Valmont Irrigation, RiceTec, and the University of Missouri Delta Research Center will be hosting rice Field Days in August!
What: Rice under center pivot Field Days
Where: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 | Registration @ 8:30 AM, Presentations @ 9:00 AM
University of Missouri Delta Research Center
147 Highway T
Portageville, Arkansas, USA 63873
LAT 36 25' 19.8516", LONG -89 41' 56.3928"
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 | Registration @ 3:00 PM, Presentations @ 4:00 PM
Clinton Building/Donny Deline and Patrick Hulshof's fields
501 Campanella Drive
Sikeston, Missouri, USA 63801
LAT 36 53' 24.3816", LONG -89 34' 3.6042"
Meet and greet at the Clinton Building Community Center.
Field-to-field transportation will be made available.
Dinner at the Clinton Building will follow presentations.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 | Registration @ 8:30 AM, Presentations @ 9:00 AM
Dennis Robison's field
Corning, Arkansas, USA
County Road W5. 5 miles straight south of Naylor. Turn west on County Road W5.
LAT 36 30' 01.08396", LONG -90 37' 01.6716"
Continental breakfast will be available at the field.
Thursday, August 5, 2010 | Registration @ 8:30 AM, Presentations @ 9:00 AM
David Feilke's field
Scott, Arkansas, USA
LAT 34 35' 27.8196", LONG -92 07' 55.6782"
Continental breakfast will be available at the field.
To Register: rice@valmont.com | +1-800-825-6668 ext 6032 or ext 3505 | www.circlesforrice.com
Rice Growers: Donny Deline, Patrick Hulshof, Dennis Robison, David Feilke
Valley Dealers: MidValley, Ag H2O
All Field Days are open to the public. However, we do request that you please pre-register!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Circles for Rice Field Day
Last Tuesday, June 29, Valmont Irrigation and RiceTec hosted an open Field Day at Kevin Hoffman's rice field in Eagle Lake, Texas, USA. We feel the attendance was great with around 100 total attendees.
We started the day with a luncheon at RiceTec (Eagle Lake Facility); the food was wonderful (which included rice) and the conversation rich! We then moved to the rice field where presentations were given and the center pivot was turned on and demonstrated.
Presentation topics included:
For the most part, the weather cooperated. It was really hot for us Nebraskans, though we may be getting a taste of the heat this week!
We'd like to thank RiceTec, Peerless Equipment, Kevin Hoffman, all attendees, and all Valmont staff members for their preparation and participation. You helped make this Field Day a success!
Check out the Web page on www.CirclesForRice.com regarding our 2010 Field Days; click here.
For more information on future Field Days and events, please subscribe! Announcements will also be made on the www.CirclesForRice.com homepage as they become available.
We started the day with a luncheon at RiceTec (Eagle Lake Facility); the food was wonderful (which included rice) and the conversation rich! We then moved to the rice field where presentations were given and the center pivot was turned on and demonstrated.
Presentation topics included:
- Characteristics of the most effective Hybrid seed options
- Recommended chemical and fertilizer applications to control weeds, diseases, and insects
- Recommended irrigation scheduling and sprinkler options
- Irrigation equipment and controls
- Energy and water conservation
For the most part, the weather cooperated. It was really hot for us Nebraskans, though we may be getting a taste of the heat this week!
We'd like to thank RiceTec, Peerless Equipment, Kevin Hoffman, all attendees, and all Valmont staff members for their preparation and participation. You helped make this Field Day a success!
Check out the Web page on www.CirclesForRice.com regarding our 2010 Field Days; click here.
For more information on future Field Days and events, please subscribe! Announcements will also be made on the www.CirclesForRice.com homepage as they become available.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
New Observation
An observation we have seen in very lightly textured soils under a center pivot is new emerging leaves appear yellow (photo on right). Tissue and soil samples were collected in both areas of healthy plants and areas of yellowing plants; these were then taken and examined by specialists at the University of Missouri Delta Research Center, where a conclusion was made that the yellowing was caused by a fertility issue. The analysis was run by the Delta Center Soils Lab, and, while there were no specific recommendations for center pivot irrigated rice, it appeared that sulfur may be the culprit. Ammonium sulfate was applied and watered in the field on July 3, 2010. We will follow up with the issue this week.
