BASF and University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture develop new Clearfield^® rice variety CLL18

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, October 21, 2022 – BASF Agricultural Solutions is collaborating with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture on the research and development of a new, high-yielding Clearfield®️ rice variety.

This new Clearfield long-grain variety, named CLL18, will benefit rice growers in Arkansas and the south Delta region and is available for the 2023 growing season. CLL18 yielded an average of 221 bushels per acre in Arkansas Rice Variety Advancement Trials in 2020 and 2021, and pairs very well with CLL16, which was also bred by the Division of Agriculture.

CLL16 and CLL18 are the highest yielding Clearfield varieties to come out of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture, for Arkansas growers. These varieties are essential for controlling weedy rice, red rice and tough-to-control barnyardgrass.

“This is a great addition to the Clearfield rice variety portfolio,” said Frank Hardimon, Rice Licensing Account Manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions. “It has performed extremely well in the Arkansas Rice Variety Advancement Trials, and will help rice growers in the mid-south protect their return on investment by getting the most out of every acre.”

CLL18 will be marketed through Horizon Ag and its approved retailers. A limited quantity of CLL18 seed will be available in 2023 with a full, commercial launch expected in 2024. Horizon Ag is the seed company exlusively licensed by BASF to market Clearfield^® and Provisia^® rice varieties.

“The funding and technical support provided by BASF allows the Rice Breeding Program to significantly increase the number of annual research and breeding plots,” said John Carlin, director of the Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Crop Variety Improvement Program. “This collaboration increases the probability of releasing strong performing varieties like CLL16 and CLL18 for Arkansas and other mid-south growers.”

The almost 20-year collaboration currently includes funding and technical support for the Division of Agriculture Rice Breeding Department to aid in the development and advancement of new high performing Clearfield®️ and Provisia^®️ rice varieties. 

“We are excited to join forces with the Division of Agriculture and Horizon Ag to provide rice growers with more herbicide tolerant solutions to help feed a growing planet,” said Frank Hardimon.

“Horizon Ag is proud that our longtime relationship with the Division of Agriculture, other universities and BASF continues to bring forward new tools, like CLL18, that improve the profitability potential of rice farmers,” added Dr. Tim Walker, Horizon Ag general manager.

For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2021, our division generated sales of €8.2 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.  

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,700 employees in North America and had sales of $25.9 billion in 2021. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €78.6 billion in 2021. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.