Part 2: Delta Farm Press asks four famers four questions for a mid-season check in.

Stinkbugs are on the radar for Arkansas rice farmers and scouts. Coker said, “With so much of the acreage being at the same growth stage, we think that it will possibly keep stinkbug populations spread out and not as concentrated.”Photo courtesy of Jay Coker

At a Glance

• Louisiana rice harvest kicked off early-July, with a ratoon crop to follow.
• Seed supply was an issue for many in the Midsouth, however no issues were reported for chemical and fertilizer.
• While some Delta farmers were relieved to have missed Hurricane Beryl, others were hoping for more rain.

In part two of this crop update series, Delta Farm Press caught up with contributing farmers on July 15 for a mid-season recap. Here were the questions: 

1. What is the crop stage and progress at this point? 
2. Have you seen any insect or disease pressure? 
3. Have you experienced supply issues? 
4. Does anything stand out different this year compared to the rest? 

While one farmer is amid rice harvest, another is concerned that localized heavy rains may be the detriment to late planted beans.  

Louisiana 

Paul Johnson, Welch, La., took the interview call from the cab of his combine. At the time, Johnson said they were working into the third day of rice harvest. However, those days have not been consecutive, as rain has interfered. 

“Last year, I don’t think my combine got one drop of rain on it. But this year, so far, I’ve been rained out every day,” he said. 

A smooth roller follows behind the combine, knocking down the rice stubble to encourage regrowth from the base of existing rice plants. As soon as regrowth starts, Johnson will fertilize the fields, return them to flood, and manage the ratoon crop. 

Johnson’s hope is for drier conditions. He said, “Every acre is ratooned. We need dry ground conditions, because we don’t want ruts.” 

In terms of insects, Johnson reported little issue. However, rice disease was as expected. 

“Right here where I am located in southern Jeff Davis Parish, we have a lot of disease, even when other parts of southwest Louisiana do not have it quite as bad,” Johnson said. Higher disease pressure is likely due to closer proximity to the coast, higher humidity, and more rain showers in the area.  

The most prominent disease is sheath blight, and Johnson has treated every acre with fungicide. His concern is resistance. He said LSU AgCenter Plant Pathologist Felipe Dalla Lana recently visited the farm to collect rice samples and test for fungicide resistance. 

Blast has not been an issue. But Johnson specifically selects blast resistant rice varieties. “That is because I know that I am going to have to fight sheath blight. If possible, I want to focus on just one disease,” he said. 

In terms of supply, Johnson reported no trouble getting chemicals, fertilizer, or seed. However, many of his neighbors were not so lucky when it came to rice seed, and they had to shift gears to what was available. 

One big difference this year is the early start to hurricane season. While Johnson did not feel the effects of Hurricane Beryl, it was a near miss. He said 50 miles further to the east meant they would have felt it. 

“Typically, we do not see storms like that this early in the growing season,” he said. 

Weather permitting, harvest will rock on. Johnson said yields look strong and fingers are crossed that the trend will continue.  

Arkansas 

Near Stuttgart, Ark., Jay Coker said a large part of the rice crop planted from late March into April is around 10 days ahead of the 10-year average. Much of the crop stage is late boot to heading. Coker foresees rice harvest happening by Aug. 15. 

For corn and soybeans, the growth stage depends on replant conditions and extreme weather events like flooding and hail. Coker said the soybean growth stage ranges from R3 to R5. 

Insect pressure is nothing out of the ordinary. Stinkbugs are the biggest focus for rice scouts, but it is early in critical stages when the pests can cause the biggest problems. So far, Coker has not met thresholds for treatment. 

He said, “With so much of the acreage being at the same growth stage, we think that it will possibly keep stinkbug populations spread out and not as concentrated.” 

Disease is also minimal. Usually, pressure is focused on sheath blight and smut. Much of the rice acreage in Coker’s area is proactively treated for smut based on weather and field history.  

“I do not know of any major disease in rice or soybeans that has made us adapt or change what we would normally do,” he said. 

