Rice Farming March 2021

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PROFITABLE PRODUCTION STRATEGIES

Study looks at water savings of automated irrigation Domestic rice markets continue to shine

A change of mindset Treat weeds in row rice like any other row crop

MARCH 2021

Disease control your rice has never seen.

Whether your rice fields are facing sheath blight, kernel smut, panicle blast or another tough disease, Amistar® Top fungicide is here to step up your control. It’s formulated with azoxystrobin plus the latest innovative active ingredient called difenoconazole. Applied together, they give you broad-spectrum disease protection that’s never been available for rice crops before. To learn how it helps your resistance management efforts, see your local Syngenta retailer or visit SyngentaUS.com/AmistarTop

©2020 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Amistar®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

MW 0BEG02256-Rice-AG78 12/20

March 2018 2021

COLUMNS

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Vol. 52, 55, No. 4

COVER STORY

4 From the Editor

Rice's Still flying longafter history 100bucks years 'what's hot in food' trends

6 USA Rice Update 6 Columnto USAGuest Rice continues

support food aid Rice andrice-based sustainability

8 D EUSA P A RRice T M Update ENTS

Rice industry sets priorities 18 Industry News for the next Farm Bill Rice business scene

D EPARTMENTS 20 Specialists Speaking We only hope recent cold 19 can Industry News reduced overwintering Rice business scene pests

20 Specialist Speaking

ON THE COVER: Mississippi State Early herbicide mistakes can University graduate student Jay Seale plague all season long stands in ayou research plot of row rice where no herbicides were used to control Palmer pigweed.

ON THE Armyworms once Photo byCOVER: Vicky Boyd again plagued California rice growers in 2017.

Photo by Luis Espino, University of California Cooperative Extension

F A T U R Eweed S ForE effective control, treat row rice as you would any other row crop.

9 yin and yang F E AThe TURES 8

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to pinpoint disease resistance gene The goal is to characterize the resistance

New toolsbrown in the tool box to narrow leaf spot.

Several new crop-protection products are available in time for this year’s rice Domestic rice markets continue season.

17

18

Farm & Gin Show recap

Stay up-to-date with the latest from Rice Farming.

Follow us on Twitter: @RiceFarming

Shorter supplies have shorn up the market, but increased 2018 planting Siri, turn off pump projections cloud long-term outlook.

Research examines potential water savings of automated and remote irrigationaid systems.

Floods expansion Giant invasive snail threatens the rice-crawfish rotation in southwest LSU AgCenter researcher aims Louisiana.

to shine as exports lag Lower acreage and production coupled The smell of success with the current strong demand should

GET CONNECTED www.facebook.com/ ricefarming1

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The California rice industry prepares for what may become annual armyworm infestations.

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Here to stay?

A change of mindset

University Arkansas breeding continue toofprovide support for rice program releases new jasmine-type prices in the short term. long grain.

Tight world rice supplies mean any disruption could push markets higher.

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3

From The

Editor

Still flying after 100 years Crop dusting had its roots in 1921 when Lt. John A. Macready piloted a modified Curtis JN-6 Super Jenny while passenger Etienne Dormoy dispensed lead arsenate from a crude metal hand-cranked hopper bolted to the plane’s fuselage. C.R. Nellie, an Ohio Department of Agriculture entomologist, had come up with the idea for crop dusting to control sphinx moth larvae in catalpa trees.

Little did the skeptics at the time realize but aerial application would only grow in importance and a century later is vital to farmers and foresters. In no other crop is it more crucial than in rice, where ag pilots do everything from flyVicky Boyd ing seed into water-seeded systems to applying Editor crop protection materials and harvest aids to planting subsequent cover crops by air.

“Nearly any industry that has survived for 100 years has had to evolve, and we’ve had to do a better job,” said Mark Kimmel, owner of Dixie Dusters near Itta Bena, Mississippi, and president of the National Agricultural Aviation Association. “We’re professional pilots, and we have training that we have to go through every year, educational updates, continuing education units. And we’ve invested in our planes with GPS for precision ag.”

Of all the technological advances in ag aviation, Kimmel said GPS has been one of the most impactful. He cut his teeth in the business as a flagger for his father, who also was an ag pilot. Moving flagging crews from field to field slowed down application, and flagging could be less than accurate.

Once he earned his pilot’s wings, Kimmel recalled having to manually plot out passes across a field to determine how much product to load. He didn’t want to run out in the middle of a pass.

As a result, pilots didn’t necessarily carry full loads and spent more time and fuel ferrying product.

“When they came out with GPS for our airplanes, we thought it was too expensive,” he said. “Then we did it, and it was just amazing how much more productive we were. It was like wow! Look at this.”

With GPS, pilots can carry full loads. If they run out in the middle of a pass, they can pick up exactly where they left off.

A GPS light bar mounted on the top of the airplane hood allows pilots to line up each pass, minimizing skips and overlaps. A laser altimeter tells them if they’re at the optimal application height of 15 to 18 feet above the plant canopy. Between GPS and precision application technology, pilots also are able to provide variable-rate application to growers.

What technology is in store for the next century of agricultural aviation? In the not too distant future, Kimmel said pilots will have in-cab weather stations that provide real-time information, such as wind speed and direction, temperature and relative humidity. If conditions change midway through an application, the pilot will be able to quickly make corrections.

Vicky

RiceFaRming EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION Editor Vicky Boyd 209-505-3612 vlboyd@onegrower.com Copy Editor Amanda Huber ahuber@onegrower.com Art Director Ashley Kumpe akumpe@onegrower.com

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RICE FARMING (ISSN 0194-0929) is published monthly January through May, and December, by One Grower Publishing LLC, 875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305, Collierville, TN 38017. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tennesee, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to OMEDA COMMUNICATIONS, CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 1388, NORTHBROOK, IL 60065-1388. Annual subscriptions are $25.00.

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12/17/20 10:32 AM

USA Rice

Update

USA Rice continues to support worldwide rice-based food aid

I

COURTESY USA RICE

f there’s any wisdom we can glean from the unprecedented events of the past year, it’s how important it is to support each other and our communities and come together during tough times.

By Betsy Ward The U.S. rice industry takes that lesson to President and CEO heart, both in our own backyards and beyond USA Rice our borders.

International food aid was one of our greatest cumulative achievements in 2020.

U.S.-grown milled and fortified rice supported the fight against hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition — all growing problems worldwide — at a level not seen for the past 10 years. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains, logistics and developing economies, the need for rice in international food aid will only become greater.

