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Rice farmers set statewide average yield record in 2007 Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007 Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas rice farmers produced an estimated 160 bushels per acre in 2007, breaking the previous record set in 2004 by 4.9 bushels per acre, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said Monday. Overall, the state produced an estimated 95.4 million hundredweight of rice this year, according to the university. One hundredweight equals 100 pounds of rice. Arkansas rice producers will harvest an estimated 1.33 million acres of rice this year, 75,000 fewer acres than last year. Weather played a major role in the record season, said Stewart Runsick, program coordinator for the UA Cooperative Extension Service. Many farmers planted earlier than normal this year thanks to dry weather in March and April, he said. "Earlier planting seems to lead to higher yields," Runsick said. Cooler temperatures during flowering contributed to higher yields and quality, he said. |
