This spring's cold temperatures have hindered the rice stands. Don Respess, Bolivar County agricultural agent, said more rice will have to be replanted than in normal years. Daytime temperatures just haven't been high enough. Bolivar County leads the state in rice production with almost 64,000 acres in 1996. Respess said he expects the acreage to increase to about 75,000 this year.
Rice pays debts.
Dwayne Wheeler, Tunica County agricultural agent, said few fields have rice emerging. Wheeler said farmers are planting more rice than last year, largely due to improved market prices and the opportunity to rotate to a different crop. The 1996 Farm Bill allows farmers more freedom to plant different crops. Farmers like to rotate rice and soybeans. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.