Rice Farming December 2023

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PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

2023 CROP PERFORMANCE

Extension specialists discuss their state’s rice performance

DECEMBER 2023

INSIDE: 2023 RICE AWARD WINNERS

2024 Rice Seed Guide

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December 2023

Columns

Vol. 58, No. 1

Cover Story

4

From the Editor

6

USA Rice Update

Planning Ahead

USA Rice Turns the Page

D e pa rt m e n t s 8

Specialists Speaking

2023 Crop Review

19 Industry News

2024 Rice Seed Guide

Rice Business Scene

ON THE COVER: Harvest at Sohnrey Family Foods, based in Oroville, California.

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Photo by Fred Rehrman

Dyna-Gro, Horizon Ag, and RiceTec present their rice variety and hybrid listings available in the Mid-South, Texas, and the South for the 2024 season.

F e at u r e s DECEMBER 2023

ONE GROWER PUBLISHING, LLC

25 Drone App Creation

New app helps drones improve farm efficiency

Early Soybean Production System

25

How Variety Development in Texas Influenced the South

A Supplement to Cotton Farming and Rice Farming Magazines

Look for the Soybean South supplement following page 26 in the the Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas versions of Rice Farming.

RICE AWARDS 2023

and USA Rice Horizon Ag, Rice Farming recipients are proud to bring you the The program of the 2023 Rice Awards. for their highlights three honorees of the U.S. contributions to the success Farmer of Rice the through rice industry Award and the Year, the Rice Industry Award. the Rice Lifetime Achievement

GET CONNECTED Stay up to date with the latest from Rice Farming.

2023 Rice Awards Horizon Ag, Rice Farming and USA Rice are proud to bring you the recipients of the 2023 Rice Awards. The program highlights three honorees for their contributions to the success of the U.S. rice industry through the Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award. Page 11

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DECEMBER 2023 | RICE FARMING

3

From The

Editor

Planning Ahead Growing up, I was always one of those people with a fully detailed five-year plan written down and set to the side. I found one of those plans recently and couldn’t help but laugh. Out loud. A lot. Let’s just say I am able to (and dare I say sometimes thrive when I) go through both short and long-term seasons of unexpected change much more than I would have a decade ago. Over the past several years, I’ve learned to look ahead to what I can plan for and leave some room for flexibility at the same time because — as we all know — not much goes along perfectly with our plans in life.

This month’s issue of Rice Farming is full of Cassidy Nemec examples for planning ahead as we can.

Editor Extension specialists from U.S. rice-producing states relay their thoughts on the 2023 season in pages eight through 10. Hunter Bowman, Mississippi State University Extension rice specialist, said “Another positive toward the end of the year was many growers began needing more storage than originally planned for the rice crop.“ This was obviously a good surprise and one to keep in mind and plan for moving forward.

Pages 11 through 18 detail the winners of the 2023 Rice Awards: Rice Farmer of the Year, Mr. Jeremy Jones of Arkansas; Rice Industry Award, Dr. Ronnie Levy of Louisiana; and Rice Lifetime Achievement Award, Mrs. Betsy Ward of USA Rice.

Each one of these three individuals is well-versed in the industry and the unique challenges that come with it. Overcoming obstacles and changes in plans were both parts of the puzzle that led them to where they are today. Help me wish all of them congratulations!

The 2024 Rice Seed Guide is listed from pages 22 through 24. Dyna-Gro, Horizon Ag, and RiceTec have sent in their variety listings for the next year, which are going to be great pieces of information to gather when preparing for the 2024 crop.

Though you can’t plan for everything, you can do the best you can with the information given to find what best applies to your operation.

Whether it be the uncertain weather, the lack of finality of the Farm Bill, or the ever-changing landscape of water regulations, there are many aspects to the rice industry that may shift at a moment’s notice. Plan for what you can, leave some room for change, and start the next year off right.

I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Cassidy

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Cassidy Nemec cnemec@onegrower.com Copy Editor Carroll Smith csmith@onegrower.com Digital Content Editor Katie Guthrie kguthrie@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe akumpe@onegrower.com

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

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

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

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© Copyright 2023

Send comments to: Editor, Rice Farming Magazine, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017 or email cnemec@onegrower.com.

4 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

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RICEFARMING.COM

Two New Varieties Join Horizon Ag Portfolio for 2024 For the 2024 season, farmers will have access to two new, elite Horizon Ag varieties that have proven their potential for superior performance in multi-year, multi-location testing in the region.

CLL19, a semi-dwarf Clearfield® line from the Louisiana State University AgCenter rice breeding program, and PVL04, the first Provisia® rice variety from the University of Arkansas breeding program, will join other proven, popular offerings from Horizon Ag like CLL18, CLL16 and PVL03.

About CLL19

About PVL04

New CLL19 represents a significant step up over Horizon Ag CLL17 in terms of higher yield potential and stalk strength and offers excellent blast resistance and milling quality.

New PVL04, from the breeders at the University of Arkansas, provides farmers even more choices when using the Provisia Rice System to manage resistant weedy rice, red rice and grasses.

Dr. Adam Famoso, LSU AgCenter rice breeder, said the excitement being shown regarding CLL19 coming to market is warranted, based on its consistently strong performance in testing over the past five seasons.

When PVL03 was launched two years ago it proved to be a game changer, in terms of performance potential. As a result, PVL03 was the top planted variety in Louisiana in 2023, and saw acreage gains throughout the region

“It’s shown to be a really high yielding line that is very, very stable,” said Dr. Famoso, speaking to farmers at Horizon Ag’s Louisiana Field Day last summer. “Its yields are right up there with CLL16 and CLL18, and it has very good milling potential. CLL19 is also early, with a maturity more like CL111, but with much higher yield potential. It will fit well in a ratoon crop system.”

PVL04 has shown to be comparable to PVL03 in the Coastal Region while offering slightly improved yields over PVL03 in the Upper Delta. It also has proven to be an excellent package quality rice.

Zack Tanner, who farms near Bernie, Missouri and who produces seed for Horizon Ag said that CLL19 was planted side-by-side with CLL18, an extremely high-yielding variety, and looked strong all season long.

“My impression of CLL19 is positive,” says Tanner. “We planted a 45 pounds per acre of seeding rate and had very good emergence and good early season vigor. We didn’t have any issues with sheath blight and saw zero blast in CLL19. It is a shorter variety, which we like, and it was easy to harvest.”

Initial reports showed CLL19 yielding 212 bushels per acre on the farm, compared to 224 bushels per acre with CLL18.

PVL04 contains the Pi-ks and Pi-ta blast resistance genes that helps farmers minimize the threat of disease impact and earned a reputation in testing for its very good straw strength. It typically matures about two days later than PVL03.

CLL18

Farmers will also have more access to CLL18 this season, which sold out in a limited launch in 2023 and continues to impress as it out-yielded other varieties in multi-state tests in recent years. It is a conventional statured rice with excellent straw strength and good tolerance to sheath blight. It is moderately susceptible to rice blast.

“CLL18 has the potential to yield with the most popular hybrids at a much lower price point for seed,” says Dr. Walker. “We are hearing from a lot of farmers who want to plant it in 2024 and see the impact on their bottom line.”

Tanner said that in 2022 he used a “very low seeding rate” for CLL18 and still made a very good yield of 192 dry bushels per acre. Using a normal seeding rate this year, his CLL18 yields topped the 220 bushel per acre mark.

“Generally speaking, depending on the seeding rate, CLL18 seed cost would be approximately a third of what a hybrid would cost,” he says. “If we’re shooting for and achieving around 9,000 pounds or a 200-plus bushels per acre yield, that’s good economics, good value.”

Dr. Walker said CLL18 is a good fit in most areas of the southern rice production region, even in the Coastal Region if farmers want to make one very high-yielding crop per season rather than ratooning.

HorizonSeed.com Always read and follow label directions. Clearfield® and Provisia® are registered trademarks of BASF. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. ©2024 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

USA Rice

Update

USA Rice Turns the Page

A

By Michael Klein

USA Rice Vice President of Communications & Domestic Promotion

Peter Bachmann (left) has been named the successor of Betsy Ward (right) as president and CEO of USA Rice, effective Nov. 15.

