing at an attractive interest rate is important. The 0% financing programs we’re offering are particularly attractive because they run throughout 2021, allowing farmers to get their rice harvested and at least some of it sold before full payment is due. The programs are excellent from a flexibility standpoint.”
Under the John Deere Financial program, farmers can use their Multi-Use Account to finance what they need this season at 0% APR. They also can choose to use the 0% financing program from Rabo AgriFinance to purchase high-performing products from Horizon Ag and BASF.
Farmers can find out more about new CLL17 and 0% APR financing from Horizon Ag by talking with their Horizon Ag District Field Representative or at HorizonSeed.com.
1 - 1 - 2021
By Scott McClure
With 2020 firmly in the rearview mirror, Louisiana rice farmers are finalizing planting decisions to position their operations for a successful 2021.
Variety performance with an emphasis on high yields, milling quality and a disease package that minimizes risk and cost are at the top of the list, along with financial considerations like input costs and financing.
“There are a lot of factors that go into planting decisions, but most fall under the umbrella of how to best maximize profitability,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “That means taking into consideration critical factors like variety yield potential and consistency, herbicide system, fertilizer costs and disease management. For many farmers, it also means securing financing at an interest rate that can have a positive impact on cash flow during the season.”
Rice farmers will want to consider the advantages offered by new CLL17 from Horizon Ag, a Louisiana-bred semi-dwarf long grain variety available for commercial planting this season, due to its higher yield potential, blast and Cersopora resistance and potential fertilizer savings.
“CLL17 represents a step up in Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting a variety like CL153, which has been a popular variety in the Coastal region, who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields in 2021.”
CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153 in three years of university testing. In 59 trials throughout the Mid-South, beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas, it averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased,” said Dr. Walker. “It also has solid ratoon crop potential, which is so important in the Coastal region.”
CLL17 milling yields averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
Other key considerations are that CLL17 performs well at a lower seeding rate and suggested nitrogen rate than many other leading varieties, resulting in savings that can impact the bottom line. Horizon Ag currently recommends farmers use a seeding rate of 45 to 60 pounds for CLL17. A nitrogen rate of 90 to 130 pounds is suggested, with the high end reserved for heavy clay soils and fields where rice is followed by rice.
“Saving on seed or fertilizer can have a big impact on financial results at the end of the year,” said Dr. Walker. “When you combine that with CLL17’s outstanding blast and Cercospora resistance, farmers have the potential to more cost-effectively produce a high-yielding, very good grain quality crop of rice.”
Another way to contribute to the bottom line this season is for farmers to capitalize on 0% APR financing from Horizon Ag and BASF, in association with partners John Deere Financial and Rabo AgriFinance. Farmers can use these latest offers to put themselves in a better position to improve overall profitability, and taking advantage of 0% APR financing is also a smart way to plan ahead for timely cash flow management.
“Having the ability to secure 0% financing for seed and herbicide products is not just a good deal for farmers who need the financing for that initial purchase,” said Dr. Walker. “It also can be a strategic approach to ensure cash flow is available to better afford late-season applications essential to maintaining yield potential. We tend to think of rice farming as front-end loaded, in terms of inputs, but it’s often that fungicide application or another practice at the back end of the season that makes a big difference at harvest.”
Over the years, Horizon Ag and BASF have worked together on new technologies that give rice farmers more options, more flexibility and more opportunities to improve profitability. This is the third straight year Horizon Ag and BASF have partnered to provide 0% APR financing for their products.
“Financing is an issue year-in, year-out for many farmers,” said Dr. Walker. “Agriculture has been in a down cycle for some time, and the ability to secure financing at an attractive interest rate is important. The 0% financing programs we’re offering are particularly attractive because they run throughout 2021, allowing farmers to get their rice harvested and at least some of it sold before full payment is due. The programs are excellent from a flexibility standpoint.”
Under the John Deere Financial program, farmers can use their Multi-Use Account to finance what they need this season at 0% APR. They also can choose to use the 0% financing program from Rabo AgriFinance to purchase high-performing products from Horizon Ag and BASF.
Farmers can find out more about new CLL17 and 0% APR financing from Horizon Ag by talking with their Horizon Ag District Field Representative or at HorizonSeed.com.
Provisia Rice System
The Only Real Solution for Weedy Rice and Resistant Red Rice
12 - 1 - 2020
By Scott McClure
Southern rice farmers seeking an effective, prof-itable solution to weedy rice and herbicide-resistant red rice infestations have only one truly unique rice system option in 2021 — the Provisia Rice System and Horizon Ag Provisia rice varieties.
Fortunately, it’s an option that’s resulting in what are consistently described as the cleanest rice fields across the South, while also returning fields back to more profitable production.
“There is no technology that’s comparable to Provisia rice for our region today,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager.
