We've been seeing adult damage for a while. The crop is looking good, though it just sat there for the longest time with the cold weather earlier. The good news right now is we have an adequate fresh water supply, so we will be able to drain. Compared to this time last year with our water problems, everything looks pretty optimistic except for the price. We have some that needs it but hasn't been flushed yet.
Growers are reluctant to start the pumps.
I was checking records and found that very little of our rice had emerged before May 5 last year. We're going into May this year with more than half of it already emerged. I don't know anybody who's not gearing up right now to flush at least some rice. The rice looks good but needs water to start it growing again, and very few levees have had enough moisture to gain a stand. I'm telling my growers to start flushing and keep running the water until the ground is as wet in front of the flushing as it is behind it.