From The Editor
Preparing for the Unexpected
Nowadays, when you google something, you get an “Ai Overview” at the top of the screen of results. if you google “preparing for the unexpected,” you get the following: “To prepare for the unexpected, identify potential risks, develop contingency plans, communicate effectively, and be adaptable, focusing on both personal and professional preparedness.”
Cassidy Nemec Editor
i believe this month’s issue of Rice Farming has a lot to say about all of this. Beginning with “identifying risks,” page six covers an Arkansas study on growers’ attitudes toward risk and water: “Agriculture requires enormous amounts of water in the United States and elsewhere, and drought can severely impact crop production. The study will use farmer surveys to measure their risk preferences and incorporate this data into economic and hydrological models. These models will simulate how irrigation decisions change over time, particularly during prolonged droughts, and predict whether farmers will adapt to drier conditions or overuse aquifers, potentially necessitating future public policy interventions.”
Developing contingency plans is huge, and this month’s Ag law & policy department article is all about ECAp — the Emergency Commodity Assistance program. The economic assistance payments going to eligible producers are aimed at helping commodity producers “mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.” See pages eight and nine for more information and eligibility requirements.
Communicating effectively is quite an art. i feel as though it is a lifelong effort to maintain and improve upon communication skills, and the cover story spanning pages 14 and 15 was a good example of this to me. The University of California Cooperative Extension group is studying the benefits of an alternative method of managing field margins by incorporating hedgerows in rice fields. This study does a great job of laying out the foundation, including what might be a solution to the issue, and what additional benefits may be derived.
Being adaptable is something that can put you ahead in this day and age. pages 16 and 17 provide an integrated approach from Ford Baldwin, Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame member, on how to preserve our current provisia and Max-Ace technologies in the face of heightened resistance levels seen elsewhere pushing for good stewardship of what we have. “The program outlined here targets fields where weedy rice has become enough of an issue for farmers to switch to Provisia and Max-Ace rice. The components in the program have been thoroughly researched by Dr. Norsworthy and others with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. They have been successfully put into practice by Terry Gray, a zero-grade rice farmer at Delaplaine, Arkansas, who had created and has now solved a severe weedy rice problem.”
Focusing on both personal and professional preparedness is an interesting component. i think we can all agree life didn’t turn out exactly the way we might have planned it ourselves long ago, but i’m also fairly positive most would say it’s worked out better than we could have imagined. Tim Jett is a great example of this in our April My Turn on page 22. read his unlikely journey into the agricultural industry that began in the booming metropolis of Dallas, Texas. i gleaned so much from his story and was inspired throughout. Be safe out there, and leave some room for opportunity and growth!
EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION
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Emergency Helps Rice Farmers Weather the Storm, But Long-Term Solutions Are Needed
By now, you have probably heard the details on USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance program (ECAp), backed by $10 billion from the American relief Act of 2025, but if you haven’t, i’ll share them, and how to apply for the assistance, but i also want to offer some thoughts on the topic in general.
USA rice worked tirelessly to make the case for the rice industry in the ECAp and the program will deliver much-needed support to rice producers and other commodity farmers, and we are grateful for it. With declining prices, inflated input costs, and punishing interest rates, this program offers timely help. rice growers will be eligible for payments of $76.94 per planted acre, and 50% of prevented planted acreage is also eligible for support. The first round of payments will be prorated at 85%, with more to follow later in the year as funds allow.
pre-filled applications are being mailed to eligible producers and you need to file it electronically or in person at your local FSA office by Aug. 15, 2025.
All told, an estimated $200 million will flow to rice farmers through ECAp. And make no mistake — this money will help. But it’s important to remember that this is an emergency contingency program. it’s not where rice farmers want to be.
i don’t want to come off as ungrateful — i’m not, and i know you aren’t either. But we all know rice growers would rather have a func-
tioning marketplace that lets them grow a quality crop and sell it at a fair price, rewarding their hard work with the business and life they chose.
They don’t want to have to rely on federal assistance to stay afloat, but as any farmer will tell you, there’s a lot out there beyond their control. in today’s market, with unfair trade practices abroad and rising costs at home, many farmers are stuck between a rock and a hard place. So the emergency relief is welcome news — but it’s no replacement for real, long-term solutions.
Unfortunately, we don’t operate on a level playing field. Countries like india continue to manipulate the global rice market through illegal subsidies and export bans, distorting prices and putting American farmers at a disadvantage. At the same time, growers here at home face skyrocketing production costs and higher interest rates on operating loans. it’s a one-two punch that leaves little margin for survival.
And then of course there’s the lack of a Farm Bill. The 2018 Farm Bill is long expired and we’re working on our second extension that is utilizing production estimates established in 2012. Think of how your operation has evolved over the past 13 years.
if we had a Farm Bill with a higher reference price under the price loss Coverage (plC) program, emergency assistance like ECAp wouldn’t be needed.
USA rice has fought hard to secure this emergency funding and is working closely with USDA to ensure the program is implemented fairly and efficiently. But make no mistake — what farmers want most isn’t a bailout. it’s the chance to make a living on their own terms, in a fair market that values their crop and their commitment. in the absence of this environment, we know there’s no substitute for the longer-term certainty offered by a good Farm Bill.
