|
|
Cooperative Extension Service |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Agricultural
Experiment Station |
|
|
|
|
|
4-H Programs
Life Skills
Evaluation
Dale Bumpers College
|
What the Farmer Needs to Know
• What is rolling stubble? When rice is harvested, part of the plant (stubble) remains in the rice field. Rolling stubble facilitates rice straw decomposition and is cost-effective. • Why is discing an ineffective practice for controlling red rice? Discing actually increases the potential for red rice problems by burying the red rice seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for up to ten years. A feeding flock of overwintering ducks, on the other hand, can efficiently consume the red rice left on the ground or submerged by flooding for duck habitat. • What are the benefits of these conservation tillage practices? Rolling rice stubble is considered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be an excellent "best management practice" for controlling soil erosion. It also enhances water quality by holding valuable topsoil in place. Holding shallow water on the field over the winter provides additional protection for the soil because it buffers the force of falling raindrops. By rolling rice stubble and holding water on fields, an estimated two tons of soil per acre is saved annually. For every 100 acres of rolled rice stubble, about 33 medium-sized (six yard) dump truck loads of soil would be kept on the land. About 2/3 of this volume is kept out of Arkansas' streams - you can think of it as your contribution to clean water. Reduced and no-tillage experiments are underway to use the 3 to 5 tons per acre of rice straw after harvest for reducing soil erosion. • How are water levels controlled? There are a number of structures that farmers can use to control the level of water in rice fields that can benefit waterfowl and shorebirds. Levees can be constructed to hold water in a particular location or impoundment. Levees can be permanent or temporary. Often rice farmers construct temporary levees, sometimes called rice dikes. Rice dikes vary in their dimensions, but those made with a rice-dike plow have about an 8-foot base and are about 2 feet high. Erosion can be reduced if levees are constructed with changes in land elevation in mind, so that the water won't top the levee. Smaller levees can be constructed with more gradual slopes and taller heights, but are costly to maintain and susceptible to erosion from wave action. Water control structures, such as flash board risers, stoplogs, and screwgates allow manipulation of water levels. Waterfowl benefit most when water is increased gradually in a harvested rice field. Sometimes pumped water is used to flood a rice field. Use of surface water for pumping is preferred to using ground water, particularly in areas where groundwater is in critical supply. (In some counties, pumping groundwater is not advised.) The location of pumping units can improve the efficiency of water manipulation. Ideally, water enters the impoundment at the highest elevation, and flows downward to impoundments at lower elevations. • What is the recommended water level for attracting waterfowl? The ideal water level for attracting waterfowl is a depth of 6 - 8 inches, although depths up to 18 inches will provide foraging habitat for ducks. • Can ducks be hunted in "Managing Rice for Ducks" fields? Yes. For hunters 16 years and older, hunting migratory waterfowl requires a hunting license and state duck stamp from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, as well as a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) Card. Be sure to read this season's Arkansas Waterfowl Regulations Guide for more information. You should also review federal regulations regarding the baiting of waterfowl and other migratory game birds. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted over unharvested rice that has been manipulated (e.g. mowed or rolled). A brochure entitled "Hunting Ducks and Doves on Agriculture Lands in Arkansas" is available at your county Extension Office. • What other income opportunities are available? Some rice farmers maintain lease operations for waterfowl hunting, which can substantially supplement the farm income. Before a farmer decides to invest in a new enterprise, however, a feasibility assessment should be conducted. Does the farmer have the business savvy and personality for a leasing operation? What financial resources are available to get started? How many amenities is the farmer willing to provide? What is the income potential of the property? Such an assessment may help when planning an enterprise as it could save the farmer from investing in a huge headache. |
|
© 2006 |
|
|
University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
Mission
•
Disclaimer
•
EEO
•
|
Harvested rice field management is not just good for ducks - it's a good
farming practice, too. The steps involved in harvesting rice fields include
rolling the stubble (not burning or discing it) and holding shallow water on
crop lands over the winter.