Rice farmers across much of Arkansas are breathing a little easier now that Ida has turned east.

Jarrod Hardke is an extension rice educator for the University of Arkansas. “We have escaped the majority of rainfall, and there may be a little more fall in the far eastern, southeastern portions of the state,” he says.  “The amounts now look far lower than what they were forecasted to be just a couple of days ago.” He tells Brownfield the tropical storm season threatens the state’s rice crop.

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