6 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

s you’ve likely already heard, after 16 years, USA Rice has a new president & CEO. Betsy Ward has retired, and Peter Bachmann was named her successor effective Nov. 15. This is obviously a major change—for almost two decades, Betsy has been a constant in the rice world and in agriculture in Washington, DC. Her figure looms large over so many aspects of the industry.

You can read elsewhere in this issue about some of the major accomplishments Betsy led the rice industry through, but as you can imagine, there is more work to do. Just like in farming, in advocacy, there’s always more.

So Peter, who bookended a two-year stint as Senior Advisor to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue with USA Rice, has a long list of projects he wants to tackle and successes he will build on.

As we write these words, there is no new Farm Bill, and a government shutdown looms. By the time you read this, the shutdown should be behind us, but the Farm Bill will certainly require more time. The single greatest legislative priority for the rice industry is an adjustment to the Price Loss Coverage program, specifically a realistic increase in the rice reference prices to ensure the farm safety net does what it is supposed to do.

As Betsy has said, “a safety net laying on the ground is no safety net at all.” The new Farm Bill coming to pass in Peter’s time will address this.

We head towards the new year with India, the top exporter of rice in the world and global bad actor, living up to their reputation. Capricious export ban policies, gross over-subsidization, and more bad faith behavior will lead to global price manipulation and worsening food security for millions of people.

USA Rice has long advocated for the U.S. government to take a trade case against India to the World Trade Organization. Betsy has made this her mission for years, and now, as Peter takes the reins, there is renewed interest from the Biden Administration and Congress to crack down on India.

We are also dedicated to driving consumption and use of U.S.-grown rice, both here and abroad. Before Betsy was CEO, she ran both the International and Domestic Promotion programs for USA Rice. She helped set the stage for the robust promotion programs Peter inherits.

Those programs will have their work cut out for them. As tariffs on rice disappear in many of our key export markets, we face renewed threats, exacerbated by the market manipulations mentioned above. Here at home, we see a growing consumer and professional interest in new high-value rice varieties—the challenge will be guiding them away from imports and towards our domestic supply.

Peter will also preside over great changes in technology as artificial intelligence and machine learning make their way to our farms and into our mills. Exciting agronomic advances are also on the horizon.

The bottom line is, Betsy Ward has shepherded our organization and industry to great heights, and we are known in Washington, DC for “fighting above our weight class.”

Now Peter Bachmann will pick up the fight and take us higher.

We thank you for your support, and we’ll use this column in the coming year to update you on what we’re doing. Keep reading, keep farming, and have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year.

RICEFARMING.COM

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RICE PROTECTION

Specialists

Speaking

The Right Mix DR. JARROD T. HARDKE ARKANSAS Professor/Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture jhardke@uada.edu The 2023 season turned out to be a moderate one in all the right ways. Planting progress was one of the earliest in recent years, particularly allowing much of the Northeast to get the crop in very early. The large early planting run helped spur the state to over 1.4 million acres of rice planted, which was the highest since 2020.

Based on yield reports, early plantings in late March and early April were very good, with lower yields reported in mid-April, and improved yields in May that rivaled early plantings. MidApril is typically a great time to plant rice, but several environmental factors worked to give those fields a tougher time in 2023.

A cool, wet period immediately following planting combined with a cool, cloudy, and wet period during the onset of reproductive growth were notable factors.

A persistent North wind created issues throughout May and into early June making herbicide applications difficult and, at times, less effective. While early on it looked like a recipe for major weed issues, things ultimately came together to bring better-than-expected weed control to most fields. However, drift and injury complaints from routine herbicide applications were high-

8 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

er than in recent years.

While conditions were better than the drought experienced in 2022, there was concern early on that we may have once again received the majority of our rainfall before the season even started.

Luckily, this wasn’t the case and rains showed up throughout the season with a particularly notable rainy period in July.

Those rains weren’t entirely favorable as they coincided with the ideal timing to make sheath blight run rampant. While the 2022 droughty season had little sheath blight activity, the 2023 season sought to make up for it. Fungicide applications seemed largely effective at keeping things under control, but they weren’t effective as long as usual under the high disease pressure conditions. In contrast, rice stink bug pressure was lighter than normal leading to fewer sprays and little complaint about damage.

Damaged grain may not have been an issue, but overall, milling yields left something to be desired. A combination of extended periods of high nighttime temperatures during grain fill, followed by a shift to dry conditions and over drying of grain in the field, seemed to lead to lower milling yields. State average yields are projected around 168 bushels per acre, which reflects a very good year but slightly lower than the 2021 record of 170 bushels per acre.

While early favorable planting windows and medium-grain acreage opportunities helped propel acres above early expectations in 2023, it seems now that acres will settle back somewhat for 2024. However, a potential reduction in corn acres in the state may help keep rice acres at a more consistent level, and 1.2 million or more acres may remain on the table as opposed to more recent low-acreage years of 1.1 million acres.

RICEFARMING.COM

Specialists

2023 Ends Well for Most DR. JUSTIN CHLAPECKA MISSOURI Assistant Research Professor/ Rice Extension Specialist University of Missouri jchlapecka@missouri.edu Once again, it’s great to be back writing for Rice Farming magazine and entering my third year in the Missouri rice world. After producing a state record rice yield of near 179 bushels per acre in 2021, we followed that up with 176 bushels per acre, although that was averaged over less than 150,000 acres last year. The Sept. 1 USDA-NASS estimate has Missouri’s 2023 crop pegged at 178 bushels per acre. If that holds true, and reports on the ground sound like it could, this would be Missouri’s second-highest average rice yield. A yield somewhere between 2021 and 2022 is not a bad place to land.

One thing that adds to the Missouri rice crop for 2023 is that approximately 203,000 acres were harvested, representing a 36% increase from last year. Historically (well, the past 12 years at least), we have had higher acreage in even-numbered years, but I would not expect that next year as we’ve likely reversed the trend.

The springtime was opposite of 2022 for most Missouri rice growers, with the vast majority of seed planted in April, especially early- to mid-April. On the flip side of this is that most other crops were planted in the same narrow time due to great planting conditions. We’ll talk about that later. Most did receive several rains

Speaking

to activate pre-emerge applications early on, but the rain shut off again in late May and every crop needed attention.

With rice layby and fertilizer applications all needing to go out at the same time as nitrogen on corn, some problems arose including access to urea and access to a timely herbicide application.

Due to these issues, we did see some grassy areas after likely waiting too long before a flood was established.

Missouri saw great harvest conditions, with harvest beginning the last week of August and getting into full swing after Labor Day. Similar to last year, some farms left little to no ruts through both rice and soybean harvest, which bodes well for next year’s crop progress. The only real negative in terms of harvest weather were the Labor Day storms, which brought rice down in a wide swath mainly south of U.S. Hwy 412, although others dealt with patchy downed rice and even a little hail damage from the same system.

Overall, good growing conditions were able to maintain yield potential, but the milling yields for delivered rice reported so far have been subpar. We can always be hopeful that rice coming out of bins over the next few months will have better milling, as is definitely possible.

I’ve said it before, but this deserves repeating, I’m beyond blessed to be serving the rice industry in the Mid-South. Please reach out to me anytime with comments or questions. As always, eat MO rice!

2023 Wrap Up DR. HUNTER BOWMAN MISSISSIPPI Assistant Research Professor/ Extension Rice Agronomist Mississippi State University hdb207@msstate.edu In Mississippi, I would say 2023 was a successful year for the rice crop. With the dry spring weather, we were able to get the crop in early and then also had a dry fall, allowing for a timely harvest. While neighboring states seemed to have issues with milling quality, we were lucky in Mississippi that poor milling reports were very low. Another positive toward the end of the year was many growers began needing more storage than originally planned for the rice crop.

The year began with excitement due to good planting conditions and plans for a large increase in rice acres across the state.

In 2022, Mississippi only planted 84,500 acres; however, in 2023 we estimate that we had approximately 120,000 acres of rice in the state, with Bolivar County being our largest producer and Tunica County being the second largest.

Going into the cropping year, we had large concerns around pest management. The lack of rain in the spring could have resulted in herbicides not being activated to control problematic weeds.

Also, pyrethroid-resistant rice stinkbug continues to be a major concern. Finally, with the extreme heat and high humidity, diseases were also a worry.

