Circles for Rice Update | by Jake LaRue

In the United States, the following growers (by location) have currently agreed to collaborate with us this growing season:

• Texas - 1 field
• South Carolina - 1 field
• Missouri - 3 to 5 fields
• Arkansas - 2 to 3 fields

Unlike the 2010 growing season, the rice fields under center pivots is off to a slow start due to excessive rain in the boot heel of Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. If it stops raining, it will probably be another two weeks before some growers can plant. The rice in Texas was planted about two weeks ago and is beginning to emerge. The South Carolina planting will be done in the next two weeks, weather permitting. All we can do at this time is be patiently wait for the soil conditions to improve.

Sprinkler Spacing and Water Application Uniformity | by Jerry Gerdes

Sprinkler packages designed with proper sprinkler spacing will maintain a high uniformity of water application throughout the field. A number of factors determine the sprinkler spacing. These include sprinkler wetted diameter, operating pressure, ground height, and crop type.

A “rule of thumb” used for correct sprinkler spacing is the water pattern overlap between two adjoining sprinklers must be a minimum of 150% of the sprinkler spacing. A sprinkler placed at a low ground clearance (ex: 36”) to minimize evaporation and wind drift losses for a low-growing crop, such as rice, may require a closer sprinkler spacing compared to the same sprinkler at a higher ground clearance (ex: 108”). If a low ground clearance sprinkler package for rice is also used for a tall crop, such as field corn, the sprinkler spacing must be no more than 60” regardless of the sprinkler model. The tall crop canopy interference will greatly reduce the wetted diameter of any sprinkler model requiring a close spacing.

Valmont Irrigation offers two coupler spacing options for its span pipe:

1. The standard spacing of 108” works well for applications where the sprinkler ground clearance is at the trussing level or higher.
   
   
2. An optional coupler spacing of 30” is used for applications where the sprinklers are low to the ground and/or within the crop canopy.

Discussion Box Challenge

If you are a center pivot/linear user, what challenges have you experienced with uniformity?


Contact Us

To contact us directly, email rice@valmont.com.

Valley Dealer Durham Pump Open House | by Kelly Cackin

Durham Pump truck

Valley Dealer Durham Pump Inc. hosted an Open House on April 8th, and the event was a success!  About 20 vendors were there to represent Durham Pump.  The afternoon was warm and proved to be a great day for walking around and looking at the Valley center pivot.  Our own Jake LaRue held a seminar about producing rice with center pivots and linears.

Valley Irrigation booth

Congratulations to Durham Pump Inc. for their successful Open House! 

Join the Celebration! Valley Dealer Open House This Friday! | by Kelly Cackin

Just a reminder that the Durham Pump Inc. (Valley Dealer) will be hosting an Open House this Friday, April 8th!

What: Durham Pump Inc. Open House
When: Friday, April 8, 2011
Where: 2313 Durham Dayton Hwy | Durham, CA, USA | 95938
Time: Valley General Seminar @ 11 am | Circles for Rice Seminar @ 1 pm
Contact : Dustin Bates | 1-530-891-4821 | info@dpump.com

We hope to see you there!

Circles for Rice Update | by Jake LaRue

In the United States, planting rice under center pivots has begun. Planting is active in Texas, and growers in Missouri and Arkansas with light textured soils (weather permitting) will begin planting this week and next.

Some growers are still considering if rice fits their crop plans for this year. All recognize that rice prices are depressed, but some growers may still produce more return with a rice crop than soybeans or other crops due to soil types, water availability and other reasons.

As you begin the 2011 rice under center pivot crop, be sure:

• You have a plan
• You follow the plan
• You have contingencies if the plan needs adjustment

Considerations for the following also need to be included in the plan:

• Seed selection for high yield potential with excellent disease resistance
• Weed control
• Fertility
• Irrigation
• Disease control

Discussion Box Challenge

Are you planting rice under a center pivot or linear? Or are you planting rice at all this year? If you answered "yes" to either question, discuss with us any potential issues you may see in your production plan.

Contact Us

To contact us directly, please email the Circles for Rice team at rice@valmont.com.