The number of countries receiving rice through U.S. food aid programs continues to diversify and increase every year, with approximately 120,000 metric tons of U.S.-grown rice distributed to 27 countries. Five of those are first timers. USA Rice has long advocated for more widespread use of fortified rice in international food aid, and our efforts have paid off.

Last year, fortified rice accounted for approximately 44,000 metric tons —35% of all rice in U.S. food A cooking demonstration and free samaid, more than ever before. 2021 ples showcased how fortified rice is looks to be another strong year for practically indiscernible from regular rice in food aid, and the increased milled rice in terms of taste and texture. use of fortified rice is a trend that shows no signs of abating.

3 aid programs This achievement would not have been possible without the U.S. rice industry’s partnership with three government food aid programs. McGovern-Dole Food for Education, the USDA’s global school feeding program, was the primary purchaser of fortified rice last year — all nine Food for Education projects awarded in 2020 included U.S. rice,

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and eight of those included fortified rice. The U.S. Agency for International Development as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food for Progress have also increased the use of rice in their programs.

Last year, 33,720 metric tons of U.S. rice was delivered to Burkina Faso and another 17,000 metric tons to Guinea, West Africa,

by Food for Progress, and we expect similar success with the completion of that program in 2021. Although the pandemic has certainly posed a daunting challenge for international food aid, these crucial agencies make sure U.S. rice gets where it’s so desperately needed.

Publicizing rice-based food aid In fall 2020, USA Rice hosted a webinar titled “Fortified Rice in the COVID-19 Era,” bringing together panelists from U.S. food assistance agencies to discuss the benefits of fortified rice in a pandemic-stricken world.

In attendance were food aid representatives, government officials and staff from volunteer organizations. A cooking demonstration and free samples showcased how fortified rice is practically indiscernible from regular milled rice in terms of taste and texture. It also remains nutritionally rich despite rinsing or soaking, which is common practice in many countries that receive food aid.

“The Rice Stuff” podcast did a deep dive on all three of the major U.S. food aid programs and the challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic. In episode 4, “Food Aid 101,” USA Rice’s food aid consultant Rebecca Bratter explained the ins and outs of how U.S. rice helped address the unprecedented number of current humanitarian crises worldwide. Give it a listen if you want to understand these programs better and get an insider’s perspective.

Rice is the universal language, a staple in almost every regional cuisine, and that’s why it’s so important that the U.S. rice industry provides a safe, nutritious and familiar product to countries worldwide that need it now more than ever. I’m proud to see our crop alleviate famine, malnutrition and food insecurity, and feed the world year after year.

RICEFARMING.COM

Early Post Emergence Timing Is Essential Scott Gifford Gifford Crop Consulting Jonesboro, Arkansas

Because my family farmed, I have been around agriculture my entire life. In 2001, I started Gifford Crop Consulting, and my son, Miles, will join the business fulltime in May after graduating from Arkansas State University. My wife, Rachel, understands our business and is very supportive. My daughter, Meg, helps with the paperwork and pitches in during the busy season to keep all the trucks running smoothly. We are a rice consulting family.

Last year, most of my growers got planted in a timely manner. Those who got caught by rain planted later than is ideal.

When you plant rice later than mid-May, you’re going to have more weed pressure. The early planted rice turned out above average, and the later crop was average.

I anticipate baryardgrass being our No. 1 grass problem in 2021, so we will use more residual herbicides than we have in the past. The first residual goes out behind the planter to try to keep the grass from coming up. However, because of the pressure in fields that have been in rice a long time, we will make an early post emergence application of Clincher® SF herbicide tankmixed with a residual, such as Prowl or Command, when the grass — including propanil-resistant grass — is at the 1- to 2-leaf stage.

Clincher SF does a good job on smaller grass when you get it out early on moist ground, and the residual keeps more grass from emerging. The key is to kill the grass that is out there in the field early. If you get behind with barnyardgrass, you are not going to catch up.

Production Practice Considerations In fields with sedge, we apply Loyant® herbicide pre-flood when rice is at the 3- to 5-leaf stage. No product gives you 100% control, but Loyant was pretty close on the sedges. Where row rice acres continue to rise, we are applying a lot more Loyant for pigweed control. We also use it in levee rice or zero-grade rice.

But we are definitely controlling sedges and pigweed in row rice with Loyant where we don’t have water as a control measure.

In our levee rice, we use RebelEX® herbicide — a pre-mix of Clincher SF and Grasp® SC herbicides — pre-flood, especially in fields with sprangletop and barnyardgrass. The Grasp component also picks up some aquatic weeds. To get the best results from RebelEX in water-seeded rice, it’s important to let the rice peg down and get established before making an application.

Scott Gifford (right) and son Miles operate Gifford Crop Consulting.

• Bachelor’s degree in general agriculture, Arkansas State University.

• Consults on rice, cotton, soybeans, wheat, milo and corn.

• Licensed crop consultant. Has consulted for 24 years.

• Member, Arkansas Agricultural Consultants Association; Ducks Unlimited; ASU Alumni Association; Arkansas Officials Association; First Baptist Church, Manila.

• Wife, Rachel. Son, Miles, 20. Daughter, Meg, 18.

• Arkansas high school basketball official and NCAA women’s basketball official. Runs MAG Guide Service with son Miles.

Enjoys hunting and fishing.

Recap: Early Post Emergence Applications

t

1. I anticipate baryardgrass being our No. 1 grass problem in 2021, so we will use more residual herbicides than we have in the past.

2. Because of pressure in fields that have been in rice a long time, we will make an early post emergence application of Clincher® SF herbicide tankmixed with a residual, such as Prowl or Command, when grass — including propanil-resistant grass — is at 1- to 2-leaf stage.

3. In fields with sedge, we apply Loyant® herbicide preflood when rice is at the 3- to 5-leaf stage. We are definitely controlling sedges and pigweed in row rice with Loyant.

4. In levee rice, we use RebelEX® herbicide pre-flood, especially in fields with sprangletop and barnyardgrass.

The Grasp® SC component also picks up aquatic weeds.

Sponsored by

™® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Clincher® SF, Grasp® SC, Loyant® and RebelEX® are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions. © 2021 Corteva.

Siri, turn off pump Research examines potential water savings of automated and remote irrigation systems.

By Vicky Boyd Editor

N

Simple automation Gholson is using a simple automation system from PrecisionKing of Yazoo City, Mississippi, consisting of ultra-sonic water level sensors, actuated valves to shift water from one field to another and a pump controller. If the pump just serves a single field, the valves aren’t needed. The fields in the trial were irrigated using side-inlet irrigation and alternate wetting and drying, or AWD. Based on previous small-plot research conducted at MSU’s Delta Research and Extension Center, Gholson said growers using side-inlet irrigation and AWD can let the water drop to about 4 inches below ground level – or minux 4 — before reflooding without losing significant yield. In those trials, average water use was reduced by 39% compared to a conventional flood-irrigated field.

