Rice seed treated with AV-1011 is approved for use in drill, water, and broadcast systems.  The use-rate for AV-1011 seed treatment is 18.3 fluid ounces per 100 lbs of seed.  The cost per acre of this product will be dependent upon seeding rate.

Situations where this product could have the greatest benefit for rice growers include:

• Late-planted, isolated rice fields.
• Rice fields that are water-seeded.
• Rice fields that are broadcast-seeded.

Field re-entry periods and other restrictions apply to the use of this product.  Always read and follow label directions.

Please contact your local seed dealer for more information about having your seed treated with this product.

The approved registration and label can be found on the Arkansas State Plant Board website here:

http://plantboard.arkansas.gov/Pesticides/Documents/13AR03_Section%2018%20AV-1011%20Bird%20Repellent%20for%20Rice%20Seed.pdf

Producers had planted 19 percent of the soybean crop last week, 50 percent behind 2012 and 21 percent below the five-year average.  The soybean crop emergence was at 9 percent, 45 percent behind 2012 and 17 percent below the five-year average.

The most common call I’ve had the past few days has been on fields that were ready to be planted, but weeds are starting to emerge.  What can we do?  No matter what approach a grower takes, the main point is to start clean.  One option is to cultivate these fields to knock-down what weeds have emerged.  Another option is to apply a burndown with your preemerge herbicide.  One possibility is Gramoxone plus Authority MTZ.  This combination will allow immediate plant back, and it also provides some metribuzin.   Keep in mind some soybean varieties are sensitive to metribuzin, and ratings can be found in the 2012 Metribuzin Tolerance Testing of Soybean Varieties.  Other good options are Valor, Prefix, Fierce, Dual, and Sharpenin combination with Roundup or Gramoxone to name a few.  Please read and follow all pesticide labels.

Many fields did not receive a proper burndown application of dicamba for horseweed.  A good option in these fields is to apply Sharpen at 1.0 oz per acre (this rate allows immediate plant back of soybean)  This rate and timing may not completely control horseweed, but will do a good job of burning it down and getting it out of the way to plant.  Then just be prepared to comeback with FirstRate at 0.3 oz per acre with each post application of Roundup or Liberty in LL beans for complete control.  Zidua and Fierce (Valor + Zidua) are two new residual options for soybeans.  Both provide control of pigweed, broadleaves and grasses.  See the label for plant back restrictions on Rice and other crops.

To me, in fields with heavy pigweed pressure, the best option is to plant Liberty Link soybeans.  We have tested several Liberty Link soybean varieties over the past five years, and have not seen any yield problem with the currently available varieties.  Many of the Liberty Link soybean varieties yielded as well as the Roundup Ready 2 Yield varieties.  Our recommendations in the Liberty Link systems are to use a preemergence herbicide and two in-season application of Liberty to control weeds.

Dr. Jarrod Hardke Dr. Bob Scott, and Dr. Yeshi Wamishe

Planting Forecast

This has been a week for progress up and down the state.  The last rice planting progress estimate came in at 60% on Monday, but I have a strong feeling that we’ll be in the 80% range by the time the next estimate is released.  With rainfall scattered throughout the state as I write this and more on the way tonight and tomorrow, I hope you’ve made enough progress to now be in need of a shower.

Are we nearing the end?  Well, there will be rainfall through tomorrow and more is forecast for Tuesday.  At that point we’ll find ourselves in late May – probably a good time to start making a judgment call to stick with rice or go to soybeans.  Don’t be hardheaded; make the best financial choice regardless of crop.  I’d like for you to be able to plant more rice this year, but I’d rather you plant something else if it keeps you farming another year.  Then you can plant some more rice.

Can we still make profitable rice planting in late May?  I believe that we can.  We are well behind on heat units and history says we’ll make them up during the growing season (Table 1).  Is there any assurance of that?  I’m afraid I’m not properly insured to guarantee it.

Cultivar Selection:  Match Game

If you decide to stick with rice, don’t worry so much about the maturity of the cultivar – focus on the disease package you need.

Concerned about bacterial panicle blight?  Plant a hybrid or Jupiter.  No other cultivars offer an effective level of resistance.

History of blast problems?  If you cannot manage an adequate flood and apply a fungicide in a timely manner, then plant a hybrid so that it’s not an issue.

