CROSS COUNTY — The planting season has begun in Cross County.
Cross County Extension Agent – Staff Chair Jenna Martin said the mostly dry conditions have given producers a jumpstart on the spring planting season.
“Some people probably started a week or two ago at least,” Martin said. “There’s already been some people that have already planted. They’ve got their levees pulled. … I saw several people trying to beat the rain. People have been either getting rice going. Corn, there’s been some corn in the ground. Mostly soybeans as well. I wouldn’t say a bunch, but there’s been quite a few.”
Martin said local rice acreage is expected to increase this year, matching the trend seen statewide.
“Acreage is going to be up. I know it’s up across the state,” she said. “I know there have been some people that have either just kept with their same rotation in rice, or they’re just increasing their rice acres a little bit more or just deciding to go with rice just because of corn prices and how they’ve been. They have not been faring very well lately so a lot of people have been finding other alternatives. So if they have ground that’s more suitable for rice, that’s what they’re going to plant regardless.”
For questions, contact the Cross County Extension Office at 870-238-5745.
