FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. (RFD-TV) — Harvest is moving at a record pace across parts of the Delta and Mid-South as hot, dry weather pushes soybean and rice harvest forward in Arkansas.
University of Arkansas Extension agronomist Jarrod Hardke joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report with a harvest update from the region.
In his interview with RFD-TV, Hardke said producers are still dealing with extreme heat through the end of August and into September, creating challenges for crops harvested under unusually hot conditions.
“The simplest way to put it is, it’s hot and dry, and it refuses to give up,” Hardke said.
Heat Creates Rice Quality Concerns
Hardke said the combination of high temperatures and dry weather has created particular concerns for rice milling yields.
Rice is harvested and milled for whole kernels, with broken kernels receiving less value. Hardke said the current weather is reducing whole-kernel yields.
“We’re going to see what looks like now an average of a 10% reduction in price received just based on milling yield alone,” Hardke said.
He added that the 10 percent estimate is conservative.
Hardke said the conditions are unusual because rice harvest is already well underway. He compared the current temperatures with 1980, another famously hot and dry year, but noted that rice harvest was not nearly as far along then.
“In 1980, we didn’t reach this point until October,” Hardke said. “So we’ve really never experienced this type of weather during a rice harvest before.”
Soybean Harvest Moves at Record Pace
Soybean harvest is also progressing at a record pace in the region.
Hardke said early quality reports have been relatively positive, but producers are watching conditions closely as the heat and dryness continue.
Concerns remain about green stem issues, sticking leaves, and other quality problems as soybeans dry rapidly.
“Again, it’s primarily a quality concern, so it’s catching everything,” Hardke said.
Hardke said his colleague, University of Arkansas Extension soybean specialist Jeremy Ross, has also reported inconsistencies in fields and concerns about how yields will hold up as harvest continues.
Corn Provides a Bright Spot
Corn has been a bright spot for Arkansas producers.
Hardke said corn yields have been strong after the crop avoided much of the worst heat experienced later in the season.
“Our corn yields were great,” Hardke said. “Corn escaped most of the worst of the heat that we ended up running into.”
He said that could be a bright spot for Arkansas and much of the Mid-South.
Rice Faces Additional Pressure
The rice industry is facing additional challenges after a significant reduction in rice acreage this year.
Hardke said lower milling quality adds another layer of pressure at a time when rice producers are already dealing with economic challenges.
“Given our already massive reduction in rice acres this year, in light of the current economic situation and factors surrounding rice, to then compound the lower quality hit that this weather is bringing to us, that’s affecting rice in the field,” Hardke said.
He said the combination could make it difficult for rice acreage to recover next year.
“The outlook is not great going forward for even next year into rice in terms of acres returning,” Hardke said.
Diesel Costs Add to Producer Pressure
Higher diesel costs are another concern for producers as harvest continues.
Hardke said the increased cost of operating equipment is being compounded by lower prices received for rice and other commodities.
“So stack that increased cost on top of what we now know is going to be a lower price received for rice in particular and those commodities, so it’s a very somber mood,” Hardke said.
He said the quiet phone calls coming into Extension indicate the mood among producers.
“When the phone starts to get awfully quiet, you know what the mood is. Nobody wants to talk because they don’t have anything good to say,” Hardke said.