“Other seed companies claim they have systems featuring new technology, but they’re actually still using the same herbicide chemistry that has contributed to resistant red rice and weedy rice problems. In fact, if that so-called new technology isn’t being used in a rota-tion with Provisia rice, it may actually be making problems worse.”
PVL02, the second variety available in the Provisia Rice System, was released for the 2020 season and proved to be a significant step change over the first Provisia variety, PVL01, in terms of yield and overall performance.
Due to its improved agronomic characteristics and greater yield potential, PVL02 will replace PVL01 in the Horizon Ag lineup for 2021.
There is a larger supply of seed available for planting throughout the region, and demand is expected to be very strong, especially in areas where weedy and resistant red rice are significant threats.
“A lot of rice farmers had a chance to see PVL02 in action last season and were pleased with what they saw,” he said.
“Compared to PVL01, PVL02 is earlier maturing, which bodes well for southern Louisiana when it comes to a ratoon crop. It has better clarity and lower chalk, and it offers improved milling. It’s also not quite as susceptible to blast.”
In addition, a very limited supply of PVL03 is expected to be available for planting in 2021, giv-ing some farmers a chance to experience firsthand the latest and greatest variety developed for the Provisia Rice System.
PVL03 is in seed production in South Texas this winter.
“With PVL03, we’ll have a variety that rivals the highest-yielding Clearfield varieties, in terms of yield potential, and that will also have the gene for blast resistance, which is very important in areas like South Louisiana,” said Dr. Walker.
“It’s pretty incredible that, in just the short amount of time since the Provisia Rice System was released, we already have a very high-yielding variety that’s resistant to blast.”
The threat from weedy rice and herbicide-resis- ant red rice has become much more widespread throughout the Southern rice growing region in recent seasons, causing significant yield losses.
Fred Zaunbrecher, who farms with his three brothers near Rayne, Louisiana, said good steward-ship of the Clearfield Production System for rice helped delay the development of weedy rice on their farm until recently.
Still, of his approximately 2,000 acres of rice, about 800 acres were infested with weedy rice and resistant red rice.
He started planted PVL01 when it was first released.
“It was a variety that came out a little early, but it was technology that was really needed because folks were having such a hard time with weedy rice taking over fields. There was a need for an alternative to Clearfield rice.”
Zaunbrecher had PVL02 in seed production in 2019 and planted more of the variety in 2020, after seeing the newer variety perform. He said they have been very pleased with the yields and quality of PVL02, with the first and second crop cutting a combined average yield of 11,500 pounds per acre, even after Hurricane Delta reduced the second crop yields by over 20%.
The first lot he delivered milled 68/72.
Most importantly, the Provisia Rice System pro-vided the control they needed to bring their fields back into more profitable production.
“Provisia rice is a game-changer,” he said.
“With PVL02 and Provisia her-bicide, we were able to make very good progress cleaning up those problem fields. The system controlled just about 100% of that weedy rice. You can pretty much control everything if you do it right.
If we’d planted Clearfield rice there instead, we likely would have made just half a normal crop.”
With a larger seed supply for PVL02 available in 2021, Zaunbrecher said farmers who weren’t
able to get seed this past season will likely be turning more to the Provisia Rice System to control problems in their fields.
He expects to plant another 400 acres of his farm in
PVL02 next year. Zaunbrecher said he is also really looking forward to the availabil-ity of PVL03.
“With the earlier Provisia varieties you have to be on top of your fungicide program because both are susceptible to blast,” he said. “PVL03 has resistance to blast, and that will be a step up.”
The Provisia Rice System is comprised of Provisia seed containing the Provisia trait, which allows farmers to safely apply Provisia herbicide.
Used in rotation with the Clearfield Production System for rice, farmers can plant a rice-rice-soybean rotation and an optional fourth year of conventional rice.
They also get flexibility to grow more rice over multiple seasons, while rotat-ing different herbicide modes of action for sustainable management of all resistant rice types and annual grasses.
The Only Real Solution for Weedy Rice and Resistant Red Rice
12 - 1 - 2020
By Scott McClure
Southern rice farmers seeking an effective, prof-itable solution to weedy rice and herbicide-resistant red rice infestations have only one truly unique rice system option in 2021 — the Provisia Rice System and Horizon Ag Provisia rice varieties.
Fortunately, it’s an option that’s resulting in what are consistently described as the cleanest rice fields across the South, while also returning fields back to more profitable production.
“There is no technology that’s comparable to Provisia rice for our region today,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager.
“Other seed companies claim they have systems featuring new technology, but they’re actually still using the same herbicide chemistry that has contributed to resistant red rice and weedy rice problems. In fact, if that so-called new technology isn’t being used in a rota-tion with Provisia rice, it may actually be making problems worse.”