Fungicide treatments are also going out on soybeans. Some are made according to Extension recommendations. Others are determined by economics, production practices, and whether the farmer feels a fungicide treatment can offer a return based on field history. 

As for supply, Coker saw disruptions. There were issues with seed supply for hybrid rice in both medium and long-grain in the area. 

“Supply goes back to suppliers. They can see disruptions way before we see it as the farmer,” Coker said. Sometimes it was a matter of shuffling products with a week lag. In other cases, farmers had to shift varieties. 

In terms of differences this year, Coker said it is extreme weather. “We continue to see extreme weather events, which is something we haven’t experienced before.” 

Missouri 

Near Neelyville, Mo., Eric Hover got his soybeans planted, despite localized heavy rain. In some cases, he said it took two to three replants. A few acres need a fourth, but now it is too late. 

“It is a localized area, and we are still getting hammered with rain. We have quite a few neighbors who have not gotten all their crops planted. At this point, it is going to be a wash for the year on those acres. We have several hundred acres that I would not consider an acceptable stand, but at this point, there is not much we can do about it,” Hover said. 

Every third day they have gotten at least an inch of rain. “It is great for the early planted crops, but the rain is making it harder on the later planted acres,” he said. 

In general, Hover’s rice crop looks good. The earliest fields are around 25% headed, and the latest rice is at late boot. Soybeans, however, have a wide gap in growth stage ranging anywhere from needing a stand to R6.  

“I have only been farming since 2005, and this has been a very odd year,” Hover said. 

Disease and insects have been light. Sheath blight has been minimal in rice. Blast showed up in the earlier rice crop but has since calmed down. Hover has seen some aerial blight in soybeans, and automatic fungicide applications have been used as a preventative. 

Grasshoppers are present, but Hover said they have not inflicted enough damage to justify an insecticide. As for stinkbugs, it is early in the game. He said, “We have plenty of grass where stinkbugs usually start, but I have not been seeing them in the grass patches, so that is a good sign.” 

One difference this year is an increase in herbicide resistance. Hover noticed it mostly with sedges and red rice. “Generally, we have not had issues. I do not know what it is this year, but it seems worse,” he said. 

Supply has been stable in terms of fertilizer and chemicals. Any delays were no more than a day or two to get what was needed. Seed, however, was an issue.  

“Rice seed in general was an issue. Plus, some popular soybean varieties that were not booked before the first of the year did tend to run a little short.” 

Mississippi  

In Grenada, Miss., Coley Bailey reported that 80% of his cotton looks good, but the youngest 20% of the crop has dealt with rain and seedling disease, impacting plant stands.  

It is a hot, dry year and only 25% of his cotton acres are irrigated. Bailey said, “Overall, the crop looks good. It’s holding on. We are 100% no-till and 100% cover crop, and I do that to prepare for years like this – to retain the moisture.” 

Bailey is watering all he can on irrigated acres and is looking forward to good chances of rain later in the week.  

Insect pressure has been low this year. Bailey had to spray for aphids on 1,000 acres, and beneficials took care of the aphids on the other 5,000 acres of his farm.  

As for plant bugs, he has only had to spray 500 acres. Thrips are present, but 80% of his farm is planted in ThryvOn cotton, thus reducing his need to spray for thrips and plant bugs. 

Bailey said he needs rain. “The cotton is right where it is supposed to be, and we would love to see these middles full of water this week.” 

In terms of supply, Bailey had no issue. He gets his products from Nutrien, located a half mile from his office.  

As for differences this year, Bailey said it is irrigating during a drier, hotter year. “For us, the last two years have been light irrigation years. I did not have to water as much as I have been watering this year,” he said. 

Furthermore, Baily missed Hurricane Beryl. He said it hit land further west, and the 2 inches of forecast rain did not come through. “By the time it was done, we received anywhere from a quarter of an inch to six-tenths across the farm,” he said. 

Published Date: July 29, 2024