Luckily, it seemed that we were continuously blessed with the rice crop throughout the past year. While rice stinkbug was still

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DECEMBER 2023 | RICE FARMING

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Specialists

Speaking

an issue, we received a Section 18 emergency use label for Endigo ZCX (which does provide control of the pest) just at the time we needed it this year. Most growers with fields needing to be sprayed before receiving this label were able to purchase Tenchu, which is also still effective. Most disease that was seen in the crop this year did not manifest until late in the season and was low enough in the canopy not to be problematic.

In short, Mississippi was blessed with the rice crop in 2023 and hopefully will be again in 2024.

Bacterial Panicle Blight DR. RONNIE LEVY

Extreme hot temperatures in later-planted rice resulted in many fields in South Louisiana having poor yields. Bacterial panicle blight (BPB): Bacterial panicle blight, caused by the bacterias Burkholderia glumae and B. gladioli, is one of the most important rice diseases in the South. The disease is associated with warm temperatures (day and night) and moisture. Losses include reduced yields and poor milling. The bacteria are seed-borne, survive in the soil, and live on the surface of the leaves and leaf sheaths following the canopy up.

The bacteria infect the grain at flowering and cause grain abortion and rotting during grain filling. The disease is first detected as a light- to medium-brown discoloration of the hulls’ lower third to half shortly after emergence. The stem below the infected grain

2023 Year in Review DR. BRUCE LINQUIST CALIFORNIA UCCE Rice Specialist balinquist@ucdavis.edu 2023 was a good year in terms of acreage with California having more than 500,000 acres of planted rice. This is double what we saw last year and is due to very good winter rainfall and snowpack. Rains in early May delayed planting and 50% of the crop had been planted by May 18 (average is May 12).

The harvest has been drawn out and slow. Late planting, cool fall, intermittent rains, lodged rice, and little North wind have delayed harvest. About 50% of the crop was harvested by Oct. 17 (average is Oct. 8). As of writing this article (Oct. 31), there is still about 20% yet to harvest and rain in the forecast.

While it is still too early to project what yields are going to be, most areas are reporting that yields are lower than expected. This is based on discussions with growers, driers, and what

10 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

RONNIE LEVY

LOUISIANA Extension Rice Specialist Louisiana State University RLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu

remains green. Pollination occurs, but the grain aborts sometime after grain filling begins. Rain splash can disperse the bacteria on the plant surface to other plants, developing a circular pattern in the field with the most severely affected panicles in the center remaining upright because of grains not filling.

No chemical control measures are recommended. Fungicide application will not control or prevent BPB. Some varieties have more resistance than others. Rice planted later in the season and fertilized with high nitrogen rates tends to have more disease.

Avoiding excessive N rates and early planting can reduce disease. we have seen in our Yield Contest. Certainly, with all of the fallowed acreage being planted this year, many growers were expecting higher yields. Yields in fields that have been fallowed are typically higher. However, years with late planting dates do not tend to yield as well. On rice harvested by mid-October, reports from one facility were that the quality was excellent (USDA No. 1; high milling and low chalk). This is a stark difference from 2022 where environmental conditions caused high chalk and lower-than-average milling.

In terms of pests and diseases, we did see a lot more blast this year — especially panicle blast. While it was most prevalent in the Northwestern portion of the valley where it is most often seen, it was noted in other regions as well. Based on limited observations, it was more prevalent on dry-seeded rice. In some cases we observed, yields will be impacted by blast. Bakanae and kernel smut were also seen at levels above normal. Seed midge was seen at higher levels in late-planted fields. Armyworms caused little damage, despite high moth counts in our monitoring traps. From a weed standpoint, watergrass continued to be a problem and was problematic in a lot of rice fields.

On a positive note, we saw less weedy rice this year. This may be due to a lot of acreage being fallowed last year.

RICEFARMING.COM

2023

RICEAWARDS Horizon Ag, Rice Farming and USA Rice are proud to bring you the recipients of the 2023 Rice Awards. The program highlights three honorees for their contributions to the success of the U.S. rice industry through the Rice Farmer of the Year, the Rice Industry Award and the Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.

RICE FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Jeremy Jones

J

PHOTOS BY CASSIDY NEMEC

eremy Jones grew up in the heart of rice country near Stuttgart, Arkansas. From a young age, he went to the fields with his dad, who worked for a rice farmer in the area. He rode tractors, combines, trailer trucks and loved being outside. Jeremy fell in love with the farming lifestyle and everything that goes with it.

As a teenager, he met his future wife, Whitney, at church, went to work for Isbell Farms — her family’s 3,500-acre rice operation in Lonoke County — in 1995, and they married in 1996. Perhaps his father-in-law, Chris Isbell, describes Jeremy best: “He has love in his heart for our daughter, Whitney, and dirt in his veins. I believe he was born to be a farmer.”

Whitney, Jeremy’s wife of 27 years, also weighs in on her husband’s unwavering commitment to the rice crop.

Arkansas rice producer Jeremy Jones is pictured with his daughter Alayna, wife Whitney and son Harrison.

“Jeremy can’t stand to leave his rice,” she said. “He wants to know the water levels on each and every field during the summer. He wants to know which one needs fertilizer and which one has a patch of grass that needs spraying. Jeremy spends countless hours on his spray rig or the MudMaster spraying weeds and grass. He can identify so many species of weeds it makes my head spin. I joke that he single-handedly discovered smallflower umbrella sedge.”

The Arkansas farmer’s “boots on the ground” approach to rice farming means he is out in the field every day managing the irrigation water, scouting, conferring with others on the farm and making decisions much like an in-house agronomist. He also takes care of almost all the electrical work that needs to be done.

“My passion is the production side of rice farming,” Jeremy said. “I budget every year for inputs such as herbicides

and fertilizer although I have to be flexible when prices go up. I like to see how efficiently I can grow a crop with maximum yield and quality, so I challenge myself with that every year. Our farm has been precision leveled and is all zero grade. We grow 100% rice because our land is not suited for other crops.”

In addition to successfully growing commercial rice, Isbell Farms also grows three specialty varieties used to make Japanese sake. The No. 1 rice they grow for high-quality sake is Yamada Nishiki — an old heirloom variety.

“These varieties make up less than 10% of our acres because they are hard to grow and hard to harvest,” Jeremy said. “The sake business has been around for us since the mid ‘90s on a small scale but has ramped up in the past four to five years. Whitney has taken the lead on this.”

Jeremy said they consider themselves a research farm and work closely with both University of Arkansas Extension as well as industry partners.

“We are always participating in some kind of experiment,” he said. “We rarely say no when asked to work with researchers. For example, we are in year two of a three-year pilot program that involves introducing Golden Shiner fish into one of our fields. We will study the data to see if there is an environmental benefit to raising the fish and hope to market them later if we have that opportunity.”

University of Arkansas associate professor Benjamin R.K. Runkle said, “When I think of the ‘mentor farmer’ ideal, I think of Jeremy,” he said. “He is patient with our academic questions and our need for carefully documented farm records, caring in his interactions with my diverse group members and always eager to do things better.”

Emily Woodall, manager, USA Rice Conservation Services, said, “Jeremy and his family bring sustainability and communication together like no other. They educate not only other farmers but also those with no agricultural knowledge by welcoming visitors to the farm and posting on social media. He and his son can often be found on the farm’s social media platforms talking about the day’s projects and any challenges they may have encountered.”

After publishing educational videos about rice on YouTube, Isbell Farms has expanded its social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. “We like to educate people about where and how their food is grown,” Jeremy said. “We want to tell the real story of rice farming. This is what we did today, and this is why we are doing it.”

In recognition of his determination, innovation and leadership in the U.S. rice industry, we proudly congratulate Jeremy Jones as the 2023 Rice Farmer of the Year.

Jeremy Jones England, Arkansas

• Member, USA Rice and the Arkansas Rice Federation.

• USA Rice Sustainability Committee, Communications Committee and an alternate on the Regulatory Affairs and Food Safety Committee.

• USA Rice Asia Trade Policy Subcommittee.

• Member, Arkansas Farm Bureau and Farm Credit of Arkansas.

• 2014-16 Rice Leadership Development Program graduate.

• Active member of Stuttgart Harvest Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas.

