JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas rice harvest has begun in many parts of the state, some two to three weeks earlier than usual, and so far the crop appears to be of good quality with acceptable yields. In Craighead County, Lake City farmer Mike Hook said he began cutting rice last week and is getting 185-200 bushels an acre, green. Dry weight will be less. Hook said his crop wouldn't be a bin-buster, but he's satisfied. The 2010 rice crop was planted earlier and is maturing faster than normal.

 But Bill Reed, vice president for corporate communications and public affairs for Riceland Foods at Stuttgart, said it's only the beginning of harvest so it's really too early to generalize about the crop.