For now, ECAp will help keep farmers going. But lasting solutions are long overdue, and rest assured that USA rice continues to advocate in the halls of Congress each day for a meaningful Farm Bill that is effective for this year.
By Jamison Cruce USA Rice Vice President Government Affairs
Investigating Farmers’ Attitudes Toward Risk and Water
Two researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be part of a three-year study examining how farmers’ risk preferences impact water use during drought.
Mike Daniels, professor and Extension soil and water conservation scientist, and John pennington, Extension water quality educator, are collaborating with co-principal investigators Kevin Befus, associate professor of geosciences at the University of Arkansas, and Kent Kovacs, associate professor of accounting, economics, and finance at the University of Arkansas at little rock.
The National Science Foundation’s Division of research, innovation, Synergies, and Education awarded $745,594 to the four researchers.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity to address a complex societal challenge — ensuring sustainable water use in agriculture,” Kovacs said. “No single discipline can solve this problem alone. We need interdisciplinary teams that combine economic modeling with hydrological data to understand how farmers respond to risk and changing water availability.”
The three-year project will integrate economic, hydrological, and social science models to examine farmers’ irrigation decisions, particularly in groundwater-dependent agricultural systems like the lower Mississippi river Basin. The research findings will help policymakers and water resource managers develop strategies for sustainable water use amid increasing climate challenges.
The Division of Agriculture, a sister entity to UA-little rock within the University of Arkansas System, conducts the landgrant missions of outreach and research and brings those unique skills to this project.
Both pennington and Daniels have lengthy experience dealing directly with landowners, farmers, and other Arkansas stakeholders across the state. pennington has facilitated a series of watershed cleanup efforts in the Buffalo river watershed, and Daniels is director of the Arkansas Discovery Farm program, which addressed soil and water health by reducing nutrient runoff, with an eye to water quality in the lower Mississippi.
“Our role in the project is to organize, coordinate, and conduct the public outreach meetings with the producers,” pennington said. “We look forward to sharing information and gaining insight into their valuable and critically important perspectives regarding climate resiliency, their use of irrigation water, and the related challenges and concerns.”
“We are excited to work with Dr. Kovacs and Dr. Befus to help protect the groundwater resources of our state and to ensure that agriculture remains sustainable,” Daniels said.
Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, said the study will address a critical challenge “for Arkansas and beyond,” and that the findings “will provide valuable insights that can help shape more sustainable agricultural practices and water conservation strategies.”
Agriculture requires enormous amounts of water in the United
States and elsewhere, and drought can severely impact crop production. The study will use farmer surveys to measure their risk preferences and incorporate this data into economic and hydrological models. These models will simulate how irrigation decisions change over time, particularly during prolonged droughts, and predict whether farmers will adapt to drier conditions or overuse aquifers, potentially necessitating future public policy interventions.
“if our models suggest a rapid decline of aquifer resources, it may indicate the need for policy changes — whether through water use regulations, incentives, or conservation programs,” Kovacs said. “Billions of dollars are invested in irrigated crop agriculture in Arkansas, making it the state’s second-highest revenue-generating agricultural activity after poultry. Understanding how irrigated farming impacts our goods and services from water resources is crucial for the livelihoods of Arkansans and the future of our state’s economy.”
The project will include three stakeholder workshops with farmers, researchers, businesses, state and federal agencies and policymakers to ensure the research is grounded in real-world challenges and practical solutions.
The grant will also support education and outreach initiatives, including curriculum development and student training, with an emphasis on engaging non-traditional students in water resource management research.
“i’m thrilled to receive this grant,” Kovacs said. “This research will not only contribute to scientific understanding but also provide practical insights for farmers and policymakers, helping ensure long-term water sustainability for future generations.”
This information is provided by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
2025 Rice Awards Nomination Form
The Rice Farmer of the Year, Rice Industry Award and Rice Lifetime Achievement Award recognize those rice leaders who have demonstrated dedication, determination and innovation to the industry. We need your help to identify candidates who are worthy of these prestigious awards. Please take time to consider which industry members in your area should be recipients of these honors and mail or scan/email this form and supporting materials or go to ricefarming.com/ra to nominate online.
Categories:
Please check the box of the appropriate award category:
Rice Farmer of the Year Award
■ Must farm at least 200 acres.
■ A farmer who has successfully achieved goals in his/her farming operation, rice industry association, community leadership/development, innovative production practices and/or environmental stewardship.
Rice Industry Award
■ Has been in the rice industry for more than five years.
■ A researcher, Extension person, government/association leader, etc... who has demonstrated commitment to the rice industry through innovative practices, industry association, community leadership/development.
Rice Lifetime Achievement Award
■ Has been in the rice industry for more than 10 years.
■ An industry leader who has provided great contributions to the rice industry through industry associations, community leadership/development, innovative practices/projects that have advanced the industry.