• Married to Whitney Isbell Jones for 27 years. They have a son, Harrison, 22, and a daughter, Alayna, 19.

RICE INDUSTRY AWARD

Dr. Ronnie Levy

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COURTESY OF RONNIE LEVY

ouisiana rice specialist Dr. Ronnie Levy brings the whole package to the table. He is knowledgeable, personable and deeply committed to the U.S. rice industry. He has helped translate the vital research conducted at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station into valuable knowledge for rice producers across the state.

Through LSU AgCenter’s Rice Verification Program, Levy travels the state assisting rice farmers, rice consultants and Extension agents on the best management practices that are vital to producing viable, profitable and sustainable rice crops year after year.

Dr. Ronnie Levy is joined by his grandchildren — Gabriella, Avery and Braxton — in the 2022 International Rice Festival parade.

“The goal of this program is to take research being conducted on the station and put it into producers’ fields to verify that the research and technology that’s being developed is applicable on the farm,” Levy said. “One of the most rewarding parts of the program is working with newer producers who aren’t as familiar with rice production or haven’t seen as much as some of the more seasoned farmers have. They haven’t ‘rode all the way around the field yet.’

For example, we witnessed the introduction of the Clearfield technology, which was a game changer. We went from about 80+% water-seeded rice to 80+% drill-seeded. And as we moved into laser leveling, more fields had fewer issues with holding water uniformly. The Rice Verification Program is a good learning experience about everything from soil fertility to insects, diseases, weeds and when to drain the field. We try to incorporate all the recommended management techniques into their production practices.”

Levy said they typically work with a small field — 20 to 40 acres — so they can do a good job of managing it.

The fields are spread out through the different parishes, and each producer is in the program for two years. At the end of the season, an economist sits down with the producers, goes over all the cultural practices and everything that was applied on their fields, and then comes up with economic returns to the producers. Later, the information is published so other farmers can see what happened in the fields during the season.

“We spend two days a week going to these fields from before planting through harvest,” Levy said. “We take milling samples and record yields. It’s a complete program that looks at rice production from beginning to end.”

Kurt Guidry, resident coordinator, H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, and assistant director, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, LSU AgCenter, said, “My view of Dr. Levy and his worthiness of this award is that I view him as the ultimate professional. His broad range of knowledge along with his lifetime of experience with the rice industry allows him to answer questions and address issues on a wide variety of topics. His ultimate team player approach and genuine passion for the industry, makes him an invaluable asset to not only the rice station but to the rice industry in general.”

Louisiana rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher said he met Ron Levy for the first time in 1986 when Levy accepted a position as Acadia Parish county agent.

“I had only been farming for four years and was in the infancy of my 41-year farming career,” Zaunbrecher said.

“Farming with my father and one brother, at the time, Ron was our go-to guy for any issues we had in our rice and soybean operation. He was always a phone call away when we had a problem. Many times, a visit to his office found him ready to lend a helping hand, whether it was identifying a pest, making a fertilizer recommendation or aiding in a management decision. He was always ready to serve.”

When looking back on his career, Levy has a lot of “rice” memories of his own. He married a girl whose father was a rice farmer, taught rice production and other agricultural classes at McNeese State University, been inspired by intelligent people who have a good grasp of the big picture for rice and enjoyed all the time he has spent out in the fields helping rice producers achieve their goals.

“To me, rice and all the people who work with it are special,” Levy said. “It’s a great industry with which to be associated.”

In recognition of his dedication to rice production and vision of a bright future for the crop loved by so many, we are proud to name Dr. Ronnie Levy as the recipient of the 2023 Rice Industry Award.

Dr. Ronnie Levy Rayne, Louisiana

BRUCE SCHULTZ

•Bachelor’s degree in animal science, Southeastern State University. Master’s degree and Ph.D. in agronomy with an emphasis on weed science, Louisiana State University.

•Currently serves as Louisiana rice specialist.

Served as Louisiana soybean, corn and grain sorghum specialist for nine years.

•Past county agent for Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis and Acadia parishes.

•Tri-State Soybean Board Distinguished Service Award, 2018. National County Agent Association Distinguished Service Award, 2015. Tipton Team Award, 2014.

National Conservation Tillage Cotton and Rice Conference 15-Year and 20-Year Service Award, 2012 and 2007. LSU AgCenter Floyd S. Edmiston Award, 2005. Louisiana County Agricultural Agents Association Southwest Achievement Award, 1988.

•USA Rice technical advisor: Sustainability Committee; USA Rice Marketability and Competitiveness Committee; and Regulatory Affairs and Food Safety Committee.

• 2022 International Rice Festival honoree.

• Member, St. Joseph Catholic Church.

• Married to Donna Richard Levy for 42 years. Two sons: the late Ronald J. Levy III and Rick Levy (Emily LeBlanc Levy). Three grandchildren: Gabriella, Braxton and Avery Levy.

RICE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Ward

B

COURTESY OF BETSY WARD

etsy Ward, president and CEO of USA Rice, is a passionate and effective advocate. Before assuming the leadership role in 2007, Ward was with the American Forest and Paper Association. She worked with many family-owned sawmills throughout the country and saw their daily challenges. Ward witnessed how factors beyond their control could impact the bottom line. These issues included trade barriers, regulations, government policies, environmental activists and the need to promote greater use of wood products.

“Rice was new to me as a commodity when I joined USA Rice, but thanks to the membership I have learned so much and seen the similarities between different industries,” Ward said. “I am grateful to have been supported and embraced by the rice industry.”

During her time as CEO of USA Rice, Ward has witnessed many milestones, including the ones listed below:

Betsy Ward and her husband, Gary, reside in Cheverly, Maryland.

• Establishing the industry as the gold standard on sustainability. “An industry-led task force was formed early in my tenure that helped guide our goals and objectives and put rice on the map as a leader in this space. The partnership with Ducks Unlimited formed a decade ago has been central to our success in getting more conservation dollars in the hands of rice farmers — almost $200 million to date — and to telling our story.”

• Growing the USA Rice Political Action Committee and expanding participation in the PAC across the industry. “It was a $70,000 PAC when I started and has grown to more than $400,000 today. This really makes a difference in our ability to support rice allies and expand our influence with the folks who will protect our industry and help us navigate tricky political and regulatory waters.”

• Promoting food safety and maintaining the credibility of rice as a healthy and safe food has been and will continue to be a major challenge. “We successfully navigated the ‘arsenic in rice’ issue to contain and minimize industry-wide damage, but these issues will continue to potentially hurt our industry. We need to keep leaning into it with research and the positive relationship and credibility we have established with the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and members of Congress.”

In observing Ward’s efforts over the years, the USA Rice membership has taken note.

Kirk Satterfield, chairman of USA Rice and a Mississippi rice farmer, said, “Betsy’s ability to show her concerns on Capitol Hill and then be able to talk to the farmers in the field has benefited our industry greatly. She has always been approachable, willing to answer questions and get things done.”

Bobby Hanks, CEO of Supreme Rice Mill, said, “Betsy’s leadership as CEO of USA Rice guided our industry through some tumultuous times. It is not an easy task to balance the interest of so many members of this diverse organization, and she did so with patience, understanding and class.”

In Texas, former chair of the USA Rice Farmers board, Linda Raun, echoed their sentiments. “Among Betsy’s accomplishments is negotiating the Colombia Trade Agreement. This was an extremely challenging process. The results have brought $90 million to U.S. rice research. Last election cycle, the USA Rice PAC raised a record-breaking $403,000. This has led to successful Farm Bill efforts and continued education of our elected officials about the uniqueness, struggles and challenges of our industry.”

Through all Betsy’s successes, “she never shines a light on her leadership, but always gives credit to others,” Raun said.

California rice farmer Charley Mathews Jr. has worked with Ward in many capacities over the years. “I immediately witnessed the impact in much improved Farm Bills, better trade access to foreign countries, a very high profile in Washington and much improved state relations. It takes leadership and goal-minded fortitude to set direction for USA Rice and stay on that path.”

Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager, said, “Certainly, Betsy’s record speaks for itself, but she has also been a friend to the industry and involved out in ‘rice country.’ She cares about the people and challenges they face outside of D.C.” In recognition of her service to the U.S. rice industry, we are honored to name Betsy Ward the recipient of the 2023 Rice Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Ward Arlington, Virginia

• Bachelor’s degree in history and political science, University of New Hampshire.