PVL02, the second variety available in the Provisia Rice System, was released for the 2020 season and proved to be a significant step change over the first Provisia variety, PVL01, in terms of yield and overall performance.
Due to its improved agronomic characteristics and greater yield potential, PVL02 will replace PVL01 in the Horizon Ag lineup for 2021.
There is a larger supply of seed available for planting throughout the region, and demand is expected to be very strong, especially in areas where weedy and resistant red rice are significant threats.
“A lot of rice farmers had a chance to see PVL02 in action last season and were pleased with what they saw,” he said.
“Compared to PVL01, PVL02 is earlier maturing, which bodes well for southern Louisiana when it comes to a ratoon crop. It has better clarity and lower chalk, and it offers improved milling. It’s also not quite as susceptible to blast.”
In addition, a very limited supply of PVL03 is expected to be available for planting in 2021, giv-ing some farmers a chance to experience firsthand the latest and greatest variety developed for the Provisia Rice System.
PVL03 is in seed production in South Texas this winter.
“With PVL03, we’ll have a variety that rivals the highest-yielding Clearfield varieties, in terms of yield potential, and that will also have the gene for blast resistance, which is very important in areas like South Louisiana,” said Dr. Walker.
“It’s pretty incredible that, in just the short amount of time since the Provisia Rice System was released, we already have a very high-yielding variety that’s resistant to blast.”
The threat from weedy rice and herbicide-resis- ant red rice has become much more widespread throughout the Southern rice growing region in recent seasons, causing significant yield losses.
Fred Zaunbrecher, who farms with his three brothers near Rayne, Louisiana, said good steward-ship of the Clearfield Production System for rice helped delay the development of weedy rice on their farm until recently.
Still, of his approximately 2,000 acres of rice, about 800 acres were infested with weedy rice and resistant red rice.
He started planted PVL01 when it was first released.
“It was a variety that came out a little early, but it was technology that was really needed because folks were having such a hard time with weedy rice taking over fields. There was a need for an alternative to Clearfield rice.”
Zaunbrecher had PVL02 in seed production in 2019 and planted more of the variety in 2020, after seeing the newer variety perform. He said they have been very pleased with the yields and quality of PVL02, with the first and second crop cutting a combined average yield of 11,500 pounds per acre, even after Hurricane Delta reduced the second crop yields by over 20%.
The first lot he delivered milled 68/72.
Most importantly, the Provisia Rice System pro-vided the control they needed to bring their fields back into more profitable production.
“Provisia rice is a game-changer,” he said.
“With PVL02 and Provisia her-bicide, we were able to make very good progress cleaning up those problem fields. The system controlled just about 100% of that weedy rice. You can pretty much control everything if you do it right.
If we’d planted Clearfield rice there instead, we likely would have made just half a normal crop.”
With a larger seed supply for PVL02 available in 2021, Zaunbrecher said farmers who weren’t
able to get seed this past season will likely be turning more to the Provisia Rice System to control problems in their fields.
He expects to plant another 400 acres of his farm in
PVL02 next year. Zaunbrecher said he is also really looking forward to the availabil-ity of PVL03.
“With the earlier Provisia varieties you have to be on top of your fungicide program because both are susceptible to blast,” he said. “PVL03 has resistance to blast, and that will be a step up.”
The Provisia Rice System is comprised of Provisia seed containing the Provisia trait, which allows farmers to safely apply Provisia herbicide.
Used in rotation with the Clearfield Production System for rice, farmers can plant a rice-rice-soybean rotation and an optional fourth year of conventional rice.
They also get flexibility to grow more rice over multiple seasons, while rotat-ing different herbicide modes of action for sustainable management of all resistant rice types and annual grasses.
New Horizon Ag rice variety CLL17 has the potential to be on a lot of acres in Louisiana in 2021, because of its outstanding yield potential, quality and blast resistance. Photo provided by Horizon Ag.
New CLL17
The Right Combination of High Yields and Blast Resistance
11 - 1 - 2020
By Scott McClure
High yield potential and industry-leading blast resistance are an essential combination for Louisiana rice farmers today who need both characteristics in their rice seed to maximize profitability.
That’s why farmers like Winston Frey, who farms near Eunice, Louisiana, are excited with the commercial launch of new CLL17 from Horizon Ag, a Louisiana-bred Clearfield variety being released for the 2021 season.
Frey, who grows certified seed for Horizon Ag, had 220 acres of CLL17 this past season and was very impressed by its performance.
“All in all, it was awful good,” said Frey. “I was very pleased with it. It was only one year, but we didn’t see disease in it at all. It harvested well and the milling was very good. I’ve got no complaints with CLL17.”
In fact, he’s planning on planting more of the variety in 2021, replacing other varieties that have traditionally performed well but don’t have the total package of high yields and blast resistance.
