Arkansas is the leading rice (Oryza sativa, L.) producing state in the U.S., representing 46.5% of the total U.S. production and 46.8% of the total land area planted to rice. Rice cultural practices vary across the state and across the U.S. However, due to changing political, environmental, and economic times, these practices are dynamic. This survey was initiated in 2002 to monitor how the changing times reflect the changes in the way Arkansas rice producers approach their livelihood. The survey was conducted by polling Extension agents in each of the rice-producing counties in Arkansas. Questions included topics such as tillage practices, irrigation sources and methods, seeding methods, and precision leveling. Information from the University of Arkansas Rice DD50 Program was included to summarize variety acreage distribution across Arkansas. Other data was obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Based on the survey, approximately 61% of the rice produced in Arkansas was planted using conventional tillage methods in 2004. The most common conservation tillage system utilized by Arkansas rice farmers is stale seedbed planting following fall tillage, representing approximately one fourth of the state's rice acreage. True no-till rice production is not common but is done in a few select regions of the state, representing about 10% of the rice acreage in Arkansas. During the past 20 years, the state average yields in Arkansas have increased approximately 2575 kg ha-1. This increase can be attributed to improved varieties and improved management, including such things as better herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, improved water management through precision leveling and multiple inlet poly-pipe irrigation, improved fertilizer efficiency, and increased understanding of other practices such as seeding dates and tillage practices.