“Can we even increase that further by automating it?” he said.

“I think you could save an additional amount of water and make management decisions a lot easier.”

Farmers may have scattered fields with some several miles from home, the office or shop. Driving to each field to turn the water off and on or to check water levels is time consuming, and growers or irrigators may hesitate to venture out in the middle of the night to turn off wells when a 4-inch flood is reached. Instead, they may wait until the following morning.

But the automated system will turn off wells when the trigger is reached, eliminating additional hours of water use. Users also can check water levels and well status from their smartphones or computers without having to drive to each field, saving time and fuel. In addition, users are able to bypass the automation settings if, for example, they see a large rainstorm coming and want to shut off the well beforehand to prevent water from spilling over the levees.

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COURTESY MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

owadays, computer and smartphone technology allows users to monitor home security, adjust thermostats, and automatically turn on and off lights and appliances while they’re away.

Drew Gholson, a Mississippi State University Extension irrigation specialist, is conducting farm-scale research trials to determine whether growers potentially can save water by using similar technology to automate well operations. The system under evaluation also allows users to remotely monitor water levels in fields and, if needed, turn wells on or off from a smartphone or computer.

“Our goal was not to let one drop of water go over the levee gate,” he said about the first year of trials. “From a university standpoint, we’re just evaluating these technologies to see if we can not only save water and money but also are these something that can help farmers make decisions and save time doing that.”

A single ultra-sonic sensor (not pictured) in the field measures water levels in a pani pipe sunk in the soil.

After the first year For his trials, Gholson set the top flood depth at 4 inches and the trigger to reflood at minus 3. The actual trigger points can be entered based on user goals. A single ultra-sonic sensor in the field measures water levels in a pani pipe sunk in the soil. The sensor communicates via telemetry with the pump controller to turn on or turn off based on water levels in the pipe. If the well serves two fields, a valve actuator will open or close to divert water based on the sensor communication. All of the wells in the trials were electric for ease of turning them on and off.

One of the challenges was positioning the single sensor to collect representative water-level readings from throughout the field, Gholson said. Initially, they placed it near the well inlet pipe. But they found it quickly reached the 4-inch trigger point and shut off the well prematurely even though much of the field still hadn’t been adequately flooded. This season, he said they plan to put the sensors farther away from the inlet pipe.

Another challenge is building faith that the system will work as designed. Gholson visited each site during the different functions to ensure the wells were turned on, shut down or the valves switched water to different fields. As with any new technology, he said building confidence comes with experience.

Farm tested During the 2020 season, Gholson had three sites comprising five fields and three wells in the trials. Each field with automation was paired with one the farmer irrigated as usual.

RICEFARMING.COM

DREW GHOLSON, MSU

Jim Whitaker and his brother, Sam, who farm near McGehee, Arkansas, have become big devotees of irrigation automation.

Not only are they expanding installation in their rice fields, but they’re also implementing it in cotton and corn.

The water savings is the most obvious benefit, but the technology also saves electricity and allows them to make more efficient use of their labor, said Jim Whitaker.

Their rice fields are zero grade, and they use alternate wetting and drying or AWD. As a result, they had reduced water use to 12 to 15 acre-inches of applied water per year even before the technology.

During the past six to seven years, the Whitakers have adopted automation as the systems have evolved. They started with PrecisionKing and still use the company’s systems for row crops. For rice, they’ve started using aQuarius Farm Controls, although Whitaker said both companies make good products.

They’ve also worked with Dr. Merle Anders, consultant, and Drs. Joe Massey and Michele Reba with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to quantify water savings and greenhouse gas reduction.

During the first year of adoption, Whitaker said he wanted to see if he could control irrigation using his phone. That evolved into automating risers serving multiple fields. Much like Gholson, Whitaker has installed a moisture sensor in each field and set thresholds for turning on and off the water.

With the technology, he’s been able to stretch the interval between irrigations to 10 to 14 days, depending on the weather, without affecting yield. At the end of the season, the Whitakers typically apply 20% less water using the automa-

A moisture sensor in the field communicates wirelessly with the controller to turn on or off the well based on moisture thresholds that were entered into the system. It can also be controlled and monitored using a smartphone, tablet or computer.

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

CARROLL SMITH

Arkansas brothers see real-world water savings with automation

Rice consultant Robb Dedman (center) works with brothers Jim (left) and Sam Whitaker on their irrigation automation. tion than manually turning on and off the wells.

“The first thing we figured out was we were able to save a lot of water because it was shutting the wells off in the middle of the night,” Whitaker said. “Normally by the time the guys get to the shop and we have a morning meeting, it might be 8 or 9, maybe even as late as 10, before the guys make it around to check those fields.”

He said they still have a ways to go to fully automate irrigation on their farm, with cost being one of the hurdles. But Whitaker credited the Natural Resource Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program for providing costshare funds to help with their efforts.

Austin Davis, who farms near Benoit, Mississippi, is a long-time MSU cooperator. He said he volunteered a 160-acre field for the project so he could see the automation first hand.

“It’s kind of in its infancy right now, and I don’t think it’s quite feasible from a cost standpoint for a lot of acreage,” he said. “I think that with the climate change thing being a big talking point, if this seems to be a more efficient way of doing things or as a water-savings tool and this is something that would be ‘heavily encouraged,’ at some point in my life it’s something I’d use.”

Although the results are preliminary, they are encouraging, Gholson said. Farmer-irrigated fields averaged 219 bushels per acre compared to 223 bushels per acre for the automated irrigation fields. The big difference was in applied water use, with the automated fields averaging only 18.8 acre-inches compared to the farmer-irrigated fields averaging 28.6 acre-inches.

He plans to repeat the trials this season and expand them to include additional sites to take in variability in soil, microclimates and farmer irrigation practices. Gholson said he also hoped to continue the project for a few more seasons to account for weather differences.

As part of the research, he said he plans to conduct an economic analysis to determine automated system costs, break-even points and potential payback.

Gholson’s trials are part of a much larger multi-state Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant titled “Innovative Technologies for Water Conservation in Flood Irrigation Systems.” The MSU project is the only one focused on rice. Other participating states are Oklahoma, Utah and California.

Gholson also received funding from the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board.

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LSU AgCenter researcher aims to pinpoint disease resistance gene in rice

By Bruce Schultz

A

“Our ultimate goal is to be able to combine multiple genes for a durable solution for the future.”

Richards said Famoso’s team identified the major resistance gene. With the grant, the exact location of the gene can be identified.