“I’ve had numerous guys around here ask me if I am going to get away some from CL151, CL153 and maybe even CL111, and go with CLL17,” said Frey. “I think it’s a variety that has the potential to be planted on a lot of acres in the future. That disease package is real important in this area and is the primary reason behind the shift to CLL17. It’s a major game-changer.”
CLL17, an early-season, semi-dwarf long grain rice, was developed at the LSU Ag Center H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. It contains two genes for improved blast resistance and is resistant to Cercospora.
Frey said his first crop CLL17 cut a little over 54 barrels and he had neighbors who cut 55 and 56 barrels. “The second crop looks really good too,” he added.
“I have no complaints with CLL17,” said Frey. “It gave me what I was looking for in a variety. It was very easy to manage and was similar growth-wise and hardy-wise to CL111, which has been a workhorse for us over the years. The disease control with CLL17 is the difference.”
Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, said the new variety has consistently out-yielded CL153, the top-planted Louisiana variety in recent years, in multi-year trials in the state. It has solid ratoon crop potential in addition to featuring outstanding resistance to blast. CLL17 also has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
“It’s exciting to work with our university and technology partners to bring forward advanced varieties like CLL17 that set the stage for farmers to make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” said Dr. Walker. “CLL17 represents the next generation of Clearfield® varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast. It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting CL153 who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields.”
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
Dr. Walker added that CLL17 in seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.”
Milling yields for CLL17 averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
“CLL17 will fit best in fields where Clearfield is still a viable option,” said Dr. Walker. “It provides yields equal to or greater than the highest yielding Clearfield varieties without farmers having to worry about blast. In fact, because of its excellent blast package, the variety should also fit in highly managed row rice systems that are becoming more and more popular in areas like North Louisiana.”
He added that with CLL17 joining Provisia variety PVL02 from Horizon Ag, Louisiana farmers now have a strong one-two punch to maximize crop performance and profitability in their fields.
“We expect demand for both CLL17 and PVL02 to be very strong this planting season because of their outstanding performance,” said Dr. Walker. “Farmers have been hearing about these varieties in recent years and now have a chance to bring that potential to their farms in 2021.”
The Right Combination of High Yields and Blast Resistance
11 - 1 - 2020
By Scott McClure
High yield potential and industry-leading blast resistance are an essential combination for Louisiana rice farmers today who need both characteristics in their rice seed to maximize profitability.
That’s why farmers like Winston Frey, who farms near Eunice, Louisiana, are excited with the commercial launch of new CLL17 from Horizon Ag, a Louisiana-bred Clearfield variety being released for the 2021 season.
Frey, who grows certified seed for Horizon Ag, had 220 acres of CLL17 this past season and was very impressed by its performance.
“All in all, it was awful good,” said Frey. “I was very pleased with it. It was only one year, but we didn’t see disease in it at all. It harvested well and the milling was very good. I’ve got no complaints with CLL17.”
In fact, he’s planning on planting more of the variety in 2021, replacing other varieties that have traditionally performed well but don’t have the total package of high yields and blast resistance.
“I’ve had numerous guys around here ask me if I am going to get away some from CL151, CL153 and maybe even CL111, and go with CLL17,” said Frey. “I think it’s a variety that has the potential to be planted on a lot of acres in the future. That disease package is real important in this area and is the primary reason behind the shift to CLL17. It’s a major game-changer.”
CLL17, an early-season, semi-dwarf long grain rice, was developed at the LSU Ag Center H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. It contains two genes for improved blast resistance and is resistant to Cercospora.
Frey said his first crop CLL17 cut a little over 54 barrels and he had neighbors who cut 55 and 56 barrels. “The second crop looks really good too,” he added.
“I have no complaints with CLL17,” said Frey. “It gave me what I was looking for in a variety. It was very easy to manage and was similar growth-wise and hardy-wise to CL111, which has been a workhorse for us over the years. The disease control with CLL17 is the difference.”
Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, said the new variety has consistently out-yielded CL153, the top-planted Louisiana variety in recent years, in multi-year trials in the state. It has solid ratoon crop potential in addition to featuring outstanding resistance to blast. CLL17 also has proven to provide excellent milling yield and very good grain quality.
“It’s exciting to work with our university and technology partners to bring forward advanced varieties like CLL17 that set the stage for farmers to make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” said Dr. Walker. “CLL17 represents the next generation of Clearfield® varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast. It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting CL153 who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields.”
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 6% higher yields than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
Dr. Walker added that CLL17 in seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.”
Milling yields for CLL17 averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
“CLL17 will fit best in fields where Clearfield is still a viable option,” said Dr. Walker. “It provides yields equal to or greater than the highest yielding Clearfield varieties without farmers having to worry about blast. In fact, because of its excellent blast package, the variety should also fit in highly managed row rice systems that are becoming more and more popular in areas like North Louisiana.”