Deadline:
July 15, 2025
If you are submitting more than one nomination form, please make a copy before you fill out the form. Nomination forms can be downloaded or submitted online at ricefarming.com/ra
Nominee’s name
Nominee’s address
Nominee’s phone number/email address
Nominee’s rice acreage (if applicable)
Number of years involved in the rice industry (if applicable)
Your name
Your profession
Your address
Your phone number/email address
Your signature Date
Please send completed form & supporting materials to: Carroll Smith 7201 Eastern Ave., Germantown, TN 38138
Scan/Email: csmith@onegrower.com Online: ricefarming.com/ra
Include supporting materials to elaborate on your nomination:
In addition to completing this form, on a separate piece of paper, please describe the nominee in terms of the following guidelines:
Dedication to farming and/or agriculture and the rice industry, local community and education. Determination to succeed and overcome hurdles that have emerged while trying to reach goals. Innovation to identify new and better ways for the industry to become more profitable, manage risk, achieve a higher level of efficiency.
It also is helpful to send letters of recommendation for the nominee from other individuals in the rice industry who are familiar with his/her accomplishments. A panel of judges from across the Rice Belt will select the recipients of the 2025 Rice Awards.
The award recipients will be honored at the USA Rice Outlook Conference, Dec. 7-9 in New Orleans, Louisiana, where an official presentation will be made at the awards luncheon. They also will be featured in a special salute sponsored by Horizon Ag, USA Rice and Rice Farming magazine in the December 2025 issue.
SPONSORS
Emergency Commodity Assistance Program
What It Is
USDA’s Farm Service Agency is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year through the Emergency Commodity Assistance program (ECAp).
These one-time economic assistance payments will help commodity producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Who Is Eligible
To be eligible, producers must meet the following requirements:
■ Be actively engaged in farming.
■ Have an interest in input expenses for a covered commodity.
■ Have reported acreage of eligible commodities to FSA for the 2024 crop year planted and prevent plant acres to FSA on an FSA-578, report of Acreage form.
■ Have reported acres that were prevented from being planted to FSA for the 2024 crop year on an FSA-576 Notice of loss form (if applicable).
combination.
Note: producers who have not previously reported 2024 crop year acreage or filed a notice of loss for prevent plant crops, must submit an acreage report by the Aug. 15, 2025, deadline.
Eligible Acreage, Commodities, and ECAP Payment Rates (per acre):
■ Acreage that has been reported with both an initial commodity and a double crop commodity will be eligible for payment on both plantings if in an approved double cropping combination.
■ Acreage that has multiple intended uses will only be eligible for payment on one intended use. if multiple producers have interest, the payment is limited to the applicant that has the interest in input expenses.
■ producers will be eligible for payment on both plantings in situations where producers graze small grain acreage and then still could timely plant a spring commodity with a reasonable expectation to produce a normal yield, therefore making use of both commodities if there is an rMA short rate policy in effect for 2024.
■ in cases where an initial eligible commodity failed or was prevented from being planted and the producer planted a subsequent eligible commodity for the 2024 crop year, eligible acreage will be limited to the initial crop if not in an approved double crop
■ Volunteer acreage, experimental acreage, and acreage with an intended use of green manure or left standing are not eligible for payment under ECAp
Important Dates
March 19 and runs through Aug. 15, 2025
How To Apply
■ pre-filled ECAp applications will be mailed to all producers with a reported eligible commodity as of March 10, 2025.
■ After verifying and completing the ECAp application form, producers should submit their application to their local FSA county office. Options to submit ECAp applications include:
■ in-person.
■ Electronically using Box and One-span.
■ Fax.
■ The online application using a secure login.gov account.
■ One application will cover a producer’s entire operation nationwide.
■ Applications must be submitted by Aug. 15, 2025. producers do not have to wait for their pre-filled ECAp application to apply. They can apply using a login.gov account or contact
their local FSA o ce to request an application once the sign-up period opens.
Producers must have the following forms on le with FSA for the 2024 crop year:
■ Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet
■ Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
■ Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
■ Form CCC-943, 75% of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certi cation (if applicable).
■ AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certi cation.
■ Form SF-3881, Direct Deposit.
Except for the new form CCC-943, most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these forms on le. However, those who are uncertain and want to con rm the status of their forms or need to submit the new Form CCC-943, can contact their local FSA county o ce.
Producers who did not receive a pre- lled ECAP application and planted or were prevented from planting ECAP eligible commodities in 2024, should contact their local FSA o ce.
How It Works
ECAP Payments and Calculator
ECAP payments will be issued as applications are approved. ECAP assistance will be calculated using a at payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres.
Initial ECAP payments will be factored by 85% to ensure total
program payments do not exceed available funding. If additional funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.
Payments are based on acreage not production. For acres reported as prevented planted, ECAP will be limited to 50% of reported acres.
For an ECAP payment estimate, use the ECAP online calculator.
As provided by the American Relief Act, 2025, the total amount of ECAP payments received, directly or indirectly, by a person or legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) may not exceed:
■ $125,000, if less than 75% of the average gross income of the person or legal entity for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax years is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry activities; and
■ $250,000, if not less than 75% of the average gross income of the person or legal entity for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 tax years is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry activities.
■ Gross income will be calculated based on the applicable threeyear average (2020, 2021, and 2022) of the reported “total income” on IRS forms 1040, 1041, 1065, and 1120, or similar forms.
■ A payment made to a legal entity will be attributed to those members who have a direct or indirect ownership interest in the legal entity, unless the payment of the legal entity has been reduced by the proportionate ownership interest of the member due to that member’s ineligibility.
■ ese payment limitations are separate from the payment limitations that apply to other programs.
is information is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Please visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ecap for more information.