New Observation
An observation we have seen in very lightly textured soils under a center pivot is new emerging leaves appear yellow (photo on right). Tissue and soil samples were collected in both areas of healthy plants and areas of yellowing plants; these were then taken and examined by specialists at the University of Missouri Delta Research Center, where a conclusion was made that the yellowing was caused by a fertility issue. The analysis was run by the Delta Center Soils Lab, and, while there were no specific recommendations for center pivot irrigated rice, it appeared that sulfur may be the culprit. Ammonium sulfate was applied and watered in the field on July 3, 2010. We will follow up with the issue this week.
Circles for Rice | Weekly Update
The 2010 rice crop season continues to be a challenge; but, then again, how many years are not!
Weeds are a continuous issue in both the United States and Ukraine. However, the fields with full ground shading are ahead of the game. In the past week, we have seen in some fields development of patches of Johnson grass and shatter cane, and, of course, pigweed is a problem. The Delta Farm Press recently published an article by Ford L. Baldwin on the current weed situation in (flooded) rice fields:
Overall, though, the Rice Team has rated the weed control as good/excellent across the fields.
Irrigation management is a continuously critical factor, and we recommend applying more water as the rice crop matures (per our observations on the loamy sand to clay loam soils); HOWEVER, we do not want the water moving from where it is applied (ie: runoff - photo on the right). Some fields can take up to .75", while other fields are limited to only .5". We must also be careful to cover the field and return to the driest areas in a timely fashion. Remember that the rice root system is much shallower than corn, cotton, and soybeans, which means that there is a small volume of soil to manage.
We also need to keep an eye on the pressure at the pivot point (photo at left). As pumping levels change, we have observed a reduction in the pivot pressure; if the pivot pressure is below the sprinkler chart (design pressure), the depth of water applied is reduced. This reduction can lead to the situation as shown in the picture below where, due to reduced pressure, the correct overlap is not maintained and streaking has developed in the field. The darker areas are rice plants exhibiting signs of moisture stress, while the lighter areas are plants that have adequate moisture.
We have started to collect infrared images to help identify issues in the fields, which we then compare with adjacent flood fields (photo at right). Please note the half-circle center pivot and the flood field in the lower right-hand corner. We like to see uniform color across the field.
I know this is a lot of information for one update! If you have any questions about any of the observations, please ask away in the Comments box below.
Weeds are a continuous issue in both the United States and Ukraine. However, the fields with full ground shading are ahead of the game. In the past week, we have seen in some fields development of patches of Johnson grass and shatter cane, and, of course, pigweed is a problem. The Delta Farm Press recently published an article by Ford L. Baldwin on the current weed situation in (flooded) rice fields:
"I am getting the normal midseason rice herbicide questions. With the difficulty a lot of folks had getting herbicides applied timely, there will be some escaped grass."Please click here to read the article in its entirety.
Overall, though, the Rice Team has rated the weed control as good/excellent across the fields.
Irrigation management is a continuously critical factor, and we recommend applying more water as the rice crop matures (per our observations on the loamy sand to clay loam soils); HOWEVER, we do not want the water moving from where it is applied (ie: runoff - photo on the right). Some fields can take up to .75", while other fields are limited to only .5". We must also be careful to cover the field and return to the driest areas in a timely fashion. Remember that the rice root system is much shallower than corn, cotton, and soybeans, which means that there is a small volume of soil to manage.We also need to keep an eye on the pressure at the pivot point (photo at left). As pumping levels change, we have observed a reduction in the pivot pressure; if the pivot pressure is below the sprinkler chart (design pressure), the depth of water applied is reduced. This reduction can lead to the situation as shown in the picture below where, due to reduced pressure, the correct overlap is not maintained and streaking has developed in the field. The darker areas are rice plants exhibiting signs of moisture stress, while the lighter areas are plants that have adequate moisture.We have started to collect infrared images to help identify issues in the fields, which we then compare with adjacent flood fields (photo at right). Please note the half-circle center pivot and the flood field in the lower right-hand corner. We like to see uniform color across the field.I know this is a lot of information for one update! If you have any questions about any of the observations, please ask away in the Comments box below.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Circles for Rice Field Day Reminder | One Week!
Valmont Irrigation and RiceTec will be hosting a rice field day in one week!
What: Rice under center pivot field day
When: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Where: RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility
3055 Hwy 3013
Eagle Lake, Texas, USA 77434
GPS: LAT 29 32' 19.49", LONG 96 19' 26.01"
Kevin Hoffman's rice field
1/2 mile west of the intersection of FM950 and FM2614
Texas, USA
GPS: LAT 29 28' 18.71", LONG 96 21' 44.06"
Times: Registration at 11:30AM
Lunch will be served at the RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility at 12PM.
