Tough 2010 Crop Comes to Close With Mixed Yield Results
The 2010 growing season has been tough in certain areas to say the least. Excessive heat has affected many crops across the Mid-South, including rice. The lesson learned this year would certainly focus on the benefits of crop rotation, proper soil fertility, planting dates and a mix of varieties and hybrids to manage risks. This has been a very difficult crop and the clear winner for 2010 is Mother Nature.
Growers in Arkansas and Missouri continue to report a wide range of rice yields in all counties. Early planted rice seems to have fared quite well with CL151 being reported as high as 253bu in Prairie County, the highest 2010 confirmed rice yield in the state according to local seed dealers. This shows that even though some fields affected by excessive heat did not perform to expectations, the yield potential of this variety continues to be as good as any variety or hybrid on the market. CL111 performance has been quite good across most acres and demand will increase for 2011. Medium grain growers continue to express the need for CLEARFIELD® technology on their acres. CL261 will be widely available in 2011.