Submit a nomination for the 2025 Rice Consultant of the Year Award.
Recognize an outstanding consultant for his or her dedication, leadership and innovation in the U.S. rice industry.
For more information, go to ricefarming.com/rcoy or go toPage 11in this issue of Rice Farming.
Submit nominations by July15,
RTWG Honors Norsworthy with Research, Education Award
By Mary Hightower U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
The Rice Technical Working Group — RTWG — has bestowed a distinguished award on a distinguished professor.
Jason Norsworthy, distinguished professor and Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science at the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was honored by his colleagues recently.
“ e Distinguished Rice Research and Education Individual Award is presented in recognition of recent achievement and distinction in research or educational programs that advance the science, motivate progress, and promise technical advances in the rice industry,” said Jarrod Hardke, Extension rice agronomist, 2025 chair of RTWG, and colleague of Norsworthy’s at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Norsworthy “is the most brilliant scientist, yet one of the most down-to-earth people I have ever known,” said Ford Baldwin, himself a distinguished professor and inductee into multiple halls of fame. “I have had repeated opportunities to observe him in everything from prestigious international conferences to turn-row weed control meetings. He has the unique ability to command the respect of the international weed science community at the basic research level, while commanding equal respect from a group of farmers at a eld day or grower meeting.”
Baldwin rst got to know Norsworthy as the latter was earning his master’s degree and watched as the young scientist continued to grow, rst with his Ph.D. from Arkansas, and then a faculty position at Clemson University.
Baldwin said he was involved in a project that involved an extensive literature review.
“In doing that, an astonishing number of journal articles I would nd would have Jason Norsworthy as the primary author, and he had just begun his career,” Baldwin said. “I remember thinking ‘this kid has more refereed publications by the time he nished graduate school, than most faculty
members have total!’
“He has never let up,” Baldwin said. A er graduating from high school in Smackover, Arkansas, Norsworthy headed to Louisiana Tech University where he earned a bachelor’s in plant sciences-agronomy. He moved to Fayetteville, earning his master’s degree in 1997 and following with a Ph.D., both in plant sciences-weed science. A er earning his doctorate, Norsworthy spent six years on the faculty of Clemson.
Last year, Norsworthy earned the Rice Industry Award for his work. e Rice Technical Working Group meets at least biennially to provide for continuous exchange of information, cooperative planning, and periodic review of all phases of rice research and Extension being carried on by the states, federal government, and cooperating agencies. It develops proposals for future work, which are suggested to the participating agencies for implementation.
Jason Norsworthy addressing the audience after receiving an honor from the Rice Technical Working Group on Feb. 18, 2025.
JARROD HARDKE
NOMINATION FORM
Nominate an outstanding consultant for the Rice Consultant of the Year Award
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience and Rice Farming magazine, the annual award recognizes the dedication, leadership and innovation of this crucial segment of the U.S. rice industry.
“Corteva Agriscience™ is committed to rice consultants and the key role they play in agronomic guidance and support,” said Drew Clark, Corteva Agriscience portfolio marketing lead, rice and cereals.
“As the sponsor of the Rice Consultant of the Year program, Corteva is honored to recognize consultants who continuously strive to impact the rice industry and their local communities,” he said.
The RCOY Award recipient will:
Be featured in a four-page salute in the February 2026 Rice Farming magazine and honored at a special recognition event Feb. 26, 2026.
Receive a personalized Rice Consultant of the Year jacket.
The award recipient and nominator each will receive two night’s hotel stay and round-trip travel to the event.
SUBMIT SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Please use a separate page for biographical/professional information.
Additional recommendation letters from rice farmers, consultants and industry members in support of the nominee are encouraged.
Submit all materials via:
Email: csmith@onegrower.com
Mail: Carroll Smith
7201 Eastern Ave. Germantown, TN 38138
Online: ricefarming.com/rcoy
Submit nominations by July 15, 2025.
Consultant’s Name:
Company Name:
Mailing Address: City:
Scan here to see previous RCOYAward winners.
Or visit Corteva. us/2025RCOY
Please describe the dedication, leadership and innovation that makes this person a good candidate for the 2025 Rice Consultant of the Year Award. (Be as specific as possible, and use a separate sheet, if needed.)
Report from Missouri Rice Council Annual Meeting
last week, Bootheel rice farmers gathered here for the Missouri rice Council annual meeting that had been rescheduled due to a February snow storm.
Following a short reception, attendees heard from several speakers focused on the Council’s financial report, markets, state political updates, ongoing research efforts, and rice trade promotion activities. One special guest speaker was former USA rice Farmers Board member and current State Senator Jason Bean. He provided updates on legislative efforts to prevent the export of irrigation water out of the state to maintain ample access for agricultural use.
USA rice staff visited with growers before and after the meeting and shared updates on anticipated timing for the coming rice economic assistance, opportunities for increased market access in 2025 and beyond, and the status of Farm Bill negotiations in Washington.
rance Daniels, a USA rice Board Member who farms in Hornersville, was recently elected the chair of the Missouri rice Council and provided remarks during the meeting.
