By Ron Baker and Ralph Mazzanti, Rice Research Verification Program Coordinators

South Arkansas: Farmers ran long and hard last week prior to Friday’s heavy rain.  Eight out of nine fields have been planted in South Arkansas. Rainfall amounts since Friday totaled 5.1 inches in Jefferson County to 1.5 to 2.8 inches in Chicot County. The Arkansas County field planted in the new U of A variety Diamond received extensive bird damage during emergence. Stand counts were 7 plants ft² about half of what is ideal for a conventional variety. Pre-emergence grass herbicides are starting to break in the Arkansas County multiplier field. Due to continued rainfall in April residual grass control was observed for 33 days in that field.

North Arkansas: Due to timely rains, the six fields currently planted in North Arkansas all have a pre-emergence herbicide that is activated and the rice has either emerged or is emerging to a good stand in all of them.

Refer to the linked pdf for field-specific information.