What started with a single acre of rice in 1902 has grown to more than 1 million acres in 2017.

On those one million-plus acres, Arkansas produces about half the nation's rice, making the Natural State the top grower in the U.S.

Today, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, through its Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, is working with the Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board and USA Rice in an effort dedicated to working to keep the rice industry moving ahead -- at peak performance. 

Here's a sampling of how the Division of Agriculture supports the rice industry in Arkansas and beyond:

• Siebenmorgen honored with Distinguished Service Award: Siebenmorgen’s research and outreach program has focused on rice process engineering. The scope of his work ranges from pre-harvest property characterization, through drying, storage, milling, and end-use quality evaluation.

• Arkansas researchers honored for innovation in rice production: Researchers are evaluating an irrigation method of alternating wetting and drying of the rice, which can result in up to 30 percent less water use and 50 to 90 percent less methane production, all without impacting rice yields.

• 2018 Rice Farming for Profit Helping Arkansas growers get the most from their efforts.
  

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Breeding program 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's rice breeding and research programs delivers improved varieties with complete crop management packages that give growers a profitable rice production system. 

Watch our Youtube video

Rice Research and Extension Center

A facility dedicated to variety improvement, as well as finding improved production practices for growers.

Explore the Rice Research Center

Foundation Seed Facility

The primary goal of AFS is to make seed of newly released and proven varieties available as quickly as possible.

Learn more about the seed program

History of rice in Arkansas

More than a century of work has gone into building Arkansas' rice industry. 

Discover the history