Post-drought Arkansas agriculture industry still seeing long term effect

ROSE BUD, Ark. – Rain in the forecast is a "moo"ve in the right direction for cattle farmers.

According to Henry Caldwell with Union Rock Cattle Company in Rose Bud, the late October and early November rain prevented some of the wheat his cows will graze from drying out and dying.

"It's almost too late for it to grow much, but it will keep it alive for when it is warm enough," Caldwell explained.

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On other farms, the timing of the rain is not a blessing but a potential problem according to Johnathan Kubesch, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture extension forest specialist.

"For our row crop guys, it's rough because it makes their harvest so much more difficult, so often when we are giving crop damage reports after a storm, the grass guys are saying keep the spigot on. The row crop guys have a little bit different opinion," Kubesch stated.

In July and September, rain and wind from Hurricanes Beryl and Francine threatened harvests.

Caldwell said Beryl produced an additional hay crop in Arkansas, and without it, they would have half of the hay currently available. It will be needed because the drought already caused a switch from grazing which normally waits until December.

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Once cooler temperatures settle in, the growth cycle will reset, and the focus will shift toward growth, hoping Arkansas can go next year without any worry of drought.

"A farmer, a cattleman, they always plan on next year being better, but don't always (be) the case," Caldwell said.

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said since the 1970s, the rule of thumb has been droughts are expected to happen three out of every 10 years.

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According to Drought.gov , 2024 is the fourth year in a row Arkansas has experienced some form of drought.