Some Arkansas rice farmers are nearly through with planting thanks to favorable weather, according to Brad Koen, rice agronomist with the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. Typically, farmers can plant rice around April 1, but unfavorable weather usually prevents them from planting until around April 15. When the latter date rolled around this year, many farmers were well into planting. Arkansas rice farmers planted about 1.4 million acres of rice last year, more than 40 percent of the nation s total rice acreage. Koen said the crop is predicted to be slightly smaller this year.
Rice prices are a little low, similar to last year.
Medium grain prices are expected to be quite low this year. We re expecting a reduction in medium grain acreage, he said. Cocodrie is expected to be our largest planted variety. Last year, Drew was our largest variety in acreage. Cocodrie will replace a lot of Drew and Cypress.