Dr. Jarrod Hardke takes the mic
Aug 22, 2022
HARRISBURG, AR – People came from far and wide to the Northeast Rice Research Extension Center (NERREC) last Thursday evening for the Horizon Ag Arkansas Field Day. While this was the fifth field day hosted at the Center this summer, this was the first time Horizon Ag held a field day at the NERREC’s Greenway Shop facility that was completed in 2021.
More than 100 individuals attended, a striking testament to the strong partnerships Horizon Ag has built in the area.
“We had an excellent turnout and appreciate everyone who attended,” said Dr. Tim Walker, general manager for Horizon Ag. “Without the partnerships we’ve built with our state extension, research universities, seed dealers, farmers, and industry partners, Horizon Ag wouldn’t be where we are today.”
The program kicked off with a facility update by NERREC Director Dr. Tim Burcham who said construction is underway for an exhibition hall, a demonstration kitchen, a dedicated youth education space, offices, and research laboratories.
Outside, attendees toured the rice research plots and heard from Zach Tanner, a rice farmer from Bernie, Missouri, and Nolan Evans, who farms in Weiner, Arkansas. Both growers are involved in early variety production for Horizon Ag while Tanner is also one of their critical seed producers. Both gave updates on their experiences with some of the most popular Horizon Ag varieties: CLL16, CLL17, PVL03, and CLL18, which will have a limited amount of seed released in 2023.
Dr. Jarrod Hardke, rice extension agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was invited to give a status report on this year’s crop. “What a long, strange trip it’s been,” said Hardke. “What began as another in a series of wet springs quickly turned into a drought as we hit June. Some have compared it to other drought years such as 1980. Despite the struggles of managing the crop this year, at this point it still looks very strong, but the combine will tell the story.”
The Horizon Ag District field representatives wrapped up the program with crop and variety updates from their respective areas while attendees enjoyed dinner and door prizes.