2017 rcoy

Robb Dedman

PHOTOS BY CARROLL SMITH

Robb Dedman goes over his recommendations with rice farmer Jim Whitaker. “My farmers know when I make recommendations, I really want them carried out about 30 minutes ago,” Dedman says. “When farmers are timely and efficient, my style and approach work well, and they get the most out of their operations.”

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here I grew up in Pine Bluff, it was cool to be a cotton scout for the University of Arkansas in the summertime,” says Arkansas consultant Robb Dedman. “When I was a senior in high school, I applied for a scouting job with UA, but the program was full.”

Although that door had closed, another one opened when Dr. Nathan Slaton asked Dedman to work with him. At the time, Slaton was the Extension agent for Jefferson County.

“He gave me the chance to be a rice scout, and rice soon became my passion,” Dedman says. “In looking back, everything kind of fits, considering I lived in Stuttgart until I was 7 years old. As a young kid, my backyard was a rice field.”

The Arkansas consultant graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in agronomy and then worked for a short time in the poultry business. He soon came home to Pine Bluff and worked in retail at a farm store. In 2002, Dedman had the opportunity to become an independent consultant and started Ultimate Ag Consulting Inc. “I learned a lot from my good friends and consultants Jack Haney, Tracy Welch and Keith Shelton,” he says. “I also learned a lot from experience — the school of hard knocks — from being with farmers out in the field.”

Today, Dedman primarily works in the Delta area of southeast Arkansas — Desha, Chicot, Ashley and Drew counties.

In addition to rice, he consults on soybeans, corn and wheat and provides soil sampling and data management along with various other services.

COVER PHOTO BY VICKY BOYD

“For example, I also analyze yield maps, work with GPS on the tractors and help my farmers set up their planters in the spring and their combines at harvest,” Dedman says.

A Day In The Life During the busy growing season, Dedman’s day starts off early. During his 50-mile commute to the field, he’s on the phone talking to his farmers.

“We’re discussing things like herbicide plans, fertility plans and what’s going on with the crop,” he says. “My driving time provides an opportunity to take care of this type of business and visit with the farmer.”

Dedman says he tries to quit about 6 p.m., but that doesn’t happen very often. He usually knocks off at dark and has that same ride back to the house. Most of the time, he is again talking to his farmers and recapping what he observed.

“My farmers expect a lot out of me, and I expect a lot out of them,” Dedman says. “They know when I make recommendations, I really want them carried out about 30 minutes ago. When farmers are timely and efficient, my style and approach work well, and they get the most out of their operations.”

Challenges And Rewards Dedman says one of the biggest challenges consultants face today is managing the weed spectrum and battling herbicide-resistant weeds.

“I am grateful for the effective rice herbicides we have in our arsenal and especially grateful for the new ones being brought to market to help combat resistance issues,” he says.

Another challenge is maintaining sustainability while staying in tune with consumers.

“Consultants have to make the recommendations,” he says.

“If we are trying to conserve water, then we have to make waterconserving recommendations. If a consumer is looking for a sustainably grown, environmentally friendly product, our recommendations have to reflect that as well. Consultants have to be focused on both farmer needs and consumer desires.”

Dedman says a consultant’s ultimate reward at the end of the year is seeing the smile on a farmer’s face. Other rewards are harvesting high yields and having a positive effect on the environment.

“A good example is a project we are conducting on Jim Whitaker’s farm,” he says. “We have a three-year average of pumping less than 12 acre-inches of water to produce a rice crop. The estimated average for Arkansas is 35 acre-inches. It’s a good feeling to know that some of the recommendations I make are creating an efficiency for the farmer and helping the environment.”

Dedman also appreciates the opportunities provided by hybrid rice and improved varietal performance that help producers remain profitable. And advancements in precision agriculture allow him to study maps and create data sets to fi nd small problems in fields and correct them.

Communicate, Get Involved Dedman is not “an island unto himself.” He believes in communicating not only with his farmers but also with other consultants, university and industry personnel, and members and staff of organizations such as USA Rice.

“I call some of my consultant friends every day, sometimes several times

For the past 10 years, Dedman has consulted on rice and other crops for Arkansas farmers Jim Whitaker (left) and his brother, Sam.

