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Rice Production in Arkansas
Response to the Challenges of 2006
Re-Cap of 2005
- 2005 Arkansas planted a record 1.643 million acres and harvested a record
1.635 million acres with an average yield of 147.8 bushels per acre. Acreage
has fluctuated between 1.4 and 1.6 million acres over the past five years.
- The 2005 yield of 148 bushels/acre was the 2nd best on record but 7 bushels
less than the record set in 2004 at 155.1 bushels/acre.
- Major influences on crop production:
- The weather in 2005 had obvious negative impacts both directly and
indirectly.
- Wet March weather followed by cooler than normal temperatures in April
delayed the crop and reduced germination and emergence. This resulted
in a later crop, which typically causes reduced yields. The dry spring
resulted in salinity injury statewide more commonly than previously observed
in the last five years.
- Higher temperatures than that observed in 2003 and 2004 throughout
the reproductive stages negatively impacted yields and milling quality.
- Lack of rainfall throughout most of the season resulted in abnormally
high amounts of irrigation required. This, coupled with fuel prices approximately
double that paid in 2004, resulted in much higher costs for irrigation.
Many fields were inadequately irrigated. Producers who typically depend
on surface water found rivers, streams, and reservoirs with inadequate
water levels. Thus, irrigation well installation was necessary.
- Dry weather resulted in poor activity from herbicides resulting in
salvage applications necessary to clean up the crop. Subsequently, herbicide
costs were higher than normal.
- Increase in fuel prices, particularly natural gas, results in higher
prices for urea and other fertilizers. Average fertilizer prices for the
2005 crop were approximately twice that paid in 2004.
- In spite of the adversity, early estimates were for record yields. However,
the two hurricanes (H. Katrina and Rita) resulted in much of the crop becoming
lodged. Lodging often reduces yield 10-50% and results in nearly three times
the cost for harvesting. 35% of the crop was still in the field when Hurricane
Rita hit and caused approximately 75-80% of that rice to lodge.
Outlook for 2006
- Early estimations obtained from a number of producers this winter indicate
that rice acres will definitely decrease. Input costs of almost $200/acre
more than 2004 have made it difficult for many producers to make ends meet.
- Estimates indicate that we could see a 10-20% decrease in acres (150,000
to 300,000 acres). These decisions have not been finalized, but do look reasonable
based on current commodity, fertilizer, and fuel prices.
- Many reservoirs are currently too low to supply the needs for producing
rice, which may influence some producers’ decisions regarding the amount
of rice acreage they plant. Many farmers are still waiting to hear from lending
institutions regarding crop loans, which will also have an impact on the amount
of rice acreage.
How Can We Save Production Costs
Areas in which we can save money on this year’s crop include:
- Many fields are currently in good shape. This is due to the dry fall/winter
which allowed for a majority of field work to be accomplished and we certainly
did not “rut” any fields during harvest. This situation lends
itself to implementing a stale seedbed approach or some other minimum tillage
operations. This may be especially needed to maintain soil moisture for germination
and emergence.
- Use fertilizer rates as needed according to soil test results. Reducing
fertilizer inputs, particularly potassium, in situations where the fertilizer
is needed may result in undetectable yield losses that far exceed the cost
of potassium fertilizer. If fertilizer must be cut, phosphorus fertilizer
on marginally low soil test fields can often be cut in the short run. However,
this is not wise as a long-term plan.
- Variety selection is critical for individual fields. Select varieties that
are suited the the fields disease history. Consider Clearfield rice for red
rice infested acres, but beware of this program on non-red rice infested fields
because of reduced yields and increased seed and fungicide costs.
- Utilize fungicide seed treatments for early-planted rice or no-till rice
but do not use if the rice is planted after April 15th in South Arkansas,
April 20th North Arkansas. Seed treatments may cost as much as $7-10/acre
and provide little benefit after the weather becomes for favorable for germination
and emergence.
- Properly calibrating planting equipment for accurate seeding rates. This
is the first cost that many producers incur and can have a direct impact on
profit margins. Based on research over the past 5 years, we have reduced recommended
seeding rates for conventional rice varieties by 25%. Current research can
assist producers in saving as much as $5-10 per acre.
- Utilize multiple-inlet irrigation on every field. The reduced water usage
can save irrigation costs in the range of 10-50%, with an average of about
25%. This savings can be as much as $25-30/acre.
- Be prepared to flush to activate soil-applied herbicides. Although irrigation
costs have increased, a flush costing $8-12/acre that results in good weed
control is better than a $25-30 salvage herbicide application resulting from
inadequate herbicide activity.
- Utilize Agrotain-coated urea to maximize efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer
on fields that require more than 3 days to flood. In these situations, fertilizer
rates may be reduced to recommended amounts rather than increasing rates to
compensate for poor fertilizer efficiency. This may result in a savings of
$7-10/acre in actual cost, plus 5-10% increased yield. On fields that are
flooded quickly, use a single pre-flood application of 30 lbs/acre less than
the total amount recommended for the variety.
Only use fungicides that are needed based on the presence of disease, rather
than blanket applications. For the majority of the rice acreage only about 30%
of blanket applications result in a break-even or positive result, while nearly
70% resulted in reduced revenue.
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