Straighthead an issue?  Taggart, Francis, and CLXL745 are reasonable options.

Lodging?  Roy J is your best bet, but Taggart and Rex fair pretty well also, to name a couple.

If you want to go for the big boom, I understand.  Just make sure you have enough safer choices planted to cover your bottom line and prevent a bust year.

If you’re still in doubt, “dance with the one that brung ya.”

Table 1.  DD50 units accumulated from March 16 to August 15 each year.

Warm Days & More DD50 Units

Could we be any further behind on DD50 units?  1993 was the last time we accumulated as few heat units from March 16 to May 13 as we have this year (1993 = 581, 2013 = 506).  We need heat units to make a crop, and history says they should be on their way.  In 1993, we ended up with a total of 3,192 DD50 units from March 16 to August 15, despite starting out slow.  The thirty-year average for the same period is 3,366.  Do I expect some of the top-end yields seen from early-planted rice in 2010 and 2012?  No, but I hope improved quality makes up for any yield reduction we see.

Section 18 Approved for Bird Repellent

AV-1011 Bird Repellent for rice seed has received an emergency exemption for use in Arkansas until June 15, 2013.  This product has shown to be effective at preventing bird depredation of rice seed.  Rice seed treated with AV-1011 is approved for use in drill, water, and broadcast systems.  Please contact your local seed dealer for more information about having your seed treated with this product.

Always read and follow label directions.

Picture 1.  Fast and furious planting early in the week in northeast AR.

Herbicide Issues

Remember to read labels carefully when making pre-emergence burndown applications prior to planting rice.  Herbicide plant-back restrictions are on the label for a reason and should be followed.  If you press the issue, you could pay for it later by further delaying your rice crop.

Remember to be aware of fields planted around yours when herbicide applications are being made.  Try your best to avoid affecting your neighbor’s crop and hopefully he’ll do the same for you.  “Flag the Technology” to help in this battle.

Picture 2.  Black River Relief relieving itself on this unsuspecting rice field.

Diseases May Be a Concern in Late Planted Rice

Dr. Yeshi Wamishe provides guidance on diseases of late-planted rice in an article posted today.  For more information, please see the article on the Arkansas Row Crops blog here:

http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2013/05/16/diseases-may-be-a-concern-in-late-planted-rice/

DD50 Enrollment

Please remember to enroll your fields in the DD50 program this year.  Call or email your local county extension office and they can enter the fields for you.  You can also send them to me and I’ll see that they’re entered.  Or you can visit http://dd50.uaex.edu/dd50Logon.asp to enter them yourself.  Feel free to contact me with any questions or problems.

Additional Information

Arkansas Rice Updates are published periodically to provide timely information and recommendations for rice production in Arkansas.  If you would like to be added to this email list, please send your request to jhardke@uaex.edu.

This information will also be posted to the Arkansas Row Crops where additional information from Extension specialists can be found.  Please visit the blog at http://www.arkansas-crops.com/

Acknowledgements

We sincerely appreciate the support provided by the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board for this publication.

The authors greatly appreciate the feedback and contributions of all growers, county agents, consultants, and rice industry stakeholders.

Stressed rice seedlings

Arkansas producers have been struggling to plant rice in the cold and wet conditions of 2013. As of the second week of May, the oldest rice I have seen was at the 3-leaf stage.  I planted my first field plots at the Rice Research and Extension Center on March 19, and the plants took a month to emerge. Since emergence, the cold weather has slowed down plant growth and the seedlings look stressed. Seedlings had several brownish spots that formed as a result of dew frozen on the leaves (photo A).  In your field, you might see similar symptoms and possibly more — including white rings that form at the soil line when seedlings encounter cold soil during emergence (photo B left).   In some cases, with cold weather, seedling leaves may turn dark brown (photo B, right). Symptoms get more complex if herbicide damage is also encountered (photo C).  Six weeks after planting, the seedlings still look unhappy and the expected solid green rice within plots is hard to see (photo D).  Instead, weeds have begun to emerge as pre-emergence herbicides lose control and seedling stands have been highly affected.

