TILLAR, ARKANSAS (RFD News) — Planting season is underway in Arkansas, but for some farmers, this growing season is bringing tough decisions.
Seth Tucker of Tucker Farms, a first-generation Arkansas farmer, says rising input costs are forcing changes to his operation, including stepping away from rice this season. He says higher fuel and fertilizer prices, along with current market conditions, made it difficult to justify planting the crop.
“You have to be profitable,” Tucker said. “Not only the people that work for us depend on us — if we’re not profitable, we’re not buying equipment, and we’re not spending money in our communities — that’s what’s causing these communities to dry up. There are less and less farmers.”
Tucker says input costs have also impacted other crops, leading them to scale back corn production. He adds that soybean prices are currently below break-even levels based on budgeted costs. He says better marketing opportunities are needed as producers continue to navigate rising costs and tight margins.
Corn planting in Arkansas is still in its early stages, while rice, one of the state’s key crops, is about 25 percent planted according to the latest crop progress report.
With core input inflation still hovering high, growers and retailers should plan pricing and promotions with tighter margins in mind — target early sales, leverage bundle deals, and secure logistics ahead of peak Halloween demand.
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