Drought Challenging Arkansas Rice Harvest, Corn Crop Ahead of Schedule

This year's rice harvest in Arkansas will be a challenging endeavor due to the drought, according to Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

As of last week, 7 percent of Arkansas' rice had been harvested, which is ahead of last year's 4 percent and the 3 percent five-year average, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Hardke noted that farmers are currently 'chasing the drying ground with the combine' as they try to harvest their crops before the weather gets worse.

The corn harvest is also underway, with 21 percent completed in its fourth week. This surpasses last year's 16 percent and the 9 percent five-year average.