Arkansas Rice Update 5-9-25

by Jarrod Hardke, Rice Extension Agronomist - May 9, 2025

Arkansas Rice Update 2025-08

May 9, 2025

Jarrod Hardke, Scott Stiles, Bob Scott, Nick Bateman, & Ben Thrash

“It’s a black sky formin’ on the ridge.”

Flip or Fly

There will be no EASY button this year.  If you like rollercoasters, then buddy, 2025 is your year.

The upcoming forecast is currently giving us our best chance of lower 7-day rain expectations than we’ve seen in a while (Fig. 1).  What that doesn’t necessarily show though is that 5 of the next 10 days have some kind of rain chance even if it is for lower amounts.

Overall progress as of 5/4 had us at nearly 80% planted (Fig. 2).  Some that have dodged a rain here or there have inched a long some this week, but it’s been tough, and some that was roughed in.

A shift in temperatures next week into the 80s with some sun is the recipe we’ve been looking for to get this rice on the right track.  Time will tell how much of it we get and how long it lasts, but any stretch of it right now will make for a night and day difference for the crop.

With the planting difficulty across crops and so much emerged and intermingled, be extra cautious with herbicide applications.  Multiple rice technologies combined with corn and soybean in close proximity is going to make applications tough, especially when our spray windows are further limited by rainy, windy days.

Read on below for more information on starter nitrogen applications, grass control in small rice, rice water weevil management and seed treatments, and rice markets.

Let us know if we can help.

**DD50 Rice Management Program is live!  To enroll fields:  https://dd50.uada.edu/ **

Fig. 1.  NOAA 7-day precipitation forecast.

Fig. 2.  Arkansas rice planting progress as of 5-4-25 (USDA-NASS).

New Podcasts:

Weeds AR Wild S5, Ep4 (4-30-25): Escaped Winter Weeds and Early Season Weed Control (Tom Barber, Bob Scott, Jason Norsworthy)

Weeds AR Wild S5, Ep5 (5-5-25): Weedy Rice and Barnyardgrass in Provisia and MaxAce Systems (Tom Barber, Bob Scott, Jason Norsworthy)

Entomology Update 5-5-25: Rice Water Weevils, Stink Bugs in Corn (Nick Bateman, Ben Thrash)

Starter Apps on Sick Rice

Jarrod Hardke

In our continuing effort to respond to grower questions, we looked at the impact of “starter” N fertilizers on sick rice in 2024 – which seems to be relevant again in 2025.  Below in Fig. 3 are the results of the 4 studies we did using Ozark.  On silt loam soils at NERREC (Harrisburg) and RREC (Stuttgart), on 1-2 or 2-3 leaf rice that was looking sick from the weather and poor growing conditions, we applied 100 lbs of either urea + NBPT, ammonium sulfate (AMS), or diammonium phosphate (DAP).  These applications were made in late April to rice that was planted late March or the first week of April.  *Because we applied 100 lbs of each product, the actual N applied differed.*  (100 lb urea + NBPT = 46 lb N/acre; 100 lb AMS = 21 lb N/acre; 100 lb DAP = 18 lb N/acre)

First, we were unable to measure an increase in height, or visual improvement to any plots compared to the untreated check.  At harvest, Fig. 3 shows there were no differences in grain yield between the check and fertilizer treatments except for the 2-leaf trial at RREC (urea was better than the check).

The yield performance from these trials had a lot of variability from those early season conditions.  We’ll continue to evaluate this topic periodically, but it continues to show that starter N applications do not consistently provide a response on silt loam soils from a growth or yield standpoint.

From past studies on clay soils, we do expect to see some response from these types of applications, but more from the 2 leaf or later stage.  Even on clay soils the major benefit of these applications is some increased height (which can help get to flood quicker) but little yield response – it may or may not do enough to pay for itself, but getting to flood quicker may save enough money to justify the application.

For loam soils, we generally just need to ride out conditions, yield responses at these fertilizer rates need to be 6 bu/acre or greater to offset the cost of the fertilizer and application.

Note that in some past silt loam trials we have occasionally seen a small increase in plant height, and once in a while even a meaningful yield bump (like in one trial in 2024).  So, there’s always a chance lightning strikes in a given situation.  If you’re going to make an application, leave a couple passes off for comparison.  Oh, and don’t apply before the rice is at least 2-3 leaf regardless of soil type.

Fig. 3.  Starter nitrogen fertilizer applications on 1- to 2-leaf rice at Harrisburg and Stuttgart, 2024.

