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Ritter Agribusiness > Production Agriculture

Production Agriculture

FARMING, CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY

From its headquarters in Marked Tree, Arkansas, Ritter Agribusiness maintains its heritage of farming in northeast Arkansas as owners, managers and stewards of a 23,000-acre row-crop farmland portfolio.

Trey Hayden and Jason Brewer managed the farming operation, producing a variety of traditional, commodity crops including cotton, soybeans, rice, corn and wheat.

Ritter also owns an interest in a 60,000 bale cotton ginning and warehouse operation and a 15,000 ton cottonseed storage facility located in Marked Tree, Arkansas.

WE WORK HARD TO STAY AHEAD

As part of Ritter’s farming operation, Jason manages a 300 acre research farm, working with researchers from United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) to stay abreast of the latest methods and technological advances in the agriculture industry.

In addition to agronomic advancements, one of the main goals of the research farm is to help develop and put into practice advancements in soil and water conservation practices to promote environmental conservation and sustainability. As an example, Jason, who holds the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA), was one of the early adopters in northeast Arkansas to grow row rice, which substantially reduces the amount of required irrigation water.

Jason and Ritter are also partnering with a local irrigation pipe manufacturer to utilize computerized irrigation models to increase efficiency and reduce the consumption of irrigation
water in all crops.

OTHER CONSERVANCY EFFORTS WE'RE A PART OF:

Participating in multi-year studies with the United States Department of Agriculture and major universities discovering and managing how farming practices impact nutrients and sediments in water runoff.

Implementing the practice of planting grass and trees on land adjoining rivers to control erosion and runoff from fields.

Using no-till and conservation tillage practices and land forming of fields to improve irrigation efficiencies and sustainability.

Engaging in an initiative to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff through voluntary conservation practices that improve water quality, restore wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat and sustain agricultural profitability.

Taking Care of the Land

Ritter has been around a while. Since 1886, to be exact. But that doesn’t mean we’ve become stagnant. Fresh ideas, innovation and doing things right are a big part of why we’ve been here so long. And being established for so many years has enabled us to become grounded in the agricultural community. For over a century, we have been helping farmers, land owners and business owners in the Delta/Mid-South region boost productivity and profitability.