Master’s degree in international security affairs, School of International Affairs at Columbia University.

• President and CEO of USA Rice since 2007.

• 2005-2007: Chief executive for the Hardwood Federation.

• 2003-2005: Vice President of International and Domestic Promotion at USA Rice.

• 1995-2003: Wood Products International Group at the American Forest & Paper Association.

• Past chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council. Past vice chair of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

• Member of the Agriculture CEO Council.

• Married to Gary Ward for 40 years. Two sons: Sam Ward (35) and fiancé Jesse. Ben Ward (33) and wife Susannah.

Horizon Ag would like to recognize past Rice Awards recipients.

1992 Dennis Leonards 1993 Jacko Garrett Jr. 1994 Nolen Canon 1995 Duane Gaither 1996 Leroy & Chris Isbell 1997 Charles Berry, John Denison, Paul Haidusek, Errol Lounsberry, Charley Mathews Jr., Patrick Mullen, Fred Tanner 1998 Tommy Andrus, Don Bransford, Larry Devillier Jr., Dennis Robison, Gary Sebree, Linda Zaunbrecher 1999 Ken Collins, James “Jimmy” Hoppe, Charles Parker Johnson, Abbott Myers, Lowell George “L.G.” Raun Jr., Martin Walt Jr. 2000 John B. Alter, R. Ernest Girouard Jr., Bill Griffith, Ken Minton, Michael Rue, J.D. “Des” Woods 2001 Rice Farmer of the Year: Larry and Candice Davis Rice Industry Award: Jack William Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: David LaCour 2002 Rice Farmer of the Year: Tommy Ray Oliver Rice Industry Award: Howard Cormier Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Leland L. Carle 2003 Rice Farmer of the Year: David Monroe Smith Jr. Rice Industry Award: Dr. Johnny Saichuk Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Lundberg Brothers 2004 Rice Farmer of the Year: Dane Hebert Rice Industry Award: Dr. M.O. “Mo” Way Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Joseph Musick 2005 Rice Farmer of the Year: John Greer Rice Industry Award: Charles “Eddie” Eskew Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Donald Bransford 2006 Rice Farmer of the Year: Gibb Steele Rice Industry Award: Chuck Wilson Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: John Denison 2007 Rice Farmer of the Year: Clarence Berken Rice Industry Award: Dr. Joe Street Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe 2008 Rice Farmer of the Year: Milton LaMalfa

2023

RICEAWARDS

Rice Industry Award: John Cummings Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Ahrent 2009 Rice Farmer of the Year: Curtis Berry Rice Industry Award: John E. Broussard Jr. Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Carl Wayne Brothers 2010 Rice Farmer of the Year: Greg, C.J. and Jeff Durand Rice Industry Award: Dr. Richard J. Norman Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Elaine T. Champagne 2011 Rice Farmer of the Year: Mark Wimpy Rice Industry Award: Dr. Rick Cartwright Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jacko Garrett Jr. 2012 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jim Whitaker Rice Industry Award: Dr. Donald Groth Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Erdman 2013 Rice Farmer of the Year: Joe Aguzzi Rice Industry Award: Dr. Eric Webster Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Elton Kennedy 2014 Rice Farmer of the Year: Fred Zaunbrecher Rice Industry Award: Dr. Kent McKenzie Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Baden 2015 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jerry Hoskyn Rice Industry Award: Keith Fontenot Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Jimmy Hoppe 2016 Rice Farmer of the Year: Richard Fontenot Rice Industry Award: Dr. Steve Linscombe Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Sebree 2017 Rice Farmer of the Year: Christian Richard Rice Industry Award: Dr. Xueyan Sha Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Chuck Wilson 2018 Rice Farmer of the Year: Melvin “Skip” Hula Jr. Rice Industry Award: Earl J. Garber Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Hare Jr. 2019 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jennifer James Rice Industry Award: Jim F. Cook Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Ford Baldwin 2020 Rice Farmer of the Year: Gordon Wylie Rice Industry Award: Kyle McCann Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. M.O. “Mo” Way 2021 Rice Farmer of the Year: Nicole Montna Van Vleck Rice Industry Award: Dr. Qiming “Doc” Shao

I

never cease to be amazed at the community of those involved in the U.S. rice industry and the support we provide for each other.

From overcoming seasonal challenges, to ongoing efforts to elevate the standing of U.S. rice overseas, to helping feed the world, this vital industry stands united with our farmers, rice leaders and those providing the products and services the U.S. rice industry needs to be successful and prosperous.

That’s why the annual Rice Farming magazine Rice Awards are so important. They give us a chance to look into our industry’s community and recognize those individuals who, through their service, sacrifice and commitment, have helped lift and advance the interests of U.S. rice and rice farmers in this country and around the globe.

At this year’s Rice Outlook Conference in Indian Wells, California, the recipients recognized for their service will receive the following awards: • The Rice Farmer of the Year Award is given to a farmer who has shown determination, innovation or dedication to growing the crop.

• The Rice Industry Award honors the person who has proven to be innovative in his or her role in this industry.

• The Rice Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the person who has dedicated his or her life to the viability of the U.S. rice industry.

Horizon Ag is proud to again sponsor the Rice Farming magazine Rice Awards, and we sincerely congratulate each award winner. I have had the good fortune to spend most of my career engaged in supporting U.S. rice farmers and have enjoyed the opportunity to work with those who, like this year’s award winners, are truly champions of our industry.

And, speaking of industry champions, I want to take this opportunity to thank Betsy Ward, who is retiring as CEO of USA Rice, for her years of outstanding service and contributions.

Horizon Ag shares that dedication and remains committed to providing the seed and technology U.S. rice farmers need to be more productive and profitable. We campaign for better quality rice because we know it’s right for our farmers and the industry, that better quality rice can bring superior value versus focusing on yields alone. We work closely with university and industry partners to manage important technology like the Provisia Rice System, so the value the technology brings is stewarded and protected. Because it’s about more than selling high-yielding seeds. It’s about doing what’s right and putting farmers first as a proud member of the U.S. rice industry community.

Sincerely, Dr. Tim Walker Horizon Ag General Manager Clearfield and Provisia are registered trademarks of BASF. © 2023 Horizon Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Kent McKenzie 2022 Rice Farmer of the Year: Paul O. Johnson Rice Industry Award: Dr. Yeshi Wamishe Rice Lifetime Achievement Award:

Dr. Karen Moldenhauer 2023 Rice Farmer of the Year: Jeremy Jones Rice Industry Award: Dr. Ronnie Levy Rice Lifetime Achievement Award: Betsy Ward

Industry USDA to Provide More Than $3 Billion to Commodity, Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2022. Eligible impacted producers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022. The program will help offset the financial impacts of crop yield and value losses from qualifying disasters occurring in 2022.

“In our continued commitment to improving our delivery of emergency relief assistance, we have further refined our Emergency Relief Program 2022 delivery process. Instead of two separate program phases, we will now run two tracks concurrently, increasing our efficiencies in application and payment processing while ensuring equitable program delivery. We also listened to important input from producers and stakeholders and have enhanced ERP 2022 provisions to ensure shallow loss impacts on revenue are considered.”

Background On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117328) that provides about $3.7 billion in financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by eligible natural disasters that occurred in calendar year 2022.

ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines due to qualifying, calendar year 2022 natural disaster events including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.

ERP 2022 program benefits will be delivered to eligible producers through a two-track process.

It’s important to note that disaster-impacted producers may be eligible for ERP 2022 assistance under one or both tracks. To avoid duplicative benefits, if a producer applies for both tracks, the Track 2 payment calculation will take into account any payments received through Track 1.

ERP 2022 Application Process – Track 1 ERP 2022 Track 1 leverages existing federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for calculating payments for eligible crop producers who received indemnities through these risk management programs.

Although FSA is sending pre-filled ERP 2022 Track 1 application forms to producers who have crop insurance and NAP data already on file with USDA, producers indemnified for losses resulting from 2022 natural disasters do not have to wait to receive the application before requesting ERP 2022 assistance.

Effective Oct. 31, 2023, producers can apply for ERP 2022 benefits. Receipt of a pre-filled application is not confirmation that a producer is eligible to receive an ERP 2022 Track 1 payment.

