Horizon Ag Adds New Rice Breeder At LSU Rice Research Station

Horizon Ag is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. María Guadalupe Montiel for the newly created position of Rice Breeder for the company’s independent lab located at the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter Rice Research Station at Crowley.

The position was created as part of a recent partnership between Horizon Ag and the LSU AgCenter to support enhanced collaborative breeding efforts. In her new role, Dr. Montiel will have access to the AgCenter’s elite rice-breeding germplasm, and any new varieties released by Horizon Ag will be in addition to the AgCenter’s breeding activities.

“We are extremely happy to have María in this important role as we initiate this innovative, promising partnership between Horizon Ag and the LSU AgCenter,” said Dr. Tim Walker, CEO of Horizon Ag. “There is tremendous value in having more breeders working collaboratively to improve grain yields and quality, both of which are very important to southern U.S. rice farmers.”

Dr. Montiel graduated as an engineer in agronomy from the University of Buenos Aires and has just recently completed all of her requirements for her doctoral degree at LSU (Soil, Plants and Environmental Management), with concentrations in plant breeding and genetics. 

She began her career in plant breeding in 2005 and has specialized in rice breeding since 2015. As Rice Breeder and Seed Production Manager at Adecoagro in Argentina, Dr. Montiel managed seed production for over 60,000 hectares per year and developed rice varieties tailored for the main export markets worldwide.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to work alongside the world-renowned rice breeding team at the LSU AgCenter to develop new varieties that will help rice farmers and the southern rice industry be more profitable and sustainable,” said Dr. Montiel. “Horizon Ag has long been a leader in the southern U.S. rice industry, and I look forward to adding my contributions to that effort.”