Field day activities will commence at the field from 1PM - 3PM.
RSVP: rice@valmont.com | +1-800-825-6668 ext 3042 | www.circlesforrice.com
Rice Grower: Kevin Hoffman
Valley Dealer: Peerless Equipment
The field day will open with a luncheon at the RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility. Following lunch will be a trip to the rice field, where attendees will see the Valley center pivot in action and participate in field day activities presented by Circles for Rice team members and RiceTec staff.
For those who do not wish to participate in the luncheon, please join us at Mr. Hoffman's field at 1PM for field day activities; registration will also be available at this time. The field is located 1/2 mile west of the intersection of FM950 and FM2614 (about 10 miles from Eagle Lake).
This field day is open to the public. However, we do request that you please pre-register.
Register by email, website, or phone. Pre-registrants will receive a special welcome gift at the Field Day!
What: Rice under center pivot field day
When: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Where: RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility
3055 Hwy 3013
Eagle Lake, Texas, USA 77434
GPS: LAT 29 32' 19.49", LONG 96 19' 26.01"
Kevin Hoffman's rice field
1/2 mile west of the intersection of FM950 and FM2614
Texas, USA
GPS: LAT 29 28' 18.71", LONG 96 21' 44.06"
Times: Registration at 11:30AM
Lunch will be served at the RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility at 12PM.
Field day activities will commence at the field from 1PM - 3PM.
RSVP: rice@valmont.com | +1-800-825-6668 ext 3042 | www.circlesforrice.com
Rice Grower: Kevin Hoffman
Valley Dealer: Peerless Equipment
The field day will open with a luncheon at the RiceTec Eagle Lake Facility. Following lunch will be a trip to the rice field, where attendees will see the Valley center pivot in action and participate in field day activities presented by Circles for Rice team members and RiceTec staff.
For those who do not wish to participate in the luncheon, please join us at Mr. Hoffman's field at 1PM for field day activities; registration will also be available at this time. The field is located 1/2 mile west of the intersection of FM950 and FM2614 (about 10 miles from Eagle Lake).
This field day is open to the public. However, we do request that you please pre-register.
Register by email, website, or phone. Pre-registrants will receive a special welcome gift at the Field Day!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Circles for Rice | Weekly Update
United States
This week, I will focus on some irrigation management issues that have been observed in the rice fields under center pivots. The following situations have developed in the fields:
1. Case #1 - The rice team advises the grower to irrigate, but the grower "wants to wait for rain." We all want to utilize the rain, but if the grower delays irrigation for two or more days, particularly on some of the lighter soils, we will see damage to the tillers and, in some cases, some significant drying. We need complete canopy development to both minimize late season weed pressure and achieve good yields.
2. Case #2 - The farmer applies very light, frequent irrigation applications of .09" per pass. As shown in the graph below, the trend for soil moisture at the 4" depth has increased. Note the small "dips" after each application, but not complete refill of the soil profile. Fortunately, on June 17, the rice field received significant rain that recharged the soil profile.
3. Case #3 - The grower applies too much irrigation per pass. There are two problems with this approach:
Overall, though, the rice is looking excellent and has good weed control.
 |
| Missouri, USA |
 |
| Missouri, USA |
1. Case #1 - The rice team advises the grower to irrigate, but the grower "wants to wait for rain." We all want to utilize the rain, but if the grower delays irrigation for two or more days, particularly on some of the lighter soils, we will see damage to the tillers and, in some cases, some significant drying. We need complete canopy development to both minimize late season weed pressure and achieve good yields.
2. Case #2 - The farmer applies very light, frequent irrigation applications of .09" per pass. As shown in the graph below, the trend for soil moisture at the 4" depth has increased. Note the small "dips" after each application, but not complete refill of the soil profile. Fortunately, on June 17, the rice field received significant rain that recharged the soil profile.
3. Case #3 - The grower applies too much irrigation per pass. There are two problems with this approach:
- There is a potential for runoff (which is what happened). More water was applied than the soil could infiltrate or store on the surface and it began to run off.
- There is significant time to get back to the start of the irrigation cycle. Rice is a shallow-rooted crop and does not have much soil volume from which to draw moisture; it may reach critical depletion before the center pivot gets back to the beginning of the cycle.
Overall, though, the rice is looking excellent and has good weed control.
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