It is often said that rice is forgiving, and a significant proportion of our rice seedlings are likely to survive the harsh conditions if we finally get sunshine and warmer weather.  Modern rice varieties have the ability to tiller and fill in available space, thus compensating for early stand loss, but again only if we finally get sunshine and warmer weather. My other plots planted on April 25^th emerged on the 17^th day indicating soil temps are getting better.  In the third week of May several rice producers will still be planting.  With a rain shower every now and then, rice planting may continue through to the end of May or longer. Due to late planting, late emergence, or delayed growth in general, Arkansas rice in 2013 is going to be a late crop.

Some rice diseases are known to be of concern with late planted crops.  For disease to occur, it all depends on the presence of the pathogen, the susceptibility of the plant varieties, and favorable environmental conditions.  A disease occurs when the virulent pathogen propagules meet a susceptible variety in a favorable environment (see figure below).

The disease triangle

With late planting, you may be applying more nitrogen fertilizer to enhance plant growth through the short crop season. The excess nitrogen enhances development of not only the crop but also the pathogens. Excess nitrogen also makes the plants more lush and prone to pathogen attack.  As the season gets warmer and plants go into reproductive stages, water consumption by the crop increases.  When water is limited, it creates stress on the crop and the crop becomes prone to pathogen attack.  As weather is perpetually dynamic, the combination of dry- hot or wet-warm, foggy-warm, or other situations create favorable conditions for some pathogen groups to survive and reproduce unchecked.  It is important to note that reproductive stages are generally the most susceptible times for disease in crop development.

Blast (photos E & F) is one of the diseases of primary concern in late-planted rice. The pathogen attacks leaves, nodes, the collar and panicles of rice plant. If a susceptible variety such as CL 261 is planted late in the spring in a field with a history of the disease, blast is likely to prevail. These fields include those with sandier soils, river-bottom areas where dew is prominent, surrounded by trees, low in potash, and with inadequate irrigation capacity. The disease is aggravated by frequent light rains in June and July.  If leaf blast is apparent or suspected, you need to pump the water depth up to 4 inches or more. The flood needs to be held until it is time to drain the field. This will minimize the risk of neck blast.  The pathogen being seed- and air-borne, blast can affect plants early in plant growth. Therefore, you need to be prepared to spray an approved fungicide before heads have emerged. Two applications may be needed depending on the situations. Do the first application at late boot to boot-splitting and the second when heads are about 2/3 out on the main tillers. Be sure the panicle bases on the main tillers are still in the boot during the second application. The fungicides will not be as effective once the heads are fully out of the boot. Therefore, do not wait too late to apply the fungicide.

Rice blast symptoms

Bacterial panicle blight of rice (photos G, H) is another major disease of late planted rice. In fields with a history of this disease, it should be of primary concern because there is no successful treatment for prevention or control of this disease.  In 2010 and 2011 late-planted rice fields were hit the hardest.  A planting date study in 2012 at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart showed severe bacterial panicle disease in plots planted in the third week of May.  In this study, seeds of Bengal (a susceptible variety) were artificially inoculated with the bacteria. Rice in these test plots reached their peak reproductive stages during the hot days and nights of July.  The bacteria were present, the variety was susceptible, and the environment was favorable for the bacteria to survive and reproduce.  Later in August, the windy-rain of a Tropical Storm Isaac enhanced disease transmission between neighboring panicles.  The disease triangle was perfectly aligned and plots suffered from the disease.  We are working to understand this disease, but at this time, resistance is the best control method.  So far, the hybrids and Jupiter appear to do well in this regard.  These cultivars are not immune to the disease, but provide the best resistance of available lines.  High potash and adequate nitrogen fertilization, a “not too dense” crop canopy, and a constant deep flood throughout the season appeared to reduce the disease pressure in the past years.

Bacterial panicle blight

Kernel smut and false smut (photos I and J) are frequently blamed for quality loss in fields with a history of the diseases. The smuts are unpredictable diseases. They may occur in hot-dry years or warm and wet years. What we do know is, they hit late-planted rice harder than early-planted rice. Under favorable conditions most of our cultivars are susceptible to smuts. False smut appears to be less sensitive to propiconazole fungicides than kernel smut.  For this reason the fungicide rate has been increased from 4 fl oz  of propiconazole to 6 fl oz rate.  Since the fungicide is for suppression of the diseases, spray earlier at mid-boot instead of waiting until boot-split.  Remember that fungicide timing and rate are important for suppression of both kernel and false smut.

