Rice Research and Extension Center to host annual field day
Aug. 6, 2025
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- First tour begins at 7:30 a.m.
- Event to highlight rice breeding, varieties, pathology and more
- No cost to attend
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STUTTGART, Ark. — 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.
The 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.”
The field day is open to the public. There is no cost to attend.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment)
without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other
legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Alton Johnson at altonj@uark.edu as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120