“Despite a challenging economic outlook for farmers this year, we are looking forward to getting our crop in the ground soon and we anticipate our acreage here in the Bootheel will be about level with last year’s acreage as long as everyone gets the seed they’re requesting,” Daniels said. “The emergency economic assistance secured at the end of last year will prove key to many continuing farming this year, and we hope to see Congress act soon towards enacting a Farm Bill with meaningful safety net in-
creases, effective for the 2025 crop year.” Missouri is consistently the fourth largest U.S. rice-growing state.
— Jamison Cruce
Leadership Farm Bureau class announced for 2025
Eight agricultural professionals have been chosen for the California Farm Bureau’s 2025 leadership Farm Bureau program. leadership Farm Bureau class members will participate in a yearlong educational and development initiative that prepares them for leadership roles in Farm Bureau and agriculture. The program includes 200 hours of instruction, with seminars on key issues affecting California farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses.
program participants will learn about government and legislation, media and communications, public speaking, and team building. They will also attend lobbying sessions in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and meet with lawmakers and administrative and regulatory officials.
Members of the leadership Farm Bureau class are:
■ Tharvin Gill of Yuba-Sutter County, the Western region vice president relationship manager for Conterra Ag Capital.
■ Alexis Harvey of Solano County, a crop consultant for Grow West, an account
manager for Dixon Bee Co., a pollination consultant for Beewise, and the manager of Bedoya Orchards.
■ Miranda Jachens of El Dorado County, the membership and marketing manager for the California Farm labor Contractor Association.
■ Alicia Muhr of San Diego County, the office manager at San Diego County Farm Bureau.
■ David perry of Glenn County, a fourth-generation rice farmer and owner of a trucking company that hauls rice, nuts, fruit, aggregate, and cement powder.
■ Samantha piehoff of Sonoma County, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau operations manager and a fourth-generation agriculturist.
■ Harley ramirez of Shasta County, the manager for Sunbelt rentals, where he helps provide rental equipment to local and regional farmers, ranchers, contractors, and others.
■ John Tamayo of imperial County, an outside sales representative for rain for rent, working with farmers and ranchers to provide irrigation solutions.
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.
New Missouri Rice Council Chair Rance Daniels
Leadership Farm Bureau Class of 2025, from left: Alexis Harvey of Solano County; Tharvin Gill of Sutter County; Samantha Piehoff of Sonoma County; David Perry of Glenn County; Harley Ramirez of Shasta County; Alicia Muhr of San Diego County; John Tamayo of Imperial County; and Miranda Jachens of El Dorado County.
USA Rice Applauds Jamieson Greer Confirmation to USTR
Recently, the U.S. Senate approved Jamieson Greer with a 56-43 vote to lead the O ce of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Greer, who is no stranger to rice country, previously served as chief of sta under U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, and most recently was a partner on the international trade team at King & Spalding, an American multinational law rm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
As USTR, Greer will be responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s America First Trade Policy agenda, including addressing unfair and non-reciprocal foreign trade practices as well as leading the 2026 United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) review. e USTR is responsible for leading market access and trade negotiations as well as trade enforcement.
e America First Trade Policy agenda is expected to include protection and rebuilding of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
“As essential U.S. food manufacturers, we’re optimistic that these policies will extend to the U.S. rice industry and allow for recapturing of American market share following a decade of import growth by foreign rice,” said USA Rice president & CEO Peter Bachmann. “We congratulate Ambassador
Greer on his swi approval through the U.S. Senate and look forward to working closely with him to address the many unfair trade practices plaguing the U.S. rice industry while opening new market opportunities so our industry can prosper for years to come.”
— Karah Janevicius
PROVEN RESULTS
RES UL S
USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer
Hedgerows in Rice
Ongoing Study Explores Alternative Method to Managing Field Margins
By Whitney Brim-DeForest
Contributions by Taiyu Guan, Luis A. Espino, and Sarah E. Ligh University of California Cooperative Extension
Incorporating hedgerows in rice could provide growers with an alternative method for managing field margins without relying on pesticide applications to control the pests along the edges of rice fields. They may potentially improve soil health and lower costs for maintaining field edges and permanent levees. They may also increase beneficial insects found in rice fields.
This study is the first of its kind in California rice and provides the opportunity to learn about potential benefits to installing hedgerows along rice fields. in 2024, we established a hedgerow and collected data on soil health, weed control, insect populations, and success rates of hedgerow plants. The study is funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soil program and will continue to through 2027.
The study site is located on a permanent levee next to a rice field in Arbuckle, in Colusa County. The field is rotated with annual crops, with rice being the main crop. The hedgerow area and the unplanted control area are adjacent and share the same soil type. Both the hedgerow and control areas measure 275 feet in length and 20 feet in width (Fig. 1).
in April 2024, we established a hedgerow of native plant species suited to Colusa County, including the following:
■ Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis).
■ Coffeeberry (Rahmnus californica = Frangula californica).
■ Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
■ California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
The species are adapted to the soil and climate conditions of the study site and are also recommended by rachael long (2010) (https://ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/ files/dgvnsk7366/files/inline-files/26499. pdf).