VICKY BOYD

Arkansas farmer Matt Miles (left) farms with his son, Layne. Matt says, “Robb turned our farm into an innovative and profitable operation.”

Kudos From The Field “Robb uses a ‘total approach’ consulting method that keeps him involved throughout the year and enables our farm to stay profitable. He is dedicated and cares about our farm as if it were his own. Robb also is a devoted husband, father and friend.”

— Jim Whitaker, Arkansas farmer ww “Robb is very knowledgeable about the newest technologies and techniques. He provides ultimate service, which results in our growing top-yielding crops for a net return. In today’s environment, that is tough.”

— Matt Miles, Arkansas farmer ww “Robb is very meticulous about his work and does not leave any detail to question. He pushes his growers to try new technologies and achieve maximum yields while minimizing the impact on the environment.”

— Brian Ottis, RiceTec ww “Robb is not just a consultant but is a major team member who goes way beyond just providing bug counts. Because of his outstanding efforts, this farm is one of the most improved, profitable and valuable farms we manage.”

— Ted L. Glaub, Glaub Farm Management

PHOTOS COURTESY ROBB DEDMAN

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Robb Dedman and his wife, Jennifer, pose in front of Old Main — the oldest building on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. a day,” he says. “We ask each other’s advice about problems we are seeing in the field. I often get help from university people in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. And I also lean on company reps to find answers.

“If I could give advice to young people who are contemplating a career in consulting, I would say, ‘Make sure you are passionate about it, learn more than what’s in the books and get involved with groups that influence the industry. Don’t just sit on the sidelines.’

“As a member of the Rice Leadership Development Program 2013-15 class and the 2015 International Rice Leadership class that visited Thailand, I highly recommend applying for the program through USA Rice.”

The Arkansas consultant also believes in reciprocating.

When he has success even with something as simple as a weed control approach or a fertility program, he wants to tell the rest of the industry about it.

“Some people may call this bragging,” Dedman says. “I call it being an open book. We face a lot of challenges in our industry. If someone finds something that works, they need to share it with others. We are all in this together.”

‘Small Piece Of The Puzzle’ When Dedman learned he had been chosen as the 2017 Rice Consultant of the Year, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, RebelEX herbicide and Rice Farming, he says he was stunned, humbled and honored. The award recognizes the dedication, leadership and innovation of this crucial segment of the U.S. rice industry.

“The first thing that went through my mind are all my consultant friends I consider to be some of the best,” he says. “My career has been a fun trip, and I have had some successes. But I am just a small piece of the puzzle. I owe a lot to the consultants I collaborate with, my farmers and the men and women

Robb Dedman likes to spend quality with his sons during the off-season. He and his older son, Caleb, enjoy hunting together.

On the opening morning of deer season this past November, Caleb shows off the 8-point deer he bagged. Dedman says his younger son, Dylan, “fell in love with football” after playing for the fifth and sixth grade Rison Pee-Wee League for the first time in 2017. Dedman and Dylan are all smiles after Dylan’s team won its Super Bowl game following a near-perfect season.

Robb Dedman At A Glance Background w Raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he attended school at Watson Chapel. w Graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1995. w Earned a bachelor of science degree in agronomy. w Established Ultimate Ag Consulting Inc. in 2002. w Consults on rice, soybeans, corn and wheat in the Delta area of southeast Arkansas — Desha, Chicot, Ashley and Drew counties.

Family Life Dedman and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Rison, Arkansas.

They have two sons: Caleb Ryan, 15, and Dylan Everett, 11. who work on the farms, and the industry people who support me. The honor really goes to all of them.”

Dedman is also grateful for the support of his family — his wife, Jennifer, and sons Caleb and Dylan.

“I’ve been married to Jennifer for 20 years in May,” he says.

“I was in the ag industry when we married, and I am still here today. I can never give her enough credit for her support and caring. And during the busy season, I take the boys to the field with me every chance I get. My job as a consultant is demanding so every minute we spend together as a family is quality time.”

It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Robb Dedman as the 2017 Rice Consultant of the Year.

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