I. – Kernel smut
J. – False smut

Please refer to the MP154 – Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide – 2013 (links below)

Rice seedling diseases

Rice fungicides

You can also contact your county agents for the rate and timing of applications.

Fig. 1 – AR 2012 Crop Soybean Cash Market Prices (May 6-10, 2013)

The New Crop Soybean Market had a less volatile week than old crop beans.  A 13 cent weekend loss seemed to take the life out of the market as trading for the week stayed within a 13 cent range, and ended the week 14 cents lower than the previous weekly closing average.   After the lower trading on Monday, the daily average fluctuated most of the midweek to a high daily average of $12.17 on Thursday before falling off on Friday to a $12.04 close, 14 cents less than the previous Friday closing average.  High individual daily market average for the week was $12.37 at Helena and West Memphis on Thursday.  The low market of the week was reported from Augusta on Friday at $11.78.  The last day of trading quotes across state markets found six of the fourteen markets under the $12.00 level, twice the number of the previous week’s ending quotes.  Ending prices for the week ranged from the $11.78 low at Augusta to a high of $12.24 at both West Memphis and Helena.  These quotes left the statewide closing day price range at 46 cents, a narrowing of 3 cents from the previous end-week gap.

Fig. 2 – AR 2013 New Crop Soybean Booking Prices (May 6-10, 2013)

(Market average prices stated in this report are unweighted averages of the state markets surveyed by NASS.  Price data was based on USDA LR GR111 Arkansas Daily Grain Reports.)

Dr. Jarrod Hardke and Dr. Bob Scott

Planting Forecast

A week (mostly) without significant rain chances?  I believe that qualifies as a drought these days.  The getting is still good for rice, so it’s time to make tracks if you can.  The current forecast is for rain on Friday, with models shifting from light accumulation (less than ½ inch) to now showing ½ to 1 ¼ inches with up to 2 inches in some locations.  Next week’s forecast is nothing but warm and sunny though, so plan accordingly.  This week’s USDA progress estimate came in at 48% of rice acres planted, but we should be able to make a big push over the next two weeks given the forecast.

I have received several questions about yield predictions for this year based on the table I provided last week showing yearly planting progress compared to eventual state yield.  I did compare this year’s planting progress to that of 2011 when we had a state average yield of 150 bu/A, which paled in comparison to last year’s record of 166 bu/A.  However, I believe the comparison between 2011 and 2013 stops at the planting progress figure.

In 2011 we accumulated 570 DD units from March 16 to April 30 compared to 336 over the same period in 2013.  Over the past thirty years the DD50 units we accumulate across the entire growing season are surprisingly consistent.

Looking at Table 1, you’ll find that from March 16 to July 15 over the past 30 years, our DD50 unit accumulation has ranged from 2,004 units to 2,820 units.  The most interesting part of that is that the low occurred 30 years ago and the high occurred last year – interesting stuff.  However, the average is 2,400 DD50 units and you can see that we remain surprisingly close to that on an annual basis.  That tells me that our lack of heat units so far suggests they are yet to come during the season.  So our rice may not actually be as far behind as the calendar might lead you to believe.  There are still a lot of heat units waiting out there to make a good rice crop.

Table 1.  DD50 units accumulated from March 16 to July 15 each year.

Picture 1.  Time to get this train moving.

Water-seeded Rice

I’ve been hearing more talk of people water-seeding rice, especially on heavy soil that growers cannot seem to get dry enough to drill.  While not our “go-to” way of doing things, it works if you do it the right way.  If you are going to attempt to water-seed fields where you originally planned to drill-seed, remember to take extra care when going this route.  There is a difference between water-seeding fields that have been prepared for it from the beginning and those fields where you’re forced into it at the last minute.  The success of water-seeded rice is greatly affected by soil surface conditions and flood depth, not to mention the wind and weather conditions, at the time it is seeded.

A few recommendations on seeding rate if you choose to water-seed rice:

• Increase seeding rate by 30% over rate recommended for drill-seeded rice.
• Tillage considerations:
  • No-till:  increase additional 20%.
  • Conventional tillage:  increase additional 20% if poor seedbed preparation (ungrooved).  No increase if good seedbed preparation (grooved).
• Increase additional 10% if planting late (after June 1).