USDA estimates that ERP Track 1 benefits will reach more than 206,000 producers who received indemnities for losses covered by federal crop insurance.

INSTAGRAM: @RICEFARMING

News ERP 2022 Application Process – Track 2 Track 2 is a revenue-based certification program designed to assist producers who suffered an eligible decrease in revenue resulting from 2022 calendar year disaster events when compared with revenue in a benchmark year using revenue information that is readily available from most tax records. In cases where revenue does not reasonably reflect a normal year’s revenue, Track 2 provides an alternative method for establishing revenue. Likewise, Track 2 affords producers of crops that are used within an operation and do not generate revenue from the sale of the crop a method for establishing revenue for the purpose of applying for ERP 2022 benefits. Producers are not required to submit tax records to FSA unless requested by the County Committee if required for an FSA compliance spot check.

Track 2 targets gaps in emergency relief assistance for eligible producers whose eligible losses were not covered by crop insurance or NAP including revenue losses too small (shallow loss) to be covered by crop insurance.

Producers interested in applying for ERP 2022 Track 2, should contact their local FSA county office. Additional reference resources can be found on FSA’s emergency relief website.

Additional Required Forms For both tracks, all producers need certain required forms on file with FSA within 60 days of the ERP 2022 deadline. Producers can apply starting Oct. 31, 2023. The application deadline has not yet been determined and will be announced at a later date. If not already on file, producers can update, complete, and submit required forms to FSA at any time.

Required forms: • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.

• Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.

• Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).

• Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).

• Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, if applicable, for the 2022 program year.

• A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.

Those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms can contact their local FSA county office.

Future Insurance Coverage Requirements All producers who receive ERP 2022 payments must purchase crop insurance, or NAP coverage where crop insurance is not available, in the next two available crop years as determined by the Secretary. Purchased coverage must be at the 60/100 coverage level or higher for insured crops or at the catastrophic coverage level or higher for NAP crops.

DECEMBER 2023 | RICE FARMING

19

Industry

News

RiceTec Unveils SQUAD® Seed Treatment Line for 2024 Rice RiceTec is excited to announce its new SQUAD® seed treatment line with its 2024 rice seed offerings. With SQUAD, growers will have multiple seed treatment options for a customized fit within their production systems.

For 2024, the SQUAD product line will have three seed treatment options: SQUAD Pro, SQUAD Gulf, and SQUAD Delta. All three SQUAD products will include a base package of gibberellic acid, zinc, and a combination of four fungicides.

For growers in the Midsouth looking for a premium seed treatment in the bag, RiceTec will have a limited supply of SQUAD Pro. The SQUAD Pro package offers broad-spectrum, early-season insect and disease protection combined with increased rice water weevil control and suppression of grape colaspis. While this product fits on all drill-seeded acres, it provides extra protection for pests associated with row rice.

For Gulf Coast rice farmers, SQUAD Gulf is customized for growers along the coast who deal primarily with rice water weevils and stem borers throughout the season. The SQUAD Gulf package has approval for use in both water-seeded and drill-seeded production systems.

Finally, SQUAD Delta will be the most widely available package that fits most Midsouth production systems. SQUAD Delta has been a reliable seed treatment package for several years throughout the southern rice belt and has provided consistent early-season insect and disease protection for most drill-seeded rice acres.

“We are excited about our 2024 SQUAD offerings and what we’re looking at for future products,” says Garrison Hardke, RiceTec marketing manager. “Under the SQUAD brand, we are evaluating several new products that will provide our customers with turnkey seed treatment solutions to address a number of issues, including pest control, stand establishment, and crop nutrition.”

Researchers Receive NSF Funding to Continue Building a Smarter Insect Trap University of Arkansas System researchers received funding from the National

20 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

Division of Agriculture professor of entomology Ashley Dowling, right, and Khoa Luu, assistant professor of computer science and computer engineering, test out the AI-powered smart insect trap.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS, FAYETTEVILLE

Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research program to continue developing a smart insect control system.

SolaRid AR, an Arkansas-based ag-tech company, is the primary recipient of the $981,168 grant, with roughly $340,000 of the award going to researchers who are incorporating a camera — powered by artificial intelligence — into SolaRid’s existing insect trap system to identify and count a range of insects.

Ashley Dowling, professor of entomology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, and Khoa Luu, assistant professor of computer science and computer engineering at the University of Arkansas, are leading the development.

The system is designed to simplify monitoring of plant growth stages and pest populations by processing the appropriate data in real time through a central dashboard that can be accessed with a mobile app. The goal of the project is for growers to be able to find out which pests, and in what concentrations, are in their fields during the different stages of plant growth through a season. This information would allow for early and accurate identification of pests, and for timely responses to reduce inputs and crop loss.

Ongoing work focuses on building the database of insects the system needs to recognize and improving the reliability of detection within a species. To assist with this, the team will work with the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health to add EDDMapS, the largest invasive species and pest database in North America. They will also integrate the center’s digital applications to

create a robust framework for disseminating information to site managers, municipalities, organizations, and the public.

The goal is to miniaturize and weatherize the system so that it can be easily deployed to run off the solar cells that currently power SolaRid’s insect traps.

This next phase of the work will shift to California crops, where the team will partner with industry experts at the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.

The team will train AI algorithms to identify fall armyworms, which eat rice, and navel orangeworms.

Randy J. Sasaki, managing partner of SolaRid AR, noted that both the company and the scientists were extremely proud of the work that led to the latest round of NSF funding. “It is a significant milestone after five years of development,” he said.

“It is also an endorsement by authorities that the AI technology has been developed and of the importance of commercializing the technology that is intended to make America more competitive.”

Dowling said, “It’s exciting to know we have the funding to take the next step toward producing a marketable, field-ready unit and that a few years from now our invention could be in fields across the U.S. helping farmers monitor and protect their crops.”

Producing a compact, weather secure and affordable smart trap for use across a range of cropping systems anywhere in the world is the final goal of this project.

— Hardin Young, Assistant Director of Research Communications, University Relations, University of Arkansas RICEFARMING.COM

From None to One to Three Dyna-Gro® Seed’s Rice Breeding Program Continues to Grow DynaGroSeed.com

Planting the Seeds of Success

SEEDS OF INNOVATION

Dyna-Gro® Seed’s rice breeding program began with a commitment to excellence and a vision for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in rice farming. Fueled by a team of passionate breeders and agronomists, the goal is to create superior rice varieties and hybrids that bring improvements of yield, disease resistance, and grain quality when compared to current seed choices.

“Our program is a welcome addition to the US rice industry and has emerged as quite a competitor in the marketplace. The industry is very supportive of our efforts and especially appreciative of our commitment to quality for US rice,” says Randy Ouzts, Dyna-Gro Seed’s Rice Product Manager for North America. “The release of our patented variety DG263L has been a great confirmation of this as it’s shown to be an outstanding performer for the last three years. Growers have planted over 500,000 acres of DG263L since the launch in 2020 and it’s very popular.”

IN-HOUSE ADVANTAGES

The program prides itself on consistently producing rice varieties that exhibit adaptability to various climates and growing conditions. This adaptability has given farmers across the rice-growing areas of the USA the confidence to cultivate rice in diverse geographical locations.

Dr. Qiming Shao, Breeder for Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice program states, “We have a very dedicated team of breeders and support staff in our program. Coupled with a very diverse germplasm base, we continue utilizing tools that allow us to bring products that fit growers‘ needs.

Through our retail organization, we get constant feedback from agronomists and grower customers about what they’d like to see in varieties and hybrids. We’re on a very solid path to bring many new products in the years to come.”

Quality and Market Demand: Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice varieties surpass market expectations with their superior grain and milling quality, leading to increased demand from processors and creating good market opportunities for farmers.

Disease Resistance: Through rigorous testing and selection processes, Dyna-Gro Seed has created rice varieties that are extensively screened against harmful pathogens. Through genomic analysis, new resistance mechanisms continue to be identified and incorporated where possible in commercial products.

Adaptability: Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice varieties exhibit outstanding adaptability, bringing yield opportunities and product placement knowledge that growers can depend on.