All plants were purchased from a local
nursery in Butte County and were transplanted from pots. The arroyo willows were spaced 15 feet apart, the coffeeberry 7.5 feet apart, and the deer grass 5 feet apart. Since the optimal seedling time for California poppy is late winter or early spring, we delayed seeding until November 2024. California poppy seeds were handsewn in the spaces between the hedgerow plants at a seeding rate of 15 to 20 pounds per acre. in November 2024, we replaced the dead hedgerow plants to ensure the hedgerow’s continued effectiveness.
irrigation is recommended during the first three years to ensure the survival of hedgerow species during California’s dry season. Since the experiment began in April 2024, we irrigated the field twice weekly for approximately 4 to 6 hours through October 2024. When temperatures reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit, we increased irrigation to three times per week. Additionally, we hand-irrigated individual plants that required extra water. in addition to irrigation, we fertilized the hedgerow species after transplantation in April 2024 to promote establishment and improve survivability. Urea was applied at a rate of 15 grams to the deergrass and coffeeberry and 30 grams to the arroyo willow.
We studied the effects of implementing
hedgerows in annual cropping systems across four key aspects: (1) soil health, (2) weed pressure, (3) insects’ population, and (4) establishment success rate for hedgerows.
Soil Health
To evaluate the benefits of hedgerows on soil health, we conducted baseline soil sampling on April 4, 2024, in both the hedgerow and the unplanted control areas. Samples were sent to the lab and analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, organic matter, and micronutrients. We collected bulk density data on April 10, 2024, and conducted soil water infiltration data collection on Nov. 8, 2024.
As this study only began last year, data collection on soil health is still ongoing, and analysis has not yet been completed.
Weed Pressure
To evaluate the benefits of hedgerows on weed control, we made a pre-emergent spray to control the weeds in the hedgerow area on April 2, 2024, before the experiment began. We used a tank mix of glyphosate + glufosinate + 2,4-D at their highest label rates and applied using a 10foot, handheld boom at 20 gallons of spray per acre. We assessed weed pressure in the hedgerow area and the unplanted control
Figure 1: Demonstration setup and area. The yellow squares between the hedgerow plants represent the areas seeded with California poppies (Eschscholzia californica).
(Hedgerows) may potentially improve soil health and lower costs for maintaining field edges and permanent levees.
area monthly from May to September in 2024. Data collection included the percent cover of hedgerow plant species, weeds (grasses and broadleaf species), bare soil, and straw. The first-year species composition data (Fig. 2) indicates significant differences between hedgerow plots and unplanted control areas. Specifically, we observed an increase in broadleaf weeds in the hedgerow plots over the summer, likely due to irrigation. The hedgerows also appeared to have much less residual straw, suggesting that irrigation may accelerate straw decomposition.
Insect Populations
To evaluate the benefits of hedgerows on insect populations, we used pit traps (in the ground) to collect the crawling insects and sticky traps to collect flying insects. We set up three pit traps and three sticky traps from the east, center, and west sections of the hedgerow area and unplanted control area and collected data monthly from May to September in 2024. in addition to traps, we used insect nets to sample insects from the tops of hedgerow plants, unplanted control areas, and adjacent rice fields. We conducted sweeps once each from the east, center, and west sections of both the hedgerow and unplanted control areas. We also conducted three sweeps at 40, 80, and 120 feet from the edge of both the hedgerow and unplanted control areas. like the traps, insect sweeps were performed monthly from May to September in 2024.
As this study only began last year, data collection on insect population is still ongoing, and analysis has not yet been completed. However, we noticed an increased presence of praying mantises in the hedgerow areas, suggesting potential benefits in attracting more beneficial insects.
Establishment Success Rate for Hedgerows
To evaluate the establishment success rate for hedgerow plants, we evaluated which plants survived the planting and established well. in May, July, and September 2024, we collected survivability
2: Percent cover in the hedgerow and untreated control of broadleaves, grasses, soil, straw, and hedgerow plants. Measurements were taken in 15 random 1 m x 1 m quadrants monthly per area starting at 1 month after planting.
3:
survival of the transplanted coffeeberry, deergrass, and willow at 1 month, 3 months, and 5 months after planting.
data by counting the number of alive and dead plants for each hedgerow species. The survivability percentage = (the number of living plants/the total number of plants initially planted) * 100.
The first-year survivability data (Fig. 3) indicates coffeeberry appears less suitable as a hedgerow species in this particular location, potentially due to its intolerance to flooding. Willow and deer grass, however, may be better options. The hedgerow species’ survival rate can be affected by the transplanting, so it is important to ensure the correct transplanting methods are used. improper transplanting can lead
to transplant shock, which may decrease plant survival. Hedgerow species could also be significantly affected by pesticide drift, particularly if pesticides are applied by air. This applies to both organic or conventional pesticides. To minimize pesticide exposure, it is important to maintain buffer zones between spray fields and hedgerows. Additionally, using larger spray droplets, applying pesticides during calm weather, and adjusting nozzle settings can help reduce drift. At this site, we collected phytotoxicity data and found no phytotoxicity present after the adjacent rice field had a herbicide application.
Figure
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Weedy Rice is an Increasing Threat to Continuous Production
Integrated Approach Aims to Preserve the Provisia and Max-Ace Technologies
By Ford Baldwin
My career as a rice weed scientist began at the University of Arkansas in 1974. While barnyardgrass was the No. 1 weed problem in rice, weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) was the most di cult-to-control weed. Before the introduction of Clear eld rice in the early 2000s, the primary means of managing weedy rice was through crop rotation and striving for the complete prevention of seed production in the rotated crop. is zero-tolerance principle comes full circle in this article.
