News

Arkansas rice harvest disappoints, raising concerns for 2027

An extension agronomist says rice yields are disappointing as harvest wraps up in Arkansas.

Jarrod Hardke with the University of Arkansas tells Brownfield heat and drought affected crop yield.

“I’ve got the average yield at 167 bushels per acre, slightly down from the target, but not by much from an overall state average yield.”

In late August, extreme heat and poorly timed rains affected rice quality and milling yields.

“The drier rice grain gets in the field, the more brittle it’s going to get so when you try to mill it, it’s more breakable.”

He says the increased breakage means lower prices for farmers, further squeezing profitability.

Hardke says the reduced profitability doesn’t bode well for next year’s rice production, and that could have serious implications for infrastructure in the largest rice growing state in the country.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Jarrod Hardke – Part 2.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Jarrod Hardke – Part 1.