Arkansas farmers have decent year despite floods, drought, experts say; completed rice harvest in state's northeast looking good, officials say; cotton harvest nearly finished
Andrew Rogers
JONESBORO, Arkansas
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November 1, 2011
(Associated Press)
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Agriculture experts say that Arkansas growers could have made out a lot worse this year.
Farmers endured floods in the spring and drought in the summer. No statewide yield figures are in yet, but Cooperative Extension Service officials told The Jonesboro Sun on Monday that farmers are getting a good return, if not setting records.
The rice harvest is complete in the state's northeast, and officials say the crop is turning out well. However, growers had higher costs to pump water due to the lack of summer rain.
The cotton harvest is nearing completion and the harvest of late-growing soybeans is under way.
One challenge growers didn't have to endure this year was Asian soybean rust. The fungus thrives in wet conditions, so the drought helped keep it in check.
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