He added that with CLL17 joining Provisia variety PVL02 from Horizon Ag, Louisiana farmers now have a strong one-two punch to maximize crop performance and profitability in their fields.
“We expect demand for both CLL17 and PVL02 to be very strong this planting season because of their outstanding performance,” said Dr. Walker. “Farmers have been hearing about these varieties in recent years and now have a chance to bring that potential to their farms in 2021.”
Horizon Ag variety CLL17 will be available in 2021 and has shown strong yield potential and very good grain quality.
Photo provided by Horizon Ag.
2020 Variety Performance Sets Stage for Planting Next Season
10 -1- 2020
By Scott McClure
With rice harvest in full swing in many areas and the crop making rapid progress in others, reports are coming in regarding the strong performance of several new Horizon Ag Clearfield varieties like CLL17, as well as the effectiveness of the Provisia Rice System and variety PVL02 in controlling grass and weedy rice.
Louisiana farmers are already starting to call to book seed for 2021, according to Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, adding that new Clearfield varieties for 2021, CLL17 and CLL16, are both garnering attention due to their potential for significantly higher yields and outstanding grain quality. They join CLL15 and CLM04, two Clearfield varieties that were first available in 2020, as leading Clearfield contenders for planting next season.
In addition, PVL02, the latest Provisia rice variety, is proving its value in Louisiana in 2020, providing higher yield potential and milling quality than PVL01, while enabling farmers to effectively control red rice, weedy rice and ALS-resistant grasses that have been hindering profitability.
“The Provisia Rice System is being used more and more in a rotational system with Clearfield varieties and soybeans to bring these problem fields back into production,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s an effective technology that, when correctly stewarded, is proving to be a valuable tool; and PVL02 is showing to be a steady performer in the system.”
Farmers looking ahead to the 2021 season can expect the following from Horizon Ag:
NEW: CLL17: An early-season, semi-dwarf, long grain Clearfield rice from the breeding program of Dr. Adam Famoso at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Over years of testing, CLL17 has shown strong yield potential, excellent milling yield and very good grain quality. It also has the blast-resistant gene that can be critical in Louisiana rice production. Dr. Famoso, speaking at the recent online field day in Crowley, Louisiana, said CLL17 had yield potential 5% to 8% higher than CL153, one of the most popular planted varieties in recent years in Louisiana.
“CLL17 will replace CL153 as the variety of choice in Louisiana and other areas because of its superior yield potential and consistency,” said Dr. Walker. “For that reason, we’re planning to have a good supply of seed ready to meet what we expect to be a high demand.”
NEW: CLL16: A high-performing, long grain Clearfield variety developed by the University of Arkansas, CLL16 has shown excellent rough rice yields and industry-leading blast tolerance. Dr. Walker noted that the new variety has “a milled product that continues to bring back the Gold Standard rice the Southern USA has historically produced. Based on its performance and potential, we expect CLL16 to be a great addition to our Clearfield variety lineup and get a lot of interest.”
PVL02: PVL02 was available in limited supplies for planting this season and proved again it represents a step-up in yield potential, agronomic characteristics and tolerance to Provisia herbicide compared to PVL01. PVL02 is also about seven days earlier, which bodes well for southern Louisiana when it comes to a ratoon crop. It has clarity and low chalk comparable to PVL01 and improved milling yields. Another advantage is that PVL02 is not quite as susceptible to blast.
“We saw a significant jump in demand for Provisia rice varieties this year, and particularly for PVL02,” said Dr. Walker. “Across the region, farmers are saying Provisia fields are their cleanest fields. PVL02 will be in good supply and will get strong consideration on a lot of acreage in 2021.”
CLL15: One of Horizon Ag’s most popular varieties in 2020, CLL15 is an Arkansas-bred, semi- dwarf long grain variety that has shown average yields about 5 to 10 bushels higher than varietal industry standards like CL151 and CL153. It also has excellent milling characteristics, good grain length and low chalk, along with broad-spectrum blast resistance and very good standability.
“In 2020, CLL15 has continued to stand out, with farmers telling us they are expecting big things at harvest based on how it has looked all year,” said Dr. Walker. “That’s really no surprise because it was a strong performer in tests before its commercial release, challenging hybrid yield potential without the hybrid seed cost. It’s won a place on many farms throughout the region.”
CLM04: Developed at the Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center, medium grain CLM04 was first planted commercially in 2020 and has shown tremendous yield potential and stability. It has improved blast tolerance compared to Jupiter and milled grain characteristics similar to those found in Jupiter and Titan.
“For farmers considering planting a medium grain rice, CLM04 combines the benefits of a Clearfield variety with the quality and performance potential needed to consistently maximize ROI,” said Dr. Walker.