As an analogy, Richards said Famoso’s team identified the subdivision where the gene resides. This grant project aims to determine its exact address.

“Once we’ve identified the gene, we’ll be able to develop a perfect marker and understand how it functions,” he said.

The marker will enable breeders to incorporate the resistance gene in developing new varieties, Richards said.

His goal is to find the gene within three years.

The funding will pay for research supplies, lab expenses, field trials and the salaries of a postdoctoral researcher and a research associate.

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tapped Baisakh will use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology.

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OLIVIA MCCLURE/LSU AGCENTER

Louisiana State University AgCenter plant pathologist will use a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pinpoint the location of a gene in rice that could help farmers control a potentially devastating plant disease.

“Our goal is to characterize the resistance to narrow brown leaf spot at the genetic and functional level,” Jonathan Richards said.

Narrow brown leaf spot is also known as Cercospora.

Richards will work with AgCenter rice breeders Adam Famoso and Brijesh Angira as well as Niranjan Baisakh, AgCenter molecular biologist and geneticist.

LSU AgCenter plant pathologist Jonathan Richards in his lab where he is working to pinpoint the location of a rice gene that could help farmers control narrow brown leaf spot.

“We’re just using this as a tool to validate the function of the gene,” Richards said.

He also will look for additional genes that impart a lower but more durable level of resistance. When combined with the major resistance gene, the other ones will raise a plant’s defenses even higher, making it more difficult for a pathogen to overcome, Richards explained.

“Our ultimate goal is to be able to combine multiple genes for a durable solution for the future,” he said.

Richards said Cercospora historically has been an erratic disease. Some years, farmers have few problems with the disease — but when it becomes a problem, it can decrease yields by 40%.

“In recent years, there has been a higher prevalence in Louisiana and in neighboring states,” he said.

Famoso said the USDA research grant process is highly competitive, and only a small percentage of the applications are funded.

Richards’ work could also be useful to fight Cercospora in soybeans and other crops, Famoso said.

“There’s a lot more we can learn for the long term,” Famoso said.

Richards also is determining which rice varieties have resistance, and he is working to identify the different races of Cercospora present in Louisiana.

In addition, he is studying control of the disease with fungicides. He said one race has developed resistance to strobilurin fungicides. He also is working to determine if resistance to the propiconazole fungicides has developed.

Richards said he has collected 300 isolates of the disease, and that effort will continue to include sampling in north Louisiana. Richards said he also plans to study the disease in row rice.

Bruce Schultz is assistant communications specialist at the LSU AgCenter. He may be reached at BSchultz@agcenter.lsu.edu.

RICEFARMING.COM

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Domestic rice markets continue to shine as exports lag

By Kurt Guidry

Domestic use up, exports down While domestic rice use steadily improved through 2020, the same cannot be said for rice exports, which ended 2019 and started 2020 with great promise. Stronger-than-normal sales during that period provided firm price support coming off a smaller 2019 crop.

As we moved deeper into the 2020 calendar year, exports faced increased competition and COVID-related restrictions as well as slowing short-term purchasing by customers. Export sales at the start of the 2020-21 marketing year lagged the previous year’s pace despite some larger purchases from nontraditional customers.

The level and pace of those purchases have not been consistent enough to override reduced sales to some of the historically large and traditional customers. Through the first week in February, total rice exports are down about 10% from the previous year. The slower pace over the last half of 2020 has caused the USDA to reduce its estimate for total rice exports for the 2020-21 marketing year from its initial projection of 100 million cwt to 93 million cwt.

Demand outlook remains positive While still being behind last year’s pace, export sales have shown some signs of improvement over the past few weeks.

Along with expectations for reduced acreage and production in 2021, the short-term outlook for rice continues to look stable and helps build a solid foundation for the market heading into the 2021 crop year. On Feb. 19, the USDA released estimates for the supply and demand levels for the 2021-22 marketing year.

In those projections, the USDA pegged 2021 rice acres at 2.7 million acres, down roughly 300,000 acres from the previous year. Stronger prices for soybeans and corn are expected to produce acreage shifts in several rice-producing states.

News from Arkansas indicates acres in 2021 could be as much as 10% lower than 2020, which would account for about half of

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VICKY BOYD

A

s we head into planting season for the 2021 rice crop, the current cash rice market in Louisiana has remained supported in the $20 to $21 per-barrel range ($12.35 to $12.96 per hundredweight). A 500,000 acre increase in 2020 plantings resulted in a nearly 23% increase in total rice production. But tight stocks to start the marketing year, along with strong domestic demand, has firmed the market.

Domestic rice use has been the bright spot in 2020. Some of this better-than-expected domestic demand has been due to the COVID pandemic as consumers stockpiled staple food products and increased consumption of at-home meals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s initial estimate for total domestic rice use for the 2020-21 marketing year was 137.5 million cwt in May 2020.

By December 2020, the USDA had increased its projection to 145.5 million cwt and in its January 2021 report, increased it yet again to a record 160 million cwt.

Domestic rice use continued to exceed expectations as consumers stockpiled food during the COVID pandemic and ate more meals at home.

USDA’s reduction in total rice acres. Smaller shifts are also expected for other rice-producing states and could be larger if prices for competing crops continue to improve. While there is still some uncertainty where rice acres will end up in 2021, it seems probable that acres and production will be lower.

Short-term price support Reduced acreage and production coupled with the current strong demand should continue to provide support for rice prices in the short term. The question becomes whether demand can continue this way over the next year. The USDA expects a slowdown of domestic use and has reduced overall expectations by 9 million cwt.

Even with this reduction, domestic use is still projected at historically high levels. For exports, the USDA projects a 2 million cwt reduction for the 2021-22 marketing year as uncertainty and competition in the world market continues. While demand is expected to be lower, those reductions are offset by lower supplies, leaving ending stocks mostly unchanged.

With stable ending stocks, it is logical to project prices to also remain fairly stable in the $20 to $21 per-barrel range ($12.35 to $12.96 cwt) for the 2021 crop year. New-crop futures prices are currently trading in that range at $12.80 per cwt, which helps to reinforce the projection for stable prices.

Given current market conditions and projections, it appears that downside risk for the market is limited with some upside potential on a market shock. While not as tight as this time last year, the relatively current positive stock situation should create some additional sensitivity in the market. This could provide some limited price movement on a positive shock to the market — such as lower-than-expected acres and production or higher-than-expected export demand.

Dr. Kurt Guidry is Southwest Region director and Extension economist with the Louisiana State University AgCenter in Crowley.

He may be reached at KMGuidry@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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VICKY BOYD

Mississippi State University graduate student Jay Seale stands in a research plot of row rice where no herbicides were used to control Palmer pigweed.