I have participated in developing and using the Clear eld and FullPage rice technologies, which made weedy rice management in the cultivated rice crop relatively easy until recent years. I am now witnessing an expansion in the types of weedy rice along with the widespread failure of the Clear eld and FullPage systems on this weed. e recent introduction of the quizalofop-tolerant rice technologies, Provisia and Max-Ace, o er an e ective control option. However, unless the quizalofop-tolerant technologies are better managed, they will be very short-lived, with no new weedy rice control technologies on the foreseeable horizon.
The Problem
population was controlled by the herbicides used in Clear eld and FullPage rice. While the Clear eld and FullPage technologies offer residual and post-emergence control options for other weeds, these systems have become ine ective for weedy rice control.
Horizon Ag commercialized Provisia in 2018, with Max-Ace rice from RiceTec following in 2021. Many growers viewed these technologies as a tool they could rotate with Clear eld or FullPage rice to solve their weedy rice problem. Recent resistance screening data suggests otherwise. Of the 140 weedy rice samples tested by Dr. Norsworthy over the past three years, 15 samples were resistant to quizalofop (Provisia or Highcard) herbicide. Of those 15 positive samples, 11 were from elds where continuous rice had been grown, and no eld history accompanied sample submission for the other four resistant samples.
No resistant samples came from elds rotated to soybean within a two- to three-year period. Perhaps the big hammer is that all 15 quizalofop-resistant samples were also resistant to the imidazolinone herbicides used in Clear eld and FullPage rice. erefore, relying only on rotation from quizalofop-tolerant rice (Provisia or Max-Ace) to one of the imidazolinone technologies (Cleareld or FullPage) for weedy rice control is futile.
Data from Dr. Jason Norsworthy, distinguished professor at the University of Arkansas, provides a graphic description of the weedy rice problem. Dr. Norsworthy stated in a recent presentation that of 140 weedy rice populations tested since 2022, only one
roughout my career, I have frequently made the statement, “ e weeds are talking, is anybody listening?” e weeds will tell you what you need to do. e rst thing the weeds are telling us is the weedy rice problem is greatest in continuous rice. Much of
Weedy rice infested rice field
this is in zero-grade fields that were constructed for the purpose of growing continuous rice. There are situations where this is no longer sustainable.
The second thing the weeds are telling us is the provisia and Max-Ace technologies are prone to fail quickly without proper stewardship — more so than what occurred with the imidazolinone-tolerant rice technologies. Since the quizalofop-resistant weedy rice is also resistant to the imidazolinone herbicides, rotation between provisia or Max-Ace with Clearfield or Fullpage is destined to fail quickly, rendering all technologies useless. The obvious answer is an integrated approach to weedy rice management utilizing all tools in the toolbox.
The Integrated Approach
The program outlined here targets fields where weedy rice has become enough of an issue for farmers to switch to provisia and Max-Ace rice. The components in the program have been thoroughly researched by Dr. Norsworthy and others with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. They have been successfully put into practice by Terry Gray, a zero-grade rice farmer at Delaplaine, Arkansas, who had created and has now solved a severe weedy rice problem.
The first component of an integrated system involves crop rotation. Yes, that means growing soybeans in zero-grade fields, when most growers either do not wish to, or they believe they will be unsuccessful doing so. Terry Gray recently told me “it can be done — we aren’t setting records, but we are being successful growing soybeans, and we are cleaning up fields.” Therefore, before depending heavily on provisia or Max-Ace rice, plant the field to soybean or, as an alternative, fallow it.
in the soybean crop (or fallow), the goal is 100% control of weedy rice — as in 1974, none must go to seed! Overlap residuals such as metolachlor (Dual) or pyroxasulfone (Zidua). Both are highly effective on weedy rice. Use high rates of glyphosate (roundup) and glyphosate plus glufosinate (liberty) mixtures — whatever it takes for 100% prevention of seed production. While glufosinate can struggle on some grasses, it is highly effective in controlling weedy rice.
The second component is to plant provisia or Max-Ace rice the following year and meticulously follow the recommendations on the provisia or Highcard labels. The key to success here is early timing. Both Dr. Norsworthy and Terry Gray emphasize that the first provisia or Highcard application be made to two-leaf rice. in both programs, soil residual herbicides should be overlapped for
Summary and Keys to Success
To manage problem weedy rice fields and preserve the quizalofop-tolerant technology, the following program is suggested:
Year 1. Rotate to soybean and implement a zero-tolerance program for weedy rice seed production.
Year 2. Plant Provisia or Max-Ace rice and make optimum use of the respective herbicide for those systems. In addition, utilize Rogue SC post-flood as part of a planned program. Move the preflood quizalofop application up one week, flood immediately after application, and then apply Rogue as soon as possible.
Year 3. Rotate back to soybean before attempting to grow rice again. This will allow a third attempt to control any weedy rice that may have escaped the first two years. While this may seem extreme to a zero-grade rice producer, it allows the opportunity to subsequently grow rice in these fields when it is likely to be lost otherwise.
grass control to maximize the weedy rice coverage and control with provisia or Highcard. A second application of provisia or Highcard should be made immediately before flooding, and the field should be flooded as soon as possible.