For more information on seeding rate recommendations, please see the 2013 RICESEED Update:

http://www.arkansas-crops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Riceseed-Update-2013.pdf

2,4-D on Rice Levees

This Friday the Arkansas State Plant Board has taken action to help growers in the 10 counties (Clay, Cross, Greene, Crittenden, Poinsett, Mississippi, St. Francis, Lee, Phillips, and Craighead) affected by the April 15^th ban on 2,4-D by easing restrictions on the use of 2,4-D to control weeds on RICE LEVEES ONLY!  This easing of the restrictions are on levees only – all other restrictions on 2,4-D still apply.  However, no permit is required and there is no cut-off date for levee applications.  This will help farmers in these areas specifically with pigweed control but will also make levee weed control more economical in general.

Do not infringe on the other restrictions in place for 2,4-D.  don’t forget that although levee applications are allowed, you must still adhere to restrictions regarding distances and wind to sensitive species that were in place in addition to the overall ban.  This ban has been successful in reducing the occurrence of drift of 2,4-D to cotton.  If these changes result in abuse of the system, they could be put back into place in 2014.  For more information please visit the Arkansas State Plant Board website.

Use of Rice Seed Patented by the University of Arkansas

Several people have inquired about the patents that exist for University varieties such as Roy J and what the patents mean for growers.

All rice varieties recently released by the UA Division of Agriculture are protected by plant variety protection certificates and utility patents.  Growers have permission to save harvested seed for planting on land that they own, rent, or lease.  However, harvested seed cannot be sold or transferred to anyone else for planting.  All seed that is sold for planting must be sold by variety name and it must be produced per Arkansas State Plant Board seed certification regulations.  This is required so as to protect the integrity of the varieties, the breeding program, and the Division.

Further Update on Treated Rice Seed

CruiserMaxx Rice label:

DO NOT use in water-seeded rice.

DO NOT broadcast by air.

NipsIt INSIDE label:

Dry seed only.

Aerial broadcast is not prohibited but seed must be covered with soil.

Dermacor X-100 label:

Dry seed only.

Aerial broadcast is not prohibited, but you MUST incorporate seed into the soil.

Apron XL label:

Aerial broadcast and water-seeding not prohibited.

Maxim 4FS label:

Aerial broadcast and water-seeding not prohibited.

Dynasty label:

Aerial broadcast and water-seeding not prohibited.

Release label:

Water-seeding not allowed.  Aerial broadcast is not prohibited.

Please remember to carefully read all labels and follow all applicable directions, restrictions, and precautions listed there.

Pest Alert:  Aphids in Rice

There have been reports of aphid infestations showing up in seedling rice this year.  For more information, please see the article written by Dr. Gus Lorenz posted to the Arkansas Row Crops blog here:  http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2013/05/03/pest-alert-aphids-showing-up-in-arkansas-rice-fields/.

Picture 2.  A lot going on in central AR.

Cold, Wet Weather Optimal for Herbicide Injury in Rice

Dr. Bob Scott provides some guidance on herbicide injury in rice due to our recent weather conditions.  For more information, please see his article posted to the Arkansas Row Crops blog here:

http://www.arkansas-crops.com/2013/05/03/cold-wet-weather-optimal-for-herbicide-injury-in-rice/.

Additional Information

Arkansas Rice Updates are published periodically to provide timely information and recommendations for rice production in Arkansas.  If you would like to be added to this email list, please send your request to jhardke@uaex.edu.

This information will also be posted to the Arkansas Row Crops where additional information from Extension specialists can be found.  Please visit the blog at http://www.arkansas-crops.com/

Acknowledgements

We sincerely appreciate the support provided by the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board for this publication.

The authors greatly appreciate the feedback and contributions of all growers, county agents, consultants, and rice industry stakeholders.

Green stink bug

Brown stink bug

Rice stink bug

You may notice when scouting wheat fields for stink bug that you find the highest numbers on the edges of the field, particularly near levees, tree lines, CRP, pastures, etc. As you move into the field the numbers should drop off tremendously.  So, on the off chance you do have to spray, you can probably limit your applications to the borders of the field.  One to two (at the most) passes should do the job.