A change of mindset For effective weed control, treat row rice as you would any other row crop.

By Vicky Boyd Editor

T

o successfully control weeds in furrow-irrigated rice — ­ also known as row rice — growers will need to change from treating it like a flooded crop to managing it like they would any other row crop.

That means overlapping residual herbicides and rotating effective modes of action, said Jay Seale, a Mississippi State University doctoral student conducting row-rice weed control studies at the Delta Research and Extension Center near Stoneville. It also will likely mean making one more residual herbicide application during the season compared to conventional flood-irrigated rice.

“Based on our observations, if you’re going to grow row rice, you’re going to have to treat it like a row crop and have a residual in with every (herbicide) application,” said Seale, who is working under academic advisor and Mississippi State University weed scientist Jason Bond.

University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University AgCen-

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ter researchers have also had trials looking at weed control of row rice and have drawn similar conclusions.

A focus on top 2 troublesome weeds For the past two years, Seale has been conducting small-plot research trials on programs to control barnyardgrass and Palmer amaranth, the two most problematic weeds in row rice. He also is comparing herbicide programs targeting those two weeds in Clearfield and non-Clearfield conventional rice systems. He plans to repeat the field trials again this season.

As part of his dissertation, Seale said he also will conduct an economic analysis of the different herbicide treatments.

In a typical row-rice field, growers board up the bottom of the field, catching and backing up irrigation water flowing down the furrows. As a result, the field is naturally divided into three wetting zones. The bottom zone retains a permanent flood and RICEFARMING.COM

PHOTOS BY TOMMY BUTTS, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Barnyardgrass is the No. 1 weedy pest of rice, whether it’s under a continuous flood or grown with furrow irrigation.

With a flood to suppress Palmer pigweed germination, the weed can take over a row-rice field.

is comparable to a conventional flooded field. The middle zone stays somewhat soupy, much like fields irrigated using alternate wetting and drying. And the top zone, which is wetted with the irrigation but dries out completely between sets, is where Seale focused his research.

“Based on the years of research in flooded rice, we know how to control those weeds in a flooded situation,” he said. “The issue is in the top zone that has flushes of weeds that come up. We know if we can manage those in the top zone, we know we can manage them in the in-between zone that’s flooded.”

days after rice emergence, the first sequential treatment of Stam + Command 14 days after the initial treatment and the second sequential treatment of Newpath + Prowl applied 14 days after the first sequential treatment were required to control barnyardgrass.

Initial treatments delayed until 28 or 35 days after rice emergence resulted in less than 88% barnyardgrass control following both sequential treatments.

For the Palmer amaranth timings study, an initial treatment of RiceBeaux made seven or 14 days after rice emergence provided more than 95% control 14 days after application. RiceBeaux applied 21, 28 or 35 days after rice emergence required the first sequential treatment of Loyant 14 days later followed by the second sequential treatment of Aim + Grandstand R 14 days after the first sequential.

When the initial RiceBeaux treatment was delayed until 21 days after rice emergence, control was about 93% following both sequential treatments. However, delaying the initial RiceBeaux treatment until 28 or 35 days after rice emergence resulted in less than 60% Palmer amaranth control following both sequential treatments.

Earlier initial herbicide treatments controlled more barnyardgrass and Palmer amaranth than delayed initial treatments.

“Basically, the longer you wait before you apply your initial application (first post), the more sequential applications you will need to apply to control these weeds,” Seale said.

These two timing studies did not receive a pre application and were simply focused on post treatments. His research is being supported by the Mississippi Rice Promotion Board.

Different clomazone timings All plots received a preplant application of clomazone, and all were planted to the variety CL-153. Seale’s work involved four studies — three that evaluated barnyardgrass control and one with Palmer amaranth control.

Of the three dealing with barnyardgrass, two focused on the post timing of clomazone in the form of RiceOne for non-Clearfield and Clearfield systems. Non-Clearfield treatments used RiceBeaux + Stam + Facet L in the first post and Regiment in the second post.

For the Clearfield study, Newpath or Newpath + Facet L were applied in the first or second post. In both studies, treatments were evaluated with and without RiceOne added to the first or second post application. Regardless of timing, Seale said including RiceOne in the first or second post application provided exceptional control of barnyardgrass throughout the season.

The remaining two studies focused on evaluating the initial herbicide application timing followed by two sequential applications to control barnyardgrass or Palmer amaranth.

The treatment timings were the same for both studies where the initial treatment was applied seven, 14, 21, 28 or 35 days after rice emergence followed by the first sequential 14 days later and then a second sequential 14 days after the first sequential.

For the barnyardgrass timing study, initial treatments of Newpath + Facet L applied seven days after rice emergence provided more than 95% barnyardgrass control 14 days after it was applied. When initial treatments were delayed until 14, 21, 28 or 35 TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

A Louisiana perspective LSU AgCenter weed scientist Eric Webster conducted trials at the AgCenter’s Northeast Research Center in St. Joseph in 2020 looking at different herbicide programs and timings, particularly for barnyardgrass control.

The trials were planted to Gemini 214 CL, a Clearfield hybrid.

All plots received Command applied at 12.5 ounces per acre as a preemerge right before planting.

This was followed at the one- to two-leaf rice stage with an MARCH 2021

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early post application that included a residual. Treatments were Newpath + a split rate of Command, Newpath + Prowl, Newpath + RiceOne (a premix of clomazone and Prowl), Newpath + Gambit and Clearpath (a premix of Newpath and quinclorac).

He then compared those treatments with and without a late post application of Newpath + Regiment two to three weeks later. The early post application provided about 80% control of barnyardgrass initially, but control dropped Eric over time. The late post application with RegWebster iment helped clean up the barnyardgrass while providing residual control from the Newpath.

“Without that late post, we’re seeing a drop in control of barnyardgrass control anywhere from 15% to 30% control,” Webster said during a recent virtual row-rice presentation. “What I really like is if you look at that late post Newpath + Regiment, Regiment has really good activity on large barnyardgrass late. And then with the Newpath, I’m getting some activity post-emerge plus my residual with Newpath.”

The program with a late post provided upwards of 85% barnyardgrass control, he said. Yields backed it up.

Webster’s take-home message: “I want to stress the need for overlaying residuals in an upland system. Every time you go across that field, have an herbicide in your tank that gives you residual activity, and use herbicide programs that take advantage of multiple modes of action.”

Plan for an extra herbicide application University of Arkansas Extension weed scientist Tommy Butts, along with weed science colleagues Tom Barber and Jason Norsworthy, have looked at herbicide programs for row rice that focus on barnyardgrass and Palmer amaranth.

