Harvest rolls on toward completion, despite short weather delays
Nov. 4, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Soybean, cotton nearing harvest completion
- Rain may temporarily halt harvest progress
(399 words)
JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas soybean and a good-looking cotton harvest are in the homestretch, with peanut not far behind, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
NASS, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reported that the state’s soybean harvest was 94 percent complete. Cotton was close at 92 percent while peanuts were at 78 percent harvested.
In 2026, Arkansas producers increased soybean acres by 33 percent to 3.45 million. Cotton acres increased about 8 percent to 560,000. However, peanut acres fell this year by 17 percentto 40,000 planted acres.
“Producers have been taking large chunks out of both cotton and peanuts week to week,” said Zachary Treadway, extension cotton and peanut agronomist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
“I do believe that will end, at least temporarily, this week with the rainfall last Saturday,” he said on Tuesday. “We look fairly dry for the 10 days after today, so that should allow us to finish up.”
Scott Stiles, extension economist for UADA, said “yield reports on cotton have been mostly favorable. The dry fall has provided not only a fast, efficient harvest, but good grades.
“As of Nov. 2, USDA has classed 607,554 bales from 23 Arkansas gins,” he said. “Thus far, the 2026 crop has been of premium quality in regard to color, fiber length and other characteristics.”
With expected 2026 production of 1.6 million bales, Arkansas is the third largest cotton producer in the U.S., Stiles said.
“The state's cotton yield was also expected to be a record 1,384 pounds,” he said. “The average peanut yield was projected to be 4,700 pounds, down from 5,000 pounds last year.”
Jeremy Ross, extension soybean agronomist for UADA said, “Most of the 2026 soybean crop is out of the field. What is remaining will be finished up in the next two weeks.”
Last month, NASS estimated Arkansas' soybean yield to be a record 59 bushels per acre; however, Ross indicated that the prolonged drought may mean a lower result.
Stiles said that “winter wheat planting progress for Arkansas was 54 percent complete versus the 59 percent five-year average.”
The moisture will be welcome to those planting winter wheat.
Last week, Extension Wheat and Feed Grains Agronomist Jason Kelley said growers are either delaying planting until rainfall occurs or are ‘dusting in’ their wheat crop — that is, planting into dry soil with the hope that rainfall occurs soon.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About UADA
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, UADA conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
UADA is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three university campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, UADA offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
nkordsme@uada.edu