USA
September 14, 2018

The Provisia™ Rice System has had a very positive launch year. Farmers have called throughout the season expressing excitement about this new technology. At first, the calls were about its effective control of weedy rice. Calls then progressed to comments not only about effective weed control but also economical weed control. In a year that had tremendous grass pressure, the Provisia Rice System really stood out.
 
The economic advantage of the weed control system far outweighed the need for one to two fungicide applications, especially when you add in reducing weedy rice pressure in fields that were yielding lower due to infestations of weedy rice. When weedy rice pressure is reduced, yields of conventional and Clearfield® varieties and hybrids will rebound.
 
We have eagerly awaited yield reports from fields planted to PVL01, the first varietal release of the Provisia Rice System. So far, so good. Yields in south Louisiana met overall expectations with a range of 145–170 bushels per acre. We also have yield data beginning to be reported from Arkansas. The highest yields reported in Arkansas to this point have been 180–190 bushels per acre. While there have been some lower yields as well (around 125–140 bushels per acre), we luckily have had the opportunity to assess the fields in some of those situations. So far, it appears that glyphosate or some other herbicides may be to blame. We ask you to call us to look at fields of PVL01 if you have concerns. If a variety or hybrid is extremely low-yielding, there is usually a clear cause. There were some fields that reported blast earlier than expected, but it appears that fungicide applications were very effective in controlling the disease. 
 
As we launched the Provisia Rice System, there were things yet to be learned about PVL01. We have been diligent in establishing tests and observing commercial production in 2018, which will be beneficial in fine-tuning recommended management practices in 2019. We will be providing recommendations that give the best opportunity to restore profitability to farms impacted by weedy rice and hard-to-control grass. For those who took a “wait and see” approach for this exciting new technology in 2018, it’s not too early to consider the benefits PVL01 can bring you in 2019. Stay tuned, as information will continue to be released in the coming weeks.

Website: http://www.horizonseed.com

Published: September 14, 2018