More than 100 farmers, consultants and retailers were introduced to Horizon Ag's 2010 lineup of Clearfield rice varieties during the company's recent field day at Tanner Seed Farm in Bernie, Mo.

Horizon Ag will offer a broad lineup of Clearfield rice choices on the market next season with the addition of two new lines from the University of Arkansas and two new lines from Louisiana State University, said general manager Randy Ouzts.

“Our product line is expanding to include eight proven, high-performing Clearfield varieties bred to meet the needs of rice farmers across the Mid-South and Gulf Coast rice markets,” Ouzts said. “The lineup is anchored by CL151, which is proving its high yield potential with strong performances on commercial farms this season.

“CL151 yield reports from Louisiana and Texas are ranging from 187 bushels to 242 bushels per acre, and there are many fields in Arkansas and southeast Missouri planted to CL151 yet to be harvested. CL151 is demonstrating its ability to yield with hybrids while offering considerably better milling and grain quality. We expect this variety to be in great demand in 2010 and substantial seed stocks will be available.”

Joining CL151, CL131, CL161 and CL171-AR are two new varieties from Karen Moldenhauer's program at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Rice Research and Extension Center. Both CL142-AR and CL181-AR will have limited commercial availability in 2010. CL142-AR is similar to Francis in height and has shown excellent vigor and tillering. It offers outstanding yield potential and has a large-sized kernel, which is ideal for parboiling market, said Moldenhauer.

CL181-AR is a semi-dwarf plant comparable to CL131 in height. It has shown very good vigor, outstanding yield potential and excellent milling and grain quality.

“Early indications show CL181-AR having a very good disease package,” Moldenhauer said. “Both of these varieties should fit the Arkansas and Missouri rice markets very well, offering high yield and excellent grain quality. CL142-AR rates moderately susceptible to sheath blight and susceptible to rice blast, but like Wells blast should be able to be controlled with a deep flood.”

New from LSU for the 2010 season are the long grain variety CL111 and CL261, Horizon Ag's first medium-grain Clearfield variety.

According to Horizon Ag, CL111 has yield potential approaching that of CL151 with earlier maturity, and should be a very good choice for the coastal ratoon markets and should have a very good fit in other areas as well due to its grain quality and milling. In Texas and Louisiana, CL111 appears to be a week earlier in maturity than CL151, which is attractive to growers who second crop their rice.