I’m also getting a few calls on armyworms in wheat;  it’s the true armyworm, which are not unusual in the wheat crop this time of year. The difference this year is they are still small and haven’t moved up the plant at all, one of the few advantages of a cold spring I guess.  Based on our observations and calls received, for the most part the armyworms are about an 1/8-1/4” long and are staying low in the canopy.  Most of the numbers appear to be about 1-2 up to 4-5 per square foot.  We have seen no movement up to the flag leaf anywhere at this point.  Believe it or not, I’m hearing that a few people are spraying—although I don’t know why.  With most wheat already in soft dough, that’s a losing proposition.  Once you reach soft dough and they aren’t cutting heads, you are making money by not spraying.  We worked hard on that threshold, and I have every confidence that yields are maintained once the wheat reaches soft dough, even if they eat the flag leaf.  Populations hitting earlier, like at bloom or milk stage, might cause yield loss but at the soft dough stage, where most wheat is right now, we should be fine.  That is, UNLESS, the armyworms start cutting heads. Then we need to take action.  Same as with stink bugs, if you have to spray, pyrethroids will probably be the product of choice. Always read and follow the label.

True armyworm

I guess the gist of all this is scout closely and don’t get caught up in thinking you need to spray because there are a few pests out there.

Weed control applications have been hard to make this year due to the frequent rainfall and wet fields.  Corn fields that received an application of Dual II Magnum or similar product PRE have remained fairly clean and provided much needed time for post applications.  However, where a preemergence herbicide was not applied, fields have grown up fast with several weeds.  Maximum corn yield potential will be lost with extensive weed competition early.  The field to the right will loose a large portion if not all of its yield potential in this corner due to competition from glyphosate resistant ryegrass.  Due to the cool temperatures many of the weeds giving us trouble in the early planted corn are winter annuals that normally emerge in the fall.

Glyphosate resistant ryegrass and horseweed problems in corn have been the bulk of the questions lately.  First of all, big ryegrass is hard to control anyway, but to compound the situation, there are also several populations of ALS resistant ryegrass in the state.  Based on our current data Steadfast Q at 1.5oz/A has been the best option for controlling glyphosate resistant ryegrass in corn.  Keep in mind that Steadfast Q will not work if the population of ryegrass in your field is also ALS resistant.  If the population of ryegrass is resistant to both glyphosate and ALS herbicides, Liberty is probably the only remaining herbicide option if the corn variety planted is Herculex, or tolerant to Liberty.  Two applications 10-14 days apart of Liberty will most likely be needed to provide  marginal control of resistant ryegrass. As we move forward to other crops, make a note of these fields where glyphosate resistant ryegrass has been a problem.  Control of this weed is much more effective with burndown/residual herbicide applications in the fall.

Glyphosate resistant horseweed in many growth stages is also becoming a problem in some corn fields.  Several options to control this in corn, but combinations containing Halex GT plus Atrazine, or combinations with Dicamba would be the best options for controlling newly emerged horseweed or escapes from burndown applications.  Liberty at 29 oz/A is also an option for corn varieties containing the Herculex trait or varieties tolerant to Liberty.

Pigweeds are also emerging in most corn fields, that did not have a PRE down at planting.  Luckily several herbicide combinations with atrazine (Capreno, Halex GT etc.) will control glyphosate resistant pigweed in corn.  The key is timing and like with most weeds, pigweed control is much better when the plants are small.

The results are reported as percent of optimum cotton lint yields for each week of planting during the season. As you can see, especially North of Interstate 40, yields may be reduced up to 30% if cotton is planted the last week of May. Keep in mind this data is based on yield averages over numerous years, varieties and environmental conditions. The overall deciding factor in any year is the environmental conditions during peak bloom as well as temperatures in September.  Most of us remember the 2011 season.  It started off much like this one in regards to the percentage of the cotton crop that was planted late.  That year the bulk of our crop was planted past May 20th and the yield results statewide were 10-15% lower than average. The main factor affecting the yields in 2011, was the lower than average temperatures in September.  Late planted cotton can still produce high yields as long as September temperatures provide enough heat units to mature fruit in upper portion of the plant.

How late is too late?  Generally, due to the high possibility of significant yield reductions, we do not recommend planting cotton past May 29th for Northeast Arkansas, June 1st for Central Arkansas and June 3rd for Southeast Arkansas. However, late planted cotton can be profitable if the price is right. Producers in Arkansas should consider only planting early maturing varieties, if possible, past May 15.