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Answers about rice
The U.S. rice industry produces 20 billion pounds of rice annually.
There are 5,563 rice farmers throughout the country that grow rice across a collective 2.8 million acres.
Most of the farming is done by family farms across six major rice-producing states of Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.
On average, each rice farm contributes $1 million to their local e
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the AgNow Roundup
Did you know Arkansas is a rice powerhouse?
Arkansas producers primarily use direct seeding for rice. This method is similar to wheat planting.
Fields are flooded after the rice reaches its fifth leaf stage. This helps with nitrogen management and weed control.
Eastern Arkansas, or "the Delta," is the main rice area, while the Arkansas River Valley and Southwestern Arkansas also grow rice.
Arkansas grows 1.1 to 1.5 million acres of rice annually with 85-90% is long grain rice and 10-15% is medium grain rice.
Long grain rice is for table use and medium grain rice is used in food industries.
Arkansas's soil is perfect for rice, making traditional flooding is common and 15-20% of fields use furrow irrigation.
Effective water management is key, and Arkansas's rice production is innovative and efficient.
In this episode, we dive deep into rice production in Arkansas, and learn from
Dr. Jared Hardke of University of Arkansas Extension. Learn about direct seeding, delayed flood systems, and why Arkansas is a prime location for rice farming.
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Rice Production - 11/07/23
As a staple food for millions of people around the world, rice plays a central role in many of our diets.
Rice production demonstrates a commitment to sustainable agriculture, often leading the way in water management and innovative agricultural practices, which are a cornerstone of environmental conservation.
We talked with Dr. Bruce Linquist with the University of California's Extension Service about rice production in one of the largest rice-producing states.
With a couple of weather systems moving through this week, Meteorologist
Matt Makens shows us who will benefit from the possibility of moisture!