These weeds rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, as the most

troublesome based on Arkansas rice grower surveys.

What the University of Arkansas researchers have found is growers of row rice will need three herbicide applications — and possibly four, depending on the year and the soil — to manage weeds so they don’t affect yields.

“With flooded rice, three applications are common, so we’re saying row rice is going to take an extra one,” Butts said.

Much like their counterparts elsewhere, the Tommy Arkansas weed scientists emphasize overlapButts ping residuals.

Butts recommended starting out with a tankmix of Command and Sharpen preplant, followed about 14 days later with a tankmix of Command + Facet or possibly Prowl + Bolero, depending on soil type. If the field is planted to a FullPage hybrid, then a possible tankmix would be Preface + Command.

In trials, the researchers found intervals between residuals were critical. By increasing the time between applications to 21 days from 14, residual control began to break down and escapes occurred.

With the third application, Butts said growers can start thinking about adding a post material to the residual, such as a Grandstand + propanil tankmix for Palmer amaranth control.

If rice flatsedge starts emerging, they could add Basagran. For yellow nutsedge, they may consider adding Permit or Gambit.

Loyant is also a great option for flatsedge and Palmer amaranth control. If weeds are less than 6 inches in height, 8 fluid ounces per acre should effectively control both species. Gambit or Loyant may also be good options for other weeds that are uncommon in flooded rice production, but become problematic in row rice such as sicklepod and groundcherry.

“The first two applications are fairly set in stone from a residual standpoint,” he said. “After that, the third and fourth are based on what’s emerging and what’s coming up.”

TOMMY BUTTS, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Much like weed control in other row crops, growers of furrow-irrigated or row rice should overlap residuals and rotate effective modes of action.

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GREG SIMPSON, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

3 inducted into Louisiana Ag Hall of Distinction

Cody Fincher, left, topped all entrants in the rice division of the More Crop Per Drop contest. He harvested 8.7 bushels per acre-inch of water.

‘Most Crop Per Drop’ contest challenges Arkansas producers Experimentation paid off for Arkansas producers who competed in the “Most Crop Per Drop” contest — in knowledge gained about irrigation management and in cash prizes for the top winners.

Contest winners were announced recently during the 34th annual Arkansas Water and Soil Education Conference, held virtually this year. The top winners in three categories — corn, rice and soybean — shared in more than $30,000 in cash and prizes.

In corn and soybean, the first-place winners received $6,000 each; second-place winners received $3,000; and third-place winners, $1,000. The first-place rice winner received a RiceTec hybrid seed credit worth more than $10,000.

Prizes were provided by RiceTec, the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board, and the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board.

“The competition focuses on maximizing yield by maximizing water use efficiency,” said Chris Henry, associate professor and water management en-

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gineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Rice Winners:  1st place — Cody Fincher, 8.7 bushels per inch, 240 bushels per acre (Mississippi County).  2nd place — Seth Tucker, 6.7 bushels per inch, 203 BPA (Drew County).  3rd place — Clint Boles, 6.7 bushels per inch, 211 BPA (Cross County).

Fincher, who farms in Dyess in northeast Arkansas, chalked up his win partly to the field he chose; the soil is heavy clay and holds water well.

“The biggest thing I did was just manage it a little more closely,” Fincher said. “My goal going in was to save as much water as possible. I caught rains, and I was able to go all summer, turning the well on four times.”

Though he did not use sensors, his technique was similar to alternate wetting and drying.

“Cody chose the right field and managed it efficiently in every way,” Henry said.

Three fixtures in Louisiana agriculture were recently inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction. They are former Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson of Ethel; sugarcane farmer John Gay of Plaquemine; and Paul “Jackie” Loewer of Branch, a rice farmer who has been a strong advocate for the rice industry in state and national organizations.

A joint effort of the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Louisiana Radio Network, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Hall of Distinction honors individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture or agriculture-related industries.

Jackie Loewer Loewer has dedicated much of his career to helping the Louisiana and national rice industry maintain a sound foundation. He has played a significant role in the development of several national Farm Bills.

Loewer played an inPaul ‘Jackie’ tegral role with the LouLoewer isiana Rice Research Board, serving for 26 years, including 12 years as chairman. The board funds research initiatives aimed at increasing the sustainability of Louisiana’s rice farmers.

His advocacy for the rice checkoff program has helped fund these efforts.

Loewer has been a member of several national rice boards. He was a chairman of the USA Rice Farmers Board and chairman of the USA Rice Federation, which is considered one of the highest positions a U.S. rice farmer can achieve.

Ronnie Anderson Anderson started his agricultural career in the dairy industry and transitioned to beef cattle. He has a herd of about 400 cattle and raises horses, hay and timber in both East Feliciana and West Feliciana parishes.

One of Anderson’s biggest contributions to agriculture was his tenure as Louisiana state president of Farm Bureau. He served 31 years and helped grow the orgaRICEFARMING.COM

Industry

John Gay Gay farms more than 4,500 acres in Iberville Parish. His family has been involved in sugarcane for seven generations.

Nearly every generation has held the highest level of leadership in the Louisiana sugarcane industry.

Gay has participated in variety trials on his farm, and the Gay family has funded a professorship at the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station devoted to this effort.

RiceTec raises $43,000 for charity

When RiceTec launched its newest charitable program — Harvesting Hope — the company had no idea it would be amid a time that nonprofits would be struggling to raise funds to achieve their missions.

Under the program, RiceTec customers who donated 1 acre of milled rice proceeds to their choice of a 501(c)3 nonprofit received one bag of seed at no charge for the 2021 planting season. In total, 27 growers gave more than $43,000 to their favorite charities.

For nonprofits like Personal Pep Rally, this donation meant covering half the cost of their Joy Mail Program.

“When someone agrees to partner with your passions, it is a real honor,” said Misti Coker, board member for Personal Pep Rally. “Our volunteers put in many hours to meet our mission and donations from supporters like RiceTec make it possible for that work to be done.”

Personal Pep Rally is an Arkansas-based nonprofit designed to motivate, encourage and educate those with a cancer diagnosis.

They fulfill the mental health piece of a patient’s cancer journey by serving as a resource for patient education, providing access to counseling and having a scholarship program.

Additional charities that received funds included Aeroangel, Arkansas Baptist Foundation, CASA of Jonesboro, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, Hunting for a Cure: the Price Hancock Foundation, Make A Wish, St. Jude and Wounded Warrior Project.

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

Bureau forecasts reduced water deliveries to Northern California

Based on below-average statewide snowpack, the Bureau of Reclamation recently announced reduced water allocations for nearly all Central Valley Project water contractors. Deliveries could change depending on precipitation received during the next few months, said Ernest Conant, Reclamation regional director.

