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Rainfall deficit in the Delta adds more uncertainty at planting

Rice agronomist Jarrod Hardke with University of Arkansas Extension says the extremely dry soils are a serious concern as planting begins.

“The majority of the Delta region of Arkansas would need more than 20 inches of rainfall to break the drought. That’s how far behind we are.”

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor says 33 percent of Arkansas is experiencing extreme drought, with nearly 3 percent in exceptional drought.

Hardke tells Brownfield the dryness isn’t a major concern for rice yet, because the ground has already been worked, but it is for other crops.

“A lot of the rice behind planted now is on ground that’s been prepared much earlier,” he says. “But anything that still needs to be worked, bedded up and planted with some warm days scattered in and high winds…There’s very strange days at the moment.”

The extreme dryness is a change from this time last year, when heavy, consistent rains were falling in Arkansas, which eventually led to historic flooding, impacting crops.

Hardke says if the dryness doesn’t improve, there can be issues with surface water irrigation, or if heavy rains come in April and May to make up for lost time, there could be similar problems to last year.

“It’s unclear what’s coming the rest of spring, but odds are we’re not going to get a nice, gentle catch a rain, dry up and get in a week of planting. Then, get another rain and dry up after a few days and get in another week of planting. You know, the nice, gentle ride you cross your fingers for and never happens.”

He says rice planting started in eastern Arkansas around March 20, and there’s not as much excitement due to the weather uncertainty and economic pressures.