The record yields of 2012 may be a tough act to follow, but University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture experts will be on hand Thursday, Feb. 7, to help rice producers in southeastern Arkansas get the most out of their 2013 crop.

The Southeast Arkansas Rice Production Meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the AAM building in McGehee on U.S. Hwy. 65 North. The meeting concludes at 6:45 p.m. with dinner and an update from Harvest Rice, Inc., of McGehee discussing incentives for rice growers to grow rice this year.

There’s no cost to attend, but RSVPs to the Desha County Extension office at (870) 222-3972 or (870) 382-4785, are appreciated for a dinner head count. Registered attendees will be entered into drawings for door prizes. For Certified Crop Advisors, continuing education credits will be available.

“We’ll hear the latest university rice recommendations, plus get an update on the N-ST*R program, which can help reduce nitrogen inputs. Harvest Rice of McGehee is also looking for as many rice farmers or potential rice farmers to attend as possible, as representatives from the company will be on hand to discuss some incentives they may offer to growers to increase planted rice acres this season,” said Wes Kirkpatrick, Desha County Extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

On the agenda:

Harvest Rice is sponsoring the steak dinner and refreshments.