CL151: Since its release, this early, semi-dwarf rice has been planted on more acreage than any other Clearfield variety or hybrid. Until the launch of the newest Clearfield varieties, it had the highest yield potential of any pure-line variety.
CL111: A very early, semi-dwarf variety extremely popular in Louisiana due to its excellent first- and second-crop yield potential. It produces a highly marketable grain accepted both domestically and internationally.
CL163: The first Clearfield variety that has the “Dixiebelle” cook type that is preferred for rice processing. CL163 has received favorable reviews for key export countries in the Western Hemisphere. “CL163, because of identity-preserved price premiums, may be one of the most profitable rice varieties we have offered in recent years,” said Dr. Walker.
CLJ01: The first Clearfield aromatic “Jasmine” type rice variety will continue to offer farmers the convenience and effectiveness of the Clearfield technology, with excellent grain quality and yield potential better than most Jasmine-type varieties.
10 -1- 2020
By Scott McClure
With rice harvest in full swing in many areas and the crop making rapid progress in others, reports are coming in regarding the strong performance of several new Horizon Ag Clearfield varieties like CLL17, as well as the effectiveness of the Provisia Rice System and variety PVL02 in controlling grass and weedy rice.
Louisiana farmers are already starting to call to book seed for 2021, according to Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, adding that new Clearfield varieties for 2021, CLL17 and CLL16, are both garnering attention due to their potential for significantly higher yields and outstanding grain quality. They join CLL15 and CLM04, two Clearfield varieties that were first available in 2020, as leading Clearfield contenders for planting next season.
In addition, PVL02, the latest Provisia rice variety, is proving its value in Louisiana in 2020, providing higher yield potential and milling quality than PVL01, while enabling farmers to effectively control red rice, weedy rice and ALS-resistant grasses that have been hindering profitability.
“The Provisia Rice System is being used more and more in a rotational system with Clearfield varieties and soybeans to bring these problem fields back into production,” said Dr. Walker. “It’s an effective technology that, when correctly stewarded, is proving to be a valuable tool; and PVL02 is showing to be a steady performer in the system.”
Farmers looking ahead to the 2021 season can expect the following from Horizon Ag:
NEW: CLL17: An early-season, semi-dwarf, long grain Clearfield rice from the breeding program of Dr. Adam Famoso at the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Over years of testing, CLL17 has shown strong yield potential, excellent milling yield and very good grain quality. It also has the blast-resistant gene that can be critical in Louisiana rice production. Dr. Famoso, speaking at the recent online field day in Crowley, Louisiana, said CLL17 had yield potential 5% to 8% higher than CL153, one of the most popular planted varieties in recent years in Louisiana.
“CLL17 will replace CL153 as the variety of choice in Louisiana and other areas because of its superior yield potential and consistency,” said Dr. Walker. “For that reason, we’re planning to have a good supply of seed ready to meet what we expect to be a high demand.”
NEW: CLL16: A high-performing, long grain Clearfield variety developed by the University of Arkansas, CLL16 has shown excellent rough rice yields and industry-leading blast tolerance. Dr. Walker noted that the new variety has “a milled product that continues to bring back the Gold Standard rice the Southern USA has historically produced. Based on its performance and potential, we expect CLL16 to be a great addition to our Clearfield variety lineup and get a lot of interest.”
PVL02: PVL02 was available in limited supplies for planting this season and proved again it represents a step-up in yield potential, agronomic characteristics and tolerance to Provisia herbicide compared to PVL01. PVL02 is also about seven days earlier, which bodes well for southern Louisiana when it comes to a ratoon crop. It has clarity and low chalk comparable to PVL01 and improved milling yields. Another advantage is that PVL02 is not quite as susceptible to blast.
“We saw a significant jump in demand for Provisia rice varieties this year, and particularly for PVL02,” said Dr. Walker. “Across the region, farmers are saying Provisia fields are their cleanest fields. PVL02 will be in good supply and will get strong consideration on a lot of acreage in 2021.”
CLL15: One of Horizon Ag’s most popular varieties in 2020, CLL15 is an Arkansas-bred, semi- dwarf long grain variety that has shown average yields about 5 to 10 bushels higher than varietal industry standards like CL151 and CL153. It also has excellent milling characteristics, good grain length and low chalk, along with broad-spectrum blast resistance and very good standability.
“In 2020, CLL15 has continued to stand out, with farmers telling us they are expecting big things at harvest based on how it has looked all year,” said Dr. Walker. “That’s really no surprise because it was a strong performer in tests before its commercial release, challenging hybrid yield potential without the hybrid seed cost. It’s won a place on many farms throughout the region.”
CLM04: Developed at the Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center, medium grain CLM04 was first planted commercially in 2020 and has shown tremendous yield potential and stability. It has improved blast tolerance compared to Jupiter and milled grain characteristics similar to those found in Jupiter and Titan.