The California Department of Water Resources reports that as of Feb. 21, statewide average snow water content in the Sierra Nevada was 54% of the Apr. 1 average. Current Northern Sierra precipitation is 52% of the seasonal average to date.

Moving into the 2020-21 water year, which began Oct. 1, 2020, 6 million acre-feet were stored in the CVP’s six key reservoirs.

Shasta Reservoir’s 4.5 million acre-feet capacity represents the majority of CVP water storage. Expected inflow into the reservoir is the basis of allocations for Sacramento River settlement contractors, San Joaquin River exchange contractors, San Joaquin settlement contractors and refuge contractors.

North-of-Delta contactors (including American River and In-Delta contractors):  Agricultural water service contractors north-of-Delta are allocated 5% of their contract supply of 443,000 acre-feet.  Pursuant to Reclamation’s municipal and industrial water shortage guidelines, M&I water service contractors northof-Delta (including American River and in-Delta Contractors) are allocated 55% of their historic use or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.  Sacramento River Settlement Contractors are allocated 75% of their contract supply of 2.2 million acre-feet.

mium are harmful to the body. Consuming low doses over a long period of time can even cause cancer, said Seyfferth, an associate professor at the University of Delaware.

Elements like arsenic and cadmium can be in different chemical forms depending on their environment.

Plants take up contaminants when their chemical form in the soil resembles a needed nutrient.

In rice, arsenic and cadmium uptake results from opposite conditions. Arsenic can be taken up when the field is flooded. Cadmium is more likely to be taken up when the field is not flooded.

Seyfferth’s work has searched for a way to prevent plants from taking up arsenic and cadmium from the soil. This is often done by adding soil amendments, which change the soil environment.

By doing so, researchers can help control the chemical forms and plant uptake of contaminants in the soil.

In this case, she found that adding rice husk residue to rice paddy soils can help lower the amount of arsenic and cadmium taken up by the plants.

This solution is simple yet effective.

Rice husk residue is high in the element silicon, which is an important nutrient for rice.

The chemical form of silicon is similar to the form of arsenic taken up by rice plants when fields are flooded. This similarity helps “distract” the plant, which prevents it from taking up as much arsenic.

In soils where cadmium is a problem, rice husk residue helps make the soil less acidic. This helps to lock up cadmium in the soil. The silicon in the husk may also help decrease the toxicity of cadmium.

Rice husk residue can prevent uptake of harmful elements

When most people hear “food contamination,” they think of bacteria present on unwashed fruits or vegetables, or undercooked meat. However, there are other ways for harmful contaminants to be present in food products.

Angelia Seyfferth, a member of the Soil Science Society of America, investigates food contamination coming from the soil where the plants grow.

High concentrations of arsenic and cad-

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

nization from 67,000 members to nearly 150,000 today.

News

Angelia Seyfferth’s lab conducts experiments in outdoor rice paddies at the Rice Investigation, Communication and Education Facility at the University of Delaware.

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We can only hope recent cold reduced overwintering pests DR. M.O. “MO” WAY

TEXAS Rice Research Entomologist moway@aesrg.tamu.edu Southeast Texas experienced a severe cold snap lasting almost a week beginning about Valentine’s Day. The temperatures (both high and low) were well below freezing for several days.

Some Texans were still without power and water the week of Feb. 22.

I don’t know how the weather affected our Texas rice farmers, but possibly storage facilities, stored rice and farm equipment may have been damaged. One benefit for stored rice is very cold outside air may have been circulated in storage bins to minimize stored insect pests.

Some of our rice farmers also raise crawfish and cattle, which may have been affected. Southeast Texas has not experienced weather this severe in over 100 years.

Since I am an entomologist, I will make some conjectures concerning the severe weather effects on rice arthropod pests. As you know, I am an applied entomologist — not an evolutionary biologist — so please don’t take my comments as gospel.

This lengthy cold snap may have adversely affected overwintering populations of certain insects that could impact population densities this coming season. The rice water weevil and rice

stink bug are native to the southeastern United States. The weevil overwinters as an adult in perennial clump grasses like Paspalum spp., while the stink bug overwinters as an adult in duff on the ground or even under pine bark.

I know the weevil can enter a state of diapause, which can be triggered by day length and temperature. Diapause can cause physiological changes in the insect to allow it to survive adverse conditions.

Some diapausing insects increase the concentration of glycerol in their blood, which acts like an anti-freeze. I’m not sure if the rice stink bug enters diapause in preparation for the winter. In any event, native insects in Southeast Texas have evolved over eons to adapt to our climate.

Thus, I would think these insects may be less affected by the recent cold snap than invasive pests, like the rice planthopper, which hails from the tropics (Central and South America). Maybe this cold snap wiped out any surviving planthoppers in Texas — we can only hope! The same may be said for the channeled apple snail, which is native to Brazil.

Some of you Texas rice farmers also grow soybeans. As you know, the redbanded stink bug has become the major pest of Texas soybeans, and this stink bug originated in South America.

Another invasive pest is the sugarcane aphid, which has become a big problem on sorghum in the South; however, this aphid is thought to originate in the African Tropics.

Another Texas rice pest is the Mexican rice borer, which overwinters as a late instar larvae or pupa in rice stubble and weedy grasses. Maybe overwintering populations this year will be reduced, since this stem borer originated in Mexico as its name implies. Only time will tell.

MO WAY

The view from Jeanie and Mo Way’s back porch in Fannett, Texas, Feb. 16, when the temperature was 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

Their corgi, Sophie, enjoyed the cold.

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That leads me to my last comment: I retire Feb. 26. It’s been a wonderful career working for all you good folks! And the best part of my job has been the farmers, crop consultants and colleagues I have met and cooperated with over 38 years. Thanks for the memories!

DR. RONNIE LEVY

LOUISIANA Extension Rice Specialist RLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu In a water-seeded pinpoint flood system, one-third of the crop’s nitrogen (N) fertilizer needs should be applied during the brief drain period between planting and reflooding. If urea is the fertilizer source, it should be treated with a urease inhibitor product containing the active ingredient N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), N-(n-propyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NPPT) or Duromide.

The second third of the N fertilizer should be applied one to two weeks later, and the final third by internode elongation (green ring). In a drill-seeded, dry broadcast or water-seeded delayed flood system, two-thirds of the N should be applied immediately before permanent flood.

To maximize N use efficiency, the application should be made on dry ground, and the field should be flooded as soon as possible after the application.

The balance of the N should be applied at internode elongation (green ring) or earlier if deficiency symptoms occur. Furrow-irrigated or row rice may require multiple smaller applications to improve N efficiency due to wetting and drying of the soil.