“It has been impressive to see the success of our varieties across such a broad geographical area”, commented Scott Greenwalt, Rice Sales Agronomy Manager for Dyna-Gro Seed. “The future of Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice program is exciting as many more will follow in their footsteps.”

To accomplish this ambitious goal, Dyna-Gro Seed invested in cutting-edge technology, research, and development. Their state-of-theart facilities have become a breeding ground for innovation, allowing for the combination of traditional breeding, enhanced genetic selection, and exhaustive testing. University partnerships are another critical part of the Dyna-Gro Seed program, and the company is very supportive of these in product development.

From One to Three and Growing: The Growth of the Program Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice breeding program has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception.

Stellar Yield Potential: Dyna-Gro Seed’s rice varieties consistently deliver impressive yields, ensuring higher profitability, and maximizing farmers’ returns on investment.

Visit Dyna-Gro Seed’s website today to learn more about their exceptional rice varieties that are at home on any acre.

Dr. Qiming Shao assessing rice varieties at Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Puerto Rico research plots.

2024 Rice Seed Guide

I

t goes without saying that seed selection is one of the most important decisions a rice farmer has to make during the winter planning time.

These easy-to-use charts, which highlight proprietary variety and hybrid traits for the Mid-South, Texas and the South, are designed to help with your planting decisions. Consider each field individually along with your goals and preferred production system when making selections for 2024.

Provisia Rice System

• Matures 5 days earlier than CLL16 • Excellent milling with low chalk • High field tolerance to sheath blight

PVL03 • Yield potential comparable to the most popular conventional and Clearfield varieties • Excellent stalk strength • Blast resistance with Pi-ks and Pi-ta genes • Superior package-quality milled rice

CLL19 — NEW • Very stable • Early maturing with solid ratoon potential • Produces excellent milling yields • Excellent standability and blast resistance • Top-yielding semi-dwarf variety in multi-location testing

PVL04 — NEW • First Provisia Rice System variety developed by the University of Arkansas • Improved yield over PVL03 in Upper Delta • Excellent package quality • Pi-ks and Pi-ta blast resistance genes • Very good straw strength • Two days later maturity compared to PVL03

CL111 • Excellent vigor with high yield potential • Outstanding grain quality and milling • Exceptional ratoon crop performance Kellogg’s preferred long grain

Horizon Ag Varieties

Clearfield Production System for Rice CLL16 • Exceptional, consistent yield performance • Broadly adapted for the Delta region • Excellent milling characteristics • Industry-leading blast resistance • Excellent standability • A leading performer in both flooded and row rice systems CLL18 • Arkansas-bred variety known for outstanding yield potential • Excellent stralk strength

22 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

CL153 • Exceptional yield potential • Broad spectrum blast resistance • Moderately resistant to lodging • Excellent milling quality • Often earns a substantial premium for export markets • Available in Texas only CLM04 • Yield potential similar to Jupiter • Excellent grain quality • Improved blast resistance compared to Jupiter CLJ01 • Clearfield Jasmine-type variety • Very good aroma • Premium grain appearance and milling • Excellent yield potential

Web Resources For more about Clearfield and Provisia varieties, visit https:// www.horizonseed.com For more about conventional hybrids, FullPage hybrids, and Max-Ace varieties and hybrids, visit https://www.ricetec.com/ For more about Dyna-Gro rice, visit https://dynagroseed.com/ seed-finder/rice CLHA02 • Second high-amylose Clearfield release • Cheniere (L202) cook type • Moderately resistant to lodging • Excellent yields and milling

Dyna-Gro Varieties DG263L • High yielding inbred variety • Excellent milling yields • Reduced seeding rates • Proven performance • Uniform grain size DG245L • Strong yielding inbred variety • Semi-dwarf, early maturing • Exceptional milling yields • Excellent grain quality • Excellent ratoon crop potential DG353M • High yielding inbred variety • Uniform grain size • Excellent milling yields • Reduced seeding rates • Very stable yields

RICEFARMING.COM

2024 Horizon Ag Varieties Disease Ratings PVL041

PVL031

CLL191 (NEW)

CLL18

CLL161

CL1111

CL1531

CLHA02

CLM04

CLJ01

Sheath Blight

S

MS

S

MS

S

VS

S

S

MS

MS

Blast

Variety

MR

MR

MR

MS

MR

MR

MR

S

MS

MS

Straight Head

–

MR

S

MR

MR

MS

MS

S

S

MS

Bacterial Panicle Blight2

S

MR

S

MS

MS

VS

MS

MS

S

S

Narrow Brown Leaf Spot2

MR

MR

MS

MS

MR

S

MS

S

MS

MS

Kernel Smut

MS

MS

MS

–

–

S

S

MS

–

–

False Smut

–

MS

MR

S

MS

S

S

S

S

MS

Lodging

MR

MR

MR

MS

MS

MS

MR

MR

S

MS

2

VS = Very Susceptible S = Susceptible MS = Moderately Susceptible MR = Moderately Resistant R = Resistant 1 This variety has genetic markers for Pita, which confers resistance to the following blast races: IA45, IB1, IB49, IB54, IB45, IH1, IC17, IE1.

2 Reactions may differ due to variability of strains among pathogens. Some varieties have resistance to NBLS on leaves, but not stems. Cercospora on stems can cause significant

yield loss. PVL03 and PVL04 should be treated with a triazole at 2” to 4” panicle formation for protection against cercospora on stems.

Variety Characteristics and Suggested Management Practices Height 1 (inches)

40

40

38

42

42

39

42

38

42

38

Maturity 2 (days to 50% heading)

84

81

78

85

88

77

81

83

86

85

Suggested Seeding Rate 3 (lb seed/A)

50-60

50-60

55-65

55-65

55-65

55-65

55-65

55-65

60-70

60-70

Suggested Nitrogen Rate 4 (lb N/A)

120-160

120-160

140-160

120-160

120-160

120-160

120-160

120-160

120-160

120-160

Height will vary with plant density and environmental conditions.

Maturity varies with geographical region and environmental conditions in a given year.

3 Optimal drill seeded planting rate is only for fungicide treated seed. If using non-treated seed, the seeding rate should be increased by a minimum of 10 lbs/A. 4 Optimal nitrogen rate varies from field to field. The high end should be reserved for heavy clay soils and fields where rice is followed by rice. Using the high end of the nitrogen and seeding rate recommendations may increase the incidence of disease. Please scout and treat the Clearfield® varieties accordingly.

The NSt*R program is recommended where applicable and has been shown to decrease incidences of disease and lodging. Please contact your local Cooperative Extension office for more information.

1

2

Dyna-Gro Varieties Variety Characteristics and Suggested Management Practices Variety

Grain Type

Avg. Milling Yield

Amylose

Chalkiness

Grain Size (Milled)

Maturity (days to 50% heading)

Suggested Seeding Rate (Lbs./A)

Avg. Seed/Lbs.

Suggested Nitrogen Rate (Lbs./A)

DG263L

Long

58/69

26%

6%-8%

6.5mm

83

45-65

17,500

150-180

DG245L

Long

64/70

21%

6%-8%

6.5mm

82

60-105

18,500

150-180

DG353M

Medium

60/70

12%

10%-12%

5.6mm

86

60-105

16,500

150-180

Disease Ratings Variety

Blast

Bacterial Panicle Blight

Cercospora

Kernel/False Smut

Lodging

Narrow Brown Leaf Spot

Sheath Blight

Straighthead

DG263L

MR

MR

MS

MR

MR

R

S

N/A

DG245L

MS

MS

MS

MS

MR

R

S

N/A

DG353M

MS

MS

MS

MS

MR

R

S

N/A

VS = Very Susceptible

S = Susceptible

INSTAGRAM: @RICEFARMING

MS = Moderately Susceptible

MR = Moderately Resistant

R = Resistant

DECEMBER 2023 | RICE FARMING

23

RiceTec Products1

RT7321 FP

RT7421 FP

Technology Traits

RT7521 FP

RT7523 FP

RTv7231 MA6

FullPage

RT7331 MA

XP753

Max-Ace

RT7302

RT7401

RT3202

Conventional

Grain Type

Long

Long

Long

Long

Long

Long

Long

Long

Long

Medium

Yield Advantage

25%

23%

24%

23%

15%

49%7

27%

30%

24%

30%

55/70

54/70

54/70

58/70

53/68

55/70

55/70

56/70

55/70

65/73

Days to 50% headed

81

84

86

86

78

81

81

83

84

78

Days to Grain Maturity

111

114

116

116

108

111

111

113

114

108

Milling Average

2

Agronomic Characteristics Stress Tolerance

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Average

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Pubescence

Present

Present

Present

Present

Absent

Present

Present

Present

Present

Present

Height (inches)

46-50

44-50

44-50

44-48

40-44

46-50

42-46

46-50

44-48

44-48

Standability

Below Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Grain Retention

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Ratoon Potential3

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Average

Average

Above Average

Above Average

Average

Above Average

Average

Total Nitrogen (lbs.)

