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Rice Farmer Of The Year
Clay Poole, Eudora, Arkansas, has been named the 2020 Rice Farmer of the Year at the 23rd Annual National Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference, Southern Corn & Soybean Conference, Southern Precision Ag Conference and the Delta States Irrigation Conference.
Poole is the owner of Poole farms in Eudora, Arkansas. He farms with his father Tommy Poole. They farm corn, soybeans, sorghum and rice. Poole earned a degree in aviation from the University of Louisiana, Monroe. It was while at college that Poole met his wife Brandy. They have two children, Ava Clayton and Ella Grace. They are a strong Christian family which carries over to the farming operation, resulting in a desirable workplace culture for the Poole family operation and its employees. I’ve never been anything but impressed with how they carry themselves and are looked upon within the community.
Poole maintains sustainability and profitability through intense marketing and progressive practices. He believes in being proactive and understands that early adopters capture the most value. He uses a company to assist him with crop marketing, this allows him more time to focus and manage the operation from a hands-on perspective.
Poole is always looking for ways to improve yield. He, unlike so many, feels there is a fine line between reducing input costs and achieving higher yields. Whether it be fertility management on corn or rice, weed control on soybeans or rice, or the importance of timely planting, Poole understands that intense management and necessary inputs ultimately produce higher yield. For Poole farms, inputs and management separates the operation from so many who aren’t reaching desirable yields as a result of reduced inputs.
Poole is also a model of stewardship and soil conservation, always striving to implement practices that conserve and improve what the Good Lord has blessed him with. He leans on outside people to help with insects, fertility and seed. Poole is one great farmer, family man and friend.
Poole does an excellent job of using minimal tillage practices for soil conservation. He also does a great job of planting early each year in order to catch rainfall and use less ground water. He is constantly changing chemistries on his farm to ensure that resistance doesn’t become an issue. He utilizes a zone soil sampling program to make sound fertilizer decisions. He is very proactive in every facet of his operation and uses every tool in his toolbox, like calling rice specialists, chemistry reps and independent consultants to help make accurate decisions. Poole is a great neighbor and is quick to help out a fellow farmer when someone is in need. ∆
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