Rice Research and Extension Center to Host Annual Field Day

By Ryan McGeeney

One of Arkansas’ longest-running institutions focused on the art and science of rice production will hold its annual field day on Thursday, Aug. 7.

he Rice Research and Extension Center, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will host farmers, consultants and other agricultural industry professionals for field tours and discussions of ongoing research into rice variety breeding, disease control and more.

The center is located at 2900 AR-130 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The first of two field tours will begin at 7:30 a.m. The second field tour will begin at 9:30 a.m.

“We want to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the morning,” said Alton Johnson, director of the Rice Research and Extension Center for the Division of Agriculture.

A luncheon will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., during which researchers and experts with the Division of Agriculture will give updates on the state of the Arkansas rice crop, Division of Agriculture research, rice breeding programs and more. Speakers include Johnson; Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture; Keith Glover, president and CEO of Producers Rice Mill, Inc.; Kevin McGilton, CEO of Riceland Foods; and Deacue Fields, vice president for agriculture for the University of Arkansas System.

We look forward to hosting attendees at this year's Rice Field Day at Stuttgart,” Hardke said. “The program consists of updates on a wide range of topics for ongoing projects with researchers from the Division of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including weed science, irrigation, insect control, agronomy, disease management, breeding, quality and more.”