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

120-150

Preflood

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

90-120

Late Boot

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

Management Recommendations

Disease Characteristics

4

Blast5

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

Sheath Blight

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

Straighthead

S

MS

MS

MS

S

S

S

S

MS

S

Kernel Smut

MS

MS

MS

MS

S

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

False Smut

MS

MS

S

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

MS

Stem Rot

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

Bacterial Panicle Blight

MR

MR

MR

MR

S

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

Sheath Rot

MR

MR

MR

MR

VS

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

Narrow Leaf Brown Spot

MR

MR

MR

MR

S

MR

MR

MR

MR

MR

RiceTec seed characteristics and performance are determined from data collected from specific RiceTec and/or University field trials and are not a guarantee of performance, nor do they constitute a warranty of fitness for a particular use.

Milling averages taken from head-to-head comparisons in planting date trials; very early and medium-late seed products may be disadvantaged due to single harvest date. Harvest at 18-20% moisture at first drydown to maximize grain quality and grain retention.

3 Ratoon potential on later-maturing or late-planted rice may be reduced.

4 R = Resistant, MR = Moderately Resistant, MS = Moderately Susceptible, S = Susceptible 5 RiceTec seed products have shown field resistance to common strains of rice blast fungus. Susceptibility to unusual strains of rice blast fungus, which have been thus far rare in the field to date, has been documented in nursery trials.

6 This cultivar has the potential to sprout under rainy conditions at physiological maturity. Optimum harvest moisture is 20%.

7 Comparison vs PVL03 1

2

24 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

RICEFARMING.COM

Researchers Create App to Help Drones Improve Farm Efficiency When Flown at the Right Times, Drones Can Help Farmers Adapt to a Changing Climate

By Jessica Heath

INSTAGRAM: @RICEFARMING

DIGITAL AGRICULTURE LAB

R

esearchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed a web application to help farmers and industry workers use drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles, or UAVs, to generate the best possible data. By helping farmers use resources more efficiently, this advancement could help them adapt to a world with a changing climate that needs to feed billions.

Associate Professor Alireza Pourreza, director of the UC Davis Digital Agriculture Lab and postdoctoral researcher Hamid Jafarbiglu, who recently completed his doctorate in biological systems engineering under Pourreza, designed the When2Fly app to make drones more proficient and accurate. Specifically, the platform helps drone users avoid glare-like areas called hotspots that can ruin collected data.

Drone users select the date they plan to fly, the type of camera they are using and their location either by selecting a point on a map or by entering coordinates. The app then indicates the best times of that specific day to collect crop data from a drone.

Jafarbiglu and Pourreza said that using this app for drone imaging and data collection is crucial to improve farming efficiency and mitigate agriculture’s carbon footprint.

Receiving the best data — like what section of an orchard might need more nitrogen or less water, or what trees are being affected by disease — allows producers to allocate resources more efficiently and effectively.

“In conventional crop management, we manage the entire field uniformly assuming every single plant will produce a uniform amount of yield, and they require a uniform amount of input, which is not an accurate assumption,” said Pourreza. “We need to have an insight into our crops’ spatial variability to be able to identify and address issues timely and precisely, and

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, can help farmers monitor the state of fields and orchards but data can be affected by the position of the sun. A web application developed at the UC Davis Digital Agriculture Lab helps farmers and researchers find the best time to fly for their date and location to avoid creating errors in data.

drones are these amazing tools that are accessible to growers, but they need to know how to use them properly.”

Dispelling the Solar Noon Belief In 2019, Jafarbiglu was working to extract data from aerial images of walnut and almond orchards and other specialty crops when he realized something was wrong with the data.

“No matter how accurately we calibrated all the data, we were still not getting good results,” said Jafarbiglu. “I took this to Alireza, and I said, ‘I feel there’s something extra in the data that we are not aware of and that we’re not compensating for.’ I decided to check it all.”

Jafarbiglu pored through the 100 terabytes of images collected over three years.

He noticed that after the images had been calibrated, there were glaring bright white spots where they were supposed to look flat and uniform.

But it couldn’t be a glare because the sun

was behind the drone taking the image. So Jafarbiglu reviewed literature going back to the 1980s in search of other examples of this phenomenon. Not only did he find mentions of it, but also that researchers had coined a term for it: hotspot.

A hotspot happens when the sun and UAV are lined up in such a way that the drone is between the viewable area of the camera’s lens system and the sun. The drone takes photos of the Earth, and the resulting images have a gradual increase in brightness toward a certain area. That bright point is the hotspot.

The hotspots are a problem, Jafarbiglu said, because when collecting UAV data in agriculture, where a high level of overlap is required, observed differences in the calibrated images need to come solely from plant differences.

For example, every plant may appear in 20 or more images, each from varying view angles. In some images, the plant might be close to the hotspot, while in others it may DECEMBER 2023 | RICE FARMING

25

Example of drone image data with hotspot. ▶

Depending on latitude and time of year, the sun can create false bright spots, or hotspots, in drone data.

be situated further away, so the reflectance may vary based on the plant’s distance from the hotspot and spatial location in the frame, not based on any of the plant’s inherent properties. If all these images are combined into a mosaic and data are extracted, the reliability of the data would be compromised, rendering it useless.

Pourreza and Jafarbiglu found that the hotspots consistently occurred when drones were taking images at solar noon in mid-summer, which many believe is the best time to fly drones. It’s an obvious assumption: the sun is at its highest point above the Earth, variations in illumination are minimal, if not steady and fewer shadows are visible in the images. However, sometimes that works against the drone because the sun’s geometrical relationship to the Earth varies based on location and the time of year, increasing the chance of having a hotspot inside the image frame when the sun is higher in the sky.

“In high-latitude regions such as Canada, you don’t have any problem; you can fly anytime. But then in low-latitude regions such as California, you will have a little bit of a problem because of the sun angle,” Pourreza said. “Then as you get closer to the equator, the problem gets bigger and bigger. For example, the best time of flight in Northern California and Southern California will be different. Then you go to summer in Guatemala, and basically, from 10:30 a.m. to almost 2 p.m. you shouldn’t fly, depending on the field-oriented control of the camera. It’s exactly the opposite of the conventional belief, that everywhere we should fly at solar noon.”

26 RICE FARMING | DECEMBER 2023

Example of output from the app recommending times to fly in Canada.

Grow Technology, Nourish the Planet Drones are not the only tools that can make use of this discovery. Troy Magney, an assistant professor of plant sciences at UC Davis, mainly uses towers to scan fields and collect plant reflectance data from various viewing angles. He contacted Jafarbiglu after reading his research, published in February in the ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, because he was seeing a similar issue in the remote sensing of plants and noted that it’s often ignored by end users.

“The work that Hamid and Ali have done will be beneficial to a wide range of researchers, both at the tower and the drone scale, and help them to interpret what they are actually seeing, whether it’s a change in vegetation or a change in just the angular impact of the signal,” he said.

For Pourreza, the When2Fly app rep-

resents a major step forward in deploying technology to solve challenges in agriculture, including the ultimate conundrum: feeding a growing population with limited resources.

“California is much more advanced than other states and other countries with technology, but still our agriculture in the Central Valley uses technologies from 30 to 40 years ago,” said Pourreza. “My research is focused on sensing, but there are other areas like 5G connectivity and cloud computing to automate the data collection and analytics process and make it real-time. All this data can help growers make informed decisions that can lead to an efficient food production system. When2Fly is an important element of that.”

Jessica Heath is a content specialist in the UC Davis College of Engineering.

RICEFARMING.COM