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Excessive rains flood Missouri Bootheel fields

Missouri Bootheel farmer Rance Daniels says some of his recently planted rice fields are underwater following the excessive rains over the last week.

“We had 10.5 to 12 inches of rain in my area and north of me, up around Bernie and Dexter, I think they were closer to 14 inches of rain.”

But Daniels, who farms in Dunklin County, tells Brownfield he’s not too worried.

“I think it will be ok, because most of what we planted was planted early enough, it wasn’t up yet, but had started to germinate. As long as we can get the water off within one week or so, it will be ok.”

He says good drainage, combined with a cool, dry weather forecast should allow that to happen.

Daniels says he’ll know in the next two weeks if replanting is needed, which would be expensive this year.

“We definitely don’t need extra expenses this year, whether it be a rice or soybean crop,” he says. “When it comes to the rice crop, seed supplies were already tight. Replanting certain varieties, even if you needed to, there’s not seed availability.”

Daniels also says soybean planting has already started for some, but he’ll wait until the ground dries up before planting soybeans and more rice.

Photo: Unplanted fields flood after weekend rains in Dunklin County, Missouri. Photo taken by Rance Daniels.