Fig. 4.  “Sick” rice prior to starter fertilizer application.

Bobbing and Weeding

Bob Scott

Little rice, big grass not the call you really want to get this time of year, but the weather has not cooperated with our weed control programs the way it did so well last year.  I hate getting this call, especially in a year when money is tight.  It usually means we missed a PRE or the PRE herbicides washed away from rain or it just did not work.  Getting that PRE out is our cheapest treatment in rice in terms of getting the most bang for your buck.

The important thing when this happens is to try and get the field back on track as quickly as possible.  This usually means using our POST products a little sooner than we would like to and tank mixing with another residual.

For examples, in MaxAce rice I like two shots of the 15.5 oz/acre rate of Highcard.  Because it has a safener in it, I just think the 3 shot program works better in Provisia rice than in the MaxAce system.  To be clear I think the MaxAce system is fine and works, I just think you need to be more careful with your applications.  I have had a couple of calls already where the MaxAce rice is not big enough for Highcard yet, but the barnyardgrass and other grass weeds besides weedy rice are getting away from us.  I think the best thing to do it hit that rice with an early shot of a full rate of Clincher and add a residual grass product (Command, Facet, Prowl).  This will buy you time on your Highcard application and you can focus it on the weedy rice, rather than other grasses.  In Provisia, in this same scenario, I could take the same approach or go with the 3-shot Provisia program totaling 31 oz/year.

There are just not that many herbicide options for rice that is smaller than 3-4 leaf and you can run into some crop response situations.  Most propanil products and Clincher can be applied early (less than 3 leaf) along with your residual products and Clearfield/FullPage.  Most Permit or halosulfuron products can also be applied early for nutsedge.  These products need to be a bridge to get you to a solid preflood option or to the next step in row rice.

Also getting a few calls on crabgrass, this one can be tough.  This is a weed that it helps to know the field history.  If you have crabgrass, you should automatically try and get Prowl I the program delayed PRE.

Just one final random thought this week.  A little planning goes a long way.  It is also that time of year when you find out what fields are planted with what and it can be frustrating.  I just mentioned Clincher a bunch on this early rice.  Another thing I hate to hear is when I make that recommendation, and they say “well I have corn on 3 sides…” (mute phone and scream)… then go back to figuring something else out.  Good luck out there.

Here Come Rice Water Weevils (And What to Expect from Seed Treatments)

Nick Bateman and Ben Thrash

We have had a few reports of some rice water weevil activity on some of the earliest planted rice that has gone to flood in the past 10 days.  Most of these reports have not been overly alarming with most of the activity being relegated to the traditional areas where we would expect to find higher populations (near tree lines and low lying/swampy areas).  In some of the more severe areas, folks have been asking about foliar treatments or is the seed treatment that came on the seed good enough, and if they should drain the field.  Right now, we should focus on adult control.  It will take a few weeks to determine what level of larvae are present in the field, and whether draining is needed.

Almost all of the rice planted in Arkansas is either treated with CruiserMaxx Rice or NipsIt Inside seed treatment, which are excellent on grape colaspis.  However, efficacy of these products on rice water weevil decreases 28-35 days after planting in the best conditions.  These seed treatments are highly water soluble, and with the feet of rain a lot of this rice has experienced this spring, it’s likely that these seed treatment residuals have been further reduced.  Although rice water weevil pressure is higher for later planted rice, these plantings typically experience rapid growth allowing us to flood within 3 weeks of planting.  In these situations, we still get sufficient control of rice water weevil with NipsIt or CruiserMaxx.  If rice has been treated with Dermacor or Fortenza, it will still have protection from rice water weevil at least 60 days after planting.  Also, it is important to note that NipsIt and Cruiser within the 28-35 days after planting will reduce scarring observed.  However, Dermacor and Fortenza will not affect scarring but will maintain better control of larvae.

For rice that is going to flood past the 28-35 day window with CruiserMaxx Rice or NipsIt, a foliar application of a pyrethroid like Lambda-cy or Mustang Max might be called for.  However, Dermacor and Fortenza will NOT need a foliar application.  While scarring from adult weevil feeding is usually superficial and doesn’t cause yield loss, this is a sign that adults are present and active in the field.  Scarring can be used to determine if a foliar application is warranted.  In general, an application is warranted if over 50% of new leaves have scarring present and adults are present.  Using a sweepnet is a good way to determine if adults are still present.

