What the Rice Field Day Is
The Rice Field Day is the yearly open house of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart. Growers, consultants and industry visitors ride out to the research plots to hear scientists explain what the latest trials show. The 2026 field day was held on Thursday, August 6, and was co-sponsored by the Division of Agriculture and the USDA's Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center. Center director Alton Johnson summed up the approach: "Arkansas is our classroom."
How It Works: The Timeline
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Tour One (two hours) |
| 9:30 a.m. | Tour Two (two hours) |
| 11:30 a.m. | Luncheon with a rice crop overview and remarks |
Tour One
- Rice breeding updates on long-grain, medium-grain and aromatic lines, with Xueyan Sha and Christian De Guzman
- Agronomy with Jarrod Hardke: production recommendations, new varieties, fertility and integrated pest management
- Entomology with Nick Bateman: rice water weevil and defoliation thresholds, pyrethroid-resistant rice stink bugs and insect-disease interactions
- USDA-ARS developed germplasm lines: tolerance to high nighttime temperatures and 16 germplasm lines and varieties, including Sallah, an aromatic variety
Tour Two
- Improved long-grain germplasm from USDA-ARS, with lines aimed at reduced irrigation, heat, salinity and disease pressure
- Fertility with Trent Roberts: soil and tissue testing, soil health and nutrient loss mitigation
- Weed control with Jason Norsworthy and Bob Scott, including barnyardgrass research
- Irrigation with Christopher Henry: soil moisture sensors, surge irrigation and a pit-less pump for furrow-irrigated rice
Luncheon
Lunch at 11:30 a.m. includes a rice crop overview by Jarrod Hardke, an update from Deacue Fields, head of the Division of Agriculture, and remarks from Keith Glover of Producers Rice Mill and Kevin McGilton of Riceland Foods.
Rice Genetics Poster
USDA-ARS scientists present a poster on genetic markers and pre-breeding germplasm for yield, grain quality and stress tolerance. The USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection holds about 19,000 rice accessions from more than 100 countries, the pool breeders draw on for new traits.
Who Can Come and What It Costs
The event is aimed at rice producers and others in the industry. Admission is free, and registration is walk-up on the day of the event. No advance sign-up is described. Because each tour runs two hours, arrive for the 7:30 a.m. start to see both in order, or come at 9:30 a.m. for Tour Two and stay for the luncheon.
Where
Rice Research and Extension Center, 2900 Highway 130 East, Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Questions
Do I need to register ahead?
No. Registration is walk-up on the day.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a luncheon is served at 11:30 a.m. with the speakers above, and the event is free.
What topics will I hear about?
Breeding, agronomy, insects, fertility, weed control and irrigation, plus USDA germplasm work on heat, salinity and disease tolerance.
Where do I get the full program?
The Division of Agriculture's field day page carries the program. The Division of Agriculture state office can be reached at 501-671-2000.
Official Links
- Division of Agriculture announcement: 2026 schedule, tours and speakers
- 2026 RREC field day program: program page named in the announcement
University of Arkansas Extension: The Essentials
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and has a physical office in each of Arkansas's 75 counties, per the Extension "About" page.
What it offers
Four program areas: 4-H and youth development, agriculture and natural resources, community, professional and economic development, and family and consumer sciences. Farmers get help with crop pests, soil testing, livestock and marketing, and homeowners with lawns, water quality and timber.
4-H
New members can join at any time at no cost, and returning members re-enroll September 1 through December 31, per the Division of Agriculture. The county 4-H agent matches each child to a club.
Next steps
Find your county office at uaex.uada.edu/counties, or call the state office at 501-671-2000 or toll-free 888-884-5565.
Read the full guide: University of Arkansas Extension: County Offices, 4-H and Help for Producers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Arkansas Pecan Festival
Pecan festival on Main Street in Keo, scheduled for December 5, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Street, Keo, AR 72083 Official event details - Arkansas Rice Festival
Rice-themed festival in downtown Weiner, scheduled for October 9, 2027.
Weiner, AR Official event details - Arkansas Farm Bureau Annual Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 3-5, 2025 (91st convention). Includes a public trade show with 180+ vendors, a farmers market, workshops and elections of state leaders.
- Four States Agricultural Expo
Annual research and best-practices expo for area growers, held at the Four States Fair and Rodeo grounds in Texarkana; the most recent date was February 12, 2026.
- Defeat the Beast Rodeo
Fourth annual two-night rodeo at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock hosted by local Arkansans; the most recent dates were March 27-28, 2026, with shows at 7 p.m.
2600 Howard St., Little Rock, AR Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.