New Rice Varieties for the Southern Market

By Don Molino, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

During his report on the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain reported Horizon Agriculture is introducing two new long grain rice varieties—CL 153 and CL 172—among the first efforts of Horizon Ag to develop “high quality and higher yielding products for the southern long grain market.”

Traditionally, said Strain, with the higher yielding products they have not been able to hold the quality together with the higher volume rice varieties.

“So how are we (the US agriculture industry) going to continue to feed a growing world population? In addition to higher yields we have to have strong, high quality,” according to Strain.

From an overall industry standpoint—going back to the 2010/2011 crop—there were some challenges with that particular variety.  “But now,” said the commissioner, “it’s really coming around.”