“For farmers considering planting a medium grain rice, CLM04 combines the benefits of a Clearfield variety with the quality and performance potential needed to consistently maximize ROI,” said Dr. Walker.
CL151: Since its release, this early, semi-dwarf rice has been planted on more acreage than any other Clearfield variety or hybrid. Until the launch of the newest Clearfield varieties, it had the highest yield potential of any pure-line variety.
CL111: A very early, semi-dwarf variety extremely popular in Louisiana due to its excellent first- and second-crop yield potential. It produces a highly marketable grain accepted both domestically and internationally.
CL163: The first Clearfield variety that has the “Dixiebelle” cook type that is preferred for rice processing. CL163 has received favorable reviews for key export countries in the Western Hemisphere. “CL163, because of identity-preserved price premiums, may be one of the most profitable rice varieties we have offered in recent years,” said Dr. Walker.
CLJ01: The first Clearfield aromatic “Jasmine” type rice variety will continue to offer farmers the convenience and effectiveness of the Clearfield technology, with excellent grain quality and yield potential better than most Jasmine-type varieties.
CLL17 has consistently averaged higher yields compared to CL153 and CL111.
Photo provided by Horizon Ag.
CLL17 and PVL02 Garnering Interest for 2021 Planting
9 -1- 2020
By Scott McClure
As Louisiana farmers begin focusing on variety selection for 2021, two standouts are rising to the top of their consideration list, based on improved yield potential, quality and overall agronomic performance.
The first is new CLL17, a long grain Clearfield variety released by the Louisiana State University AgCenter. CLL17 has consistently averaged higher yields in university trials compared to CL153 and CL111, two Clearfield staples that have been planted on a considerable number of rice acres in the state in recent years.
The second is PVL02, the latest variety released for the Provisia Rice System, and which was available for commercial planting for the first time in 2020.
In its inaugural season, PVL02 didn’t disappoint, doing an outstanding job of helping farmers effectively clean up fields infested with weedy rice and resistant red rice, while consistently providing higher yields and better milling quality than PVL01, the first Provisia rice variety.
Both CLL17 and PVL02 will be available next season from Horizon Ag through approved retailers in the state.
“We’re excited to work with our university and technology partners to bring forward advanced varieties like these two that set the stage for farmers to make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “CLL17, for example, represents the next generation of Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast. It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting CL153 or CL111 who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields.”
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 5.8% higher yield than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
Dr. Walker added that CLL17 in seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.”
Milling yields for CLL17 averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
Another critical advantage for many areas of Louisiana is that CLL17 contains two genes for improved blast resistance. It also is resistant to Cercospora.
“CLL17 will fit best in fields where Clearfield is still a viable option,” said Dr. Walker. “It provides yields equal to or greater than CL151 without farmers having to worry about blast. Because of its excellent blast package, the variety should also fit in highly managed row rice systems that are becoming more and more popular in North Louisiana.”
“We fully expect CLL17 to become the most popular Clearfield variety in the state because of its overall performance potential, including its yield advantage over varieties like CL153 and CL111,” he added. “Farmers have been hearing about its performance in tests in recent years and now have a chance to bring that potential to their farms in 2021.”
Provisia variety PVL02 saw a dramatic surge in interest in its first year of availability last season, although seed supplies were limited at launch. This year, Horizon Ag expects to have an increased supply of PVL02 seed available to meet the growing need for farmers to add the Provisia Rice System to their rotations to control weedy rice and resistant red rice that are lowering yields and profitability.
“We continue to hear that PVL02 acres will increase tremendously in 2021,” said Dr. Walker.
PVL02 is a long grain variety with typical Southern U.S. long grain cooking characteristics. In LSU testing, it has shown a 15% better yield, is more stable across multiple environments, and has improved tolerance to Provisia herbicide, as well as very low chalk and excellent milling. PVL02 also is 7-10 days earlier in maturity than PVL01, which is important for those who ratoon.
Dr. Walker noted that many farmers who planted PVL02 reported they were pleased with its performance this season and are already inquiring about increasing acreage in 2021.
“We consistently hear that fields with Provisia rice and Provisia herbicide are the cleanest looking fields throughout the region,” said Dr. Walker. “In most cases, PVL02 yields exceeded expectations. The later-planted rice was impacted by panicle blight/sterility. Still, many fields of PVL02 yielded between 45 and 50 barrels per acre with excellent weed control.”
He said PVL02, because of its higher yield potential, will replace PVL01 going forward and should continue being a valuable tool, by providing outstanding weed control and helping extend the effectiveness of the Clearfield Production System for Rice.