Pre-flood urea fertilizer applications should be applied on dry ground and then flooded immediately to minimize N losses and maximize fertilizer efficiency. When urea fertilizer breaks down, it has the potential to be converted into ammonia gas, which subsequently can be lost to the atmosphere through a process called ammonia volatilization. Ammonia volatilization losses can be significant.

Studies at the AgCenter’s H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station have shown that 30% or more of the applied N fertilizer can be lost in a mere 10 days. Typically, volatilization does not start for the first couple of days after application when urea is applied onto dry ground.

However, when urea is applied onto a moist soil or is applied into a standing flood, the urea is broken down quickly and volatilization can start immediately. This significantly increases the potential for larger N losses. Treating urea with one of the urease inhibitors listed above can temporarily protect N from volatility losses when urea is applied onto a dry or moist soil surface. But the protection lasts only half the time (approximately five days) when the urea is applied on a moist soil compared to when it is applied on a dry soil (approximately 10 days).

TWITTER: @RICEFARMING

LSU AGCENTER

Follow these tips to maximize nitrogen fertilization In a drill-seeded, dry broadcast or water-seeded delayed flood system, two-thirds of the N should be applied immediately before permanent flood.

A urease inhibitor will not provide any protection when the urea is applied into a standing flood. Applications of urea into a standing flood on larger rice having a healthy root system can utilize the urea quickly and prevent losses. Applications of urea into a standing flood on young seedling rice should be avoided.

Adjust seeding rates based on several factors DR. JARROD HARDKE

ARKANSAS Assoc. Professor/Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service jhardke@uada.edu Rice seeding rate recommendations are always a great topic of discussion. We all want to spend the least amount of money on seed while maximizing our return on that investment. While we may not be too far away from being able to “precision plant” rice seed, we’re still very reliant on drills, which have variability in seed placement and spacing.

As a typical reminder, our seeding rate starting points are 30 seed/ft² for pureline varieties (64-80 lb seed/acre) and 10 seed/ft²for hybrids (21-24 lb seed/acre). These recommendations assume a silt loam soil, good seedbed at planting and an optimum planting date, plus the use of insecticide and fungicide seed treatments.

We recommend adjustment to seeding rates based on a number of factors, but one main one is a 20% increase on clay soils, which would be 36 seed/ft² and 12 seed/ft² for varieties and hybrids, respectively.

Ultimately, we’re trying to achieve final stands of 12-18 plants/ ft² for varieties and 5-8 plants/ft² for hybrids. These stands give us the best chance to maximize grain yield. It’s up to the individual to adjust seeding rates based on planting conditions to give the best chance to achieve these final plant stands. Nobody knows your fields and conditions better than you, but these recommendations are an excellent starting point.

Net return is another important way to look at seeding rate recMARCH 2021

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ommendations. Reviewing plot research data across many varieties over the past several years, a few things stand out.

The first thing I notice is that grain yield generally continues to increase as seeding rate increases, even above the standard rates recommended here. The second thing that stands out is that those yield increases above standard seeding rates rarely result in a positive net return — that is, the yield increase doesn’t make up for the added seed cost. So simply planting more seed to squeeze out a little more yield isn’t necessarily worth it.

Having said that, remember there are always situations and field conditions where increasing the seeding rate are going to be worth it. Rough field conditions, for example, easily justify bumping up the seeding rate to avoid low plant stands.

If the weather will cooperate this year, stale seedbed conditions and an optimal planting date will give us the best chance to succeed with efficient seeding rates. Adjusting seeding rates lower than recommended is generally not advised, as we lose any room for error on stand establishment and plant density. But again, individual situations differ. Check out https://riceadvisor.uaex.edu/ to access the Rice Seed Calculator.

Be on the lookout for marshweed DR. WHITNEY BRIM-DEFOREST

CALIFORNIA University of California Cooperative Extension Rice Adviser Sutter, Yuba, Placer and Sacramento Counties wbrimdeforest@ucanr.edu Marshweed (Limnophila x Ludoviciana Thieret) is a perennial aquatic weed first officially identified in California rice fields in 1977 in Yuba County. Twelve additional sightings, all in Butte County, were made from 1998 through 2013. The only other

place it has been found in the United States is in Louisiana, also in or around rice fields. It is thought to be a hybrid of two common aquarium plants.

In 2019, there were two reports to the UC rice advisors from growers who had found it in their fields. One was in Glenn County, the other in Sutter County.

Although no yield decreases were reported, there was a slow dry-down of the field. We hypothesize that this may be due partially to the nature of this weed, which forms a mat over the soil as the plants die and dry out.

There were also higher-than-normal moisture levels reported in the harvester, most likely due to parts of the weed itself being pulled into the combine.

Dr. Albert Fischer, UC Davis weed scientist emeritus, did preliminary work on control in 2011-2013, all under greenhouse conditions. He looked at two timings: young plants approximately 1 inch tall and established plants that had not yet emerged from the water.

The researchers tested field rates of all registered granular products available at the time: Londax (bensulfuron), Sandea (halosulfuron), Bolero (thiobencarb), League MVP (thiobencarb + imazosulfuron), Shark H2O (carfentrazone), Granite GR (penoxsulam) and Butte (benzobicyclon + imazosulfuron). Liquid herbicide formulations were not tested as the weed does not emerge sufficiently from the water to make them effective.

On the young, newly emerged plants, Bolero and League MVP showed 100% control by about four days after application. Butte appeared to provide full control by 18 days after application.

Londax and Sandea were slow to act, but by 18 days after application, they were mostly controlling marshweed.

On the established plants, no herbicides controlled marshweed, but Londax and League MVP prevented it from emerging from the water 30 days after application and prevented it from flowering.

Although marshweed does not appear to be a significant problem at this time, it is important to be aware of how weeds are moving between fields. Remembering to clean equipment between fields (if possible), particularly when moving between different ranches or counties, is probably the most important practice.

LUIS ESPINO

LUIS ESPINO

PHOTOS: SHAUN WINTERTON, AQUARIUM AND POND PLANTS OF THE WORLD, EDITION 3, USDA APHIS PPQ, BUGWOOD.ORG

Figure 1. Marshweed (Limnophila x Ludoviciana) at harvest in a rice field.

Note the dried flowers, which indicate that these plants likely went to seed

Figure 2. Marshweed (Limnophila x Ludoviciana) at harvest in a rice field

Figure 3. Marshweed (Limnophila x Ludoviciana) before flowering

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MARCH 2021

Figure 4. Marshweed (Limnophila x Ludoviciana) at flowering

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