After idling half the state’s normal rice acreage last year due to water shortages, farmers of the grain are back in full force with harvest underway in the Sacramento Valley. They’re off to a later start because of planting delays in the spring, which has pushed harvest into the rainy season. Substantial downpours this time of year could cause muddy fields, further delays and rice plants to fall over, dramatically reducing yields and quality. With days getting shorter and cooler, the race is on to get the crop off and into mills.

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