Timing is critical on foliar applications for rice water weevil.  Applications must be made within 5-7 days of permanent flood establishment, as long as adults are present.  If it is later than that, our studies indicate you may as well keep the insecticide in the jug.  We have done a lot of work comparing preflood applications versus postflood for rice water weevil control, and in general preflood has done better.  There is a major caveat with how we do this work versus the real world.  This has to do with the time to flood establishment.  Generally, our test is flooded to a 4-inch depth within 12-24 hours after application.  This is not realistic on any grower field.  If we are using Lambda-Cy we only have about 24 hours of residual.  If Lambda-Cy is applied to soil and then a flood is applied it can trap the insecticide on the soil.  If it takes 7-10 days to get a field covered in water we have essentially wasted a $1 an acre.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Fig. 5.  Rice water weevil adult feeding on rice.

Fig. 6.  Leaf scarring from rice water weevil adult feeding.

Market Update

Scott Stiles

As a reminder, USDA’s next WASDE is coming up Monday, May 12^th.  It will include the first new crop (2025/26) U.S. and World supply/demand estimates.  The report will be released at 11:00 a.m. Central Time and can be found at this link:  May 2025 WASDE Report

In USDA’s first official release of their 2025/26 U.S. balance sheets, the production estimate typically includes the March Prospective Plantings acreage and their trend-yield assumption reflected at the Ag Outlook Forum in February.  In recent years, USDA will only deviate from trend yields in years with notable planting delays.

Accordingly, USDA is expected to use the U.S. long-grain Prospective Plantings estimate of 2.240 million acres, which is actually 340,000 acres higher than their February assumption of 1.9 million.  With USDA’s February trend yield of 7600 pounds (168.9 bu.), we would expect their 2025/26 production estimate to be around 170.2 million cwt. vs their February Ag Outlook Forum assumption of 141.8 million cwt.  Many in the rice industry would agree, USDA’s February production assumptions were logical and seem confirmed today given the continued pressure on rice prices, weather challenges in April and the recent surge in nitrogen prices which may be a consideration on the remaining acres to be planted.

Table 1.  USDA-NASS rice planted acres 2024 versus projected 2025.

source: USDA NASS, March 31, 2025.

Crop Progress:

In Monday’s Crop Progress, NASS reported U.S. rice planting was 73% complete as of May 4^th and ahead of the 5-year average of 64 percent.  Planting progress in all key rice states continues to stay ahead of the 5-year average.

Table 2.  USDA-NASS U.S. rice planting progress, May 4, 2025.

Markets are generally quiet ahead of a major USDA report as traders try to assess the likely outcomes.  Otherwise, Thursday’s Export Sales report included 15,000 tons of old crop rough rice sales to Honduras (5,000) and Mexico (10,000) for the week ending May 1.  Long-grain milled rice sales totaled 10,326 tons with 9,892 going to Haiti, which continues to be the top milled rice buyer in the 24/25 marketing year.

The September contract (shown below) has been pressured by the large old crop stocks that will be carried into the new crop year.  The surprisingly small reduction in March 31 long-grain acreage was a disappointment to the rice market too.  Possible downward revisions to acres may be revealed in the June 30 Acreage report.

Fig. 7.  CME September 2025 Rice Futures, Daily Chart.

DD50 Rice Management Program is Live

The DD50 Rice Management Program is live and ready for fields to be enrolled for the 2025 season.  All log-in and producer information has been retained from the 2024 season, so if you used the program last year you can log in just as you did last year.  Log in and enroll fields here:  https://dd50.uada.edu.

Use the Arkansas Rice Advisor Internet App!

The Arkansas Rice Advisor site https://riceadvisor.uada.edu functions like an app on your mobile device.  There you can readily access the DD50 program, rice seeding rate calculator, drill calibration, fertilizer and N rate calculators, publications, and more.

Additional Information

Arkansas Rice Updates are published periodically to provide timely information and recommendations for rice production in Arkansas.  If you would like to be added to this email list, please send your request to rice@uada.edu.

This information will also be posted to the Arkansas Row Crops blog (http://www.arkansas-crops.com/) where additional information from Extension specialists can be found.

More information on rice production, including access to all publications and reports, can be found at http://www.uaex.uada.edu/rice.

Acknowledgements

We sincerely appreciate the support for this publication provided by the rice farmers of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board.

The authors greatly appreciate the feedback and contributions of all growers, county agents, consultants, and rice industry stakeholders.