“There are a lot of fields in South Louisiana and other areas that need to be planted in Provisia rice to bring back profitable production,” said Dr. Walker. “PVL02 also is a good option for farmers wanting to get ahead of resistance problems that are just starting to develop. A multi-year rotation program will provide the stewardship approach both of these important technologies need to be around for a long time."
9 -1- 2020
By Scott McClure
As Louisiana farmers begin focusing on variety selection for 2021, two standouts are rising to the top of their consideration list, based on improved yield potential, quality and overall agronomic performance.
The first is new CLL17, a long grain Clearfield variety released by the Louisiana State University AgCenter. CLL17 has consistently averaged higher yields in university trials compared to CL153 and CL111, two Clearfield staples that have been planted on a considerable number of rice acres in the state in recent years.
The second is PVL02, the latest variety released for the Provisia Rice System, and which was available for commercial planting for the first time in 2020.
In its inaugural season, PVL02 didn’t disappoint, doing an outstanding job of helping farmers effectively clean up fields infested with weedy rice and resistant red rice, while consistently providing higher yields and better milling quality than PVL01, the first Provisia rice variety.
Both CLL17 and PVL02 will be available next season from Horizon Ag through approved retailers in the state.
“We’re excited to work with our university and technology partners to bring forward advanced varieties like these two that set the stage for farmers to make higher yields and achieve a better return on investment,” said Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager. “CLL17, for example, represents the next generation of Clearfield varieties in Louisiana, providing farmers the complete package of strong yield potential, excellent milling yield, very good grain quality and resistance to blast. It’s a great fit for farmers who have been planting CL153 or CL111 who want to raise the bar for performance potential in their fields.”
In three years of university testing, CLL17 averaged 5.8% higher yield than CL153. And in 59 trials throughout the Mid-South Rice Belt beginning in 2015, the variety averaged 7,841 pounds per acre for the main crop, compared to 7,155 pounds for CL111, 7,330 pounds for CL153 and 6,653 pounds for Cheniere, according to LSU AgCenter data.
In 2019, the average yield advantage was 7% over CL153 across 20 tests in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
Dr. Walker added that CLL17 in seed production fields in South Louisiana and Texas averaged 50-plus barrels per acre, “and in our foundation field at the rice station, it yielded 59 barrels per acre, which was higher than any other variety ever increased.”
Milling yields for CLL17 averaged roughly 60/70 across 41 trials, compared to 63/71 for CL111, 62/71 for CL153 and 63/72 for Cheniere.
Another critical advantage for many areas of Louisiana is that CLL17 contains two genes for improved blast resistance. It also is resistant to Cercospora.
“CLL17 will fit best in fields where Clearfield is still a viable option,” said Dr. Walker. “It provides yields equal to or greater than CL151 without farmers having to worry about blast. Because of its excellent blast package, the variety should also fit in highly managed row rice systems that are becoming more and more popular in North Louisiana.”
“We fully expect CLL17 to become the most popular Clearfield variety in the state because of its overall performance potential, including its yield advantage over varieties like CL153 and CL111,” he added. “Farmers have been hearing about its performance in tests in recent years and now have a chance to bring that potential to their farms in 2021.”
Provisia variety PVL02 saw a dramatic surge in interest in its first year of availability last season, although seed supplies were limited at launch. This year, Horizon Ag expects to have an increased supply of PVL02 seed available to meet the growing need for farmers to add the Provisia Rice System to their rotations to control weedy rice and resistant red rice that are lowering yields and profitability.
“We continue to hear that PVL02 acres will increase tremendously in 2021,” said Dr. Walker.
PVL02 is a long grain variety with typical Southern U.S. long grain cooking characteristics. In LSU testing, it has shown a 15% better yield, is more stable across multiple environments, and has improved tolerance to Provisia herbicide, as well as very low chalk and excellent milling. PVL02 also is 7-10 days earlier in maturity than PVL01, which is important for those who ratoon.
Dr. Walker noted that many farmers who planted PVL02 reported they were pleased with its performance this season and are already inquiring about increasing acreage in 2021.
“We consistently hear that fields with Provisia rice and Provisia herbicide are the cleanest looking fields throughout the region,” said Dr. Walker. “In most cases, PVL02 yields exceeded expectations. The later-planted rice was impacted by panicle blight/sterility. Still, many fields of PVL02 yielded between 45 and 50 barrels per acre with excellent weed control.”
He said PVL02, because of its higher yield potential, will replace PVL01 going forward and should continue being a valuable tool, by providing outstanding weed control and helping extend the effectiveness of the Clearfield Production System for Rice.
“There are a lot of fields in South Louisiana and other areas that need to be planted in Provisia rice to bring back profitable production,” said Dr. Walker. “PVL02 also is a good option for farmers wanting to get ahead of resistance problems that are just starting to develop. A multi-year rotation program will provide the stewardship approach both of these important technologies need to be around for a long time."