Quizalofop herbicide has no residual activity, meaning that every day between application and flood establishment is an opportunity for weedy rice to emerge. Furthermore, the lack of residual control with quizalofop makes grass control more challenging than in the Clearfield/Fullpage systems, where imidazolinone herbicides have provided residual control up to flood establishment. Dr. Norsworthy even suggests a third application of provisia be made as soon as the flood is established to control any weedy rice above the flood. Both Dr. Norsworthy and Terry Gray emphasize moving the flood date up at least a week. Terry says “begin trying to flood three-leaf rice and hope you get it done by four-leaf.”
The third component in this system is utilizing rogue SC herbicide applied as soon as the flood is stabilized. The rogue SC will control susceptible strains of weedy rice at most any stage and will suppress all strains that are completely covered with the flood water. rogue SC is a key component in controlling any weedy rice missed by the provisia or Highcard and other weeds such as sprangletop, aquatics, and annual sedges.
Following this year of provisia or Max-Ace rice, consider rotating back to soybean. Soybean provides the potential for three years of zero tolerance for weedy rice seed production before rotating back to the rice of your choice. if ANY weedy rice produces seed in the provisia or Max-Ace system, the chances for outcrossing are very high, and outcrossing will render these technologies useless.
The program outlined here targets fields where weedy rice has become enough of an issue for farmers to switch to Provisia and Max-Ace rice.
No Palmer Amaranth Tolerance is Advisable in Row Rice
A New Weed Science Society of America Article Shows the Need to Deploy Multiple Control Measures to Protect Rice Grain Production in a Furrow-irrigated System
Arecently published article in the journal Weed Science demonstrates just how devastating palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) can be for furrow-irrigated rice production, even in small amounts. The findings show that successful, in-furrow rice production greatly hinges on palmer amaranth-free fields — before, during, and after the growing season.
“palmer amaranth that emerged one week before the crop caused the greatest yield reduction in the study, with grain yield loss of 50% where rice was within 40 centimeters, or about 15 inches, from the weed,” Tanner King, weed science ph.D. student at Mississippi State University, Weed Science Society of America member scientist, and corresponding author for the study, said. “Yet, even a single palmer amaranth plant emerging within three to four weeks after rice emergence still has the potential to negatively impact rice growing within 1.2 square meters, or almost 13 square feet.”
King and his team conducted their research during 2022 and 2023 at the Milo J. Shult Agriculture research and Extension Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their goal was to determine how palmer amaranth’s emergence time impacted rice grain yield and palmer amaranth seed production in a furrow-irrigated system.
“As herbicide options for palmer amaranth control become less available and furrow-irrigated rice production increases, it’s critical to understand the weed’s biological effects on rice yields and incorporate successful weed management programs into this system,” King said. “Based on the palmer amaranth seed production data from our study, female palmer amaranth plants that emerge three to four weeks after rice can still successfully contribute offspring to the soil seedbank. As a result, producers must focus on minimizing returns to the soil seedbank, which will
“Preventing Palmer amaranth from reaching reproductive maturity will require a combination of control measures throughout the growing season, including the use of residual preemergence herbicides, considering effective weed control options decline once weeds become established in a field.” — Tanner King
subsequently help mitigate the additional emergence of palmer amaranth seedlings in future growing seasons.”
Fields free from palmer amaranth prior to planting proved critical for successful grain yield in the study, as did controlling the weed throughout the season. “rice yield loss was most severe when palmer amaranth emerged one week before the crop, which captures a worst-case scenario for a producer in the event a burndown application fails to control all weeds before planting,” King said. Yet, “Due to the consequences from allowing palmer amaranth to compete with rice throughout the growing season, and the need to prevent weed seed dispersal at harvest, producers should place extreme emphasis on the ‘zero tolerance’ approach regardless of when the weed emerges.”
Season-long palmer amaranth weed
control is no easy task, but the rewards are justifiable. “preventing palmer amaranth from reaching reproductive maturity will require a combination of control measures throughout the growing season, including the use of residual preemergence herbicides, considering effective weed control options decline once weeds become established in a field,” King said. “Although not assessed in this study, the monetary losses associated with palmer amaranth interference in furrow-irrigated rice are exacerbated when harvest efficiency and quality are negatively impacted and the economic impact of palmer amaranth escapes in rice will extend well beyond the year in which plants are allowed to compete and produce seed.”
This article is provided by the Weed Science Society of America.
Insect Defense
DR. JARROD T. HARDKE ARKANSAS
Professor/Rice Extension Agronomist University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture jhardke@uada.edu
Insect control in Arkansas rice starts up front before the seed hits the ground. Rice water weevil and grape colaspis are our worrisome early season insect pests, and the below-ground damage they cause is di cult to combat.
For years, we have recommended the use of an insecticide seed treatment to control rice water weevil and grape colaspis. is recommendation continues with a primary focus on a neonicotinoid such as Cruiser or NipsIt. ese not only provide control of both pests but have also been documented to increase early season vigor and growth of rice.
A bonus is that they also seem to help plant growth in the face of herbicide dri events. e downside to the neonicotinoid seed treatments is that their e cacy against rice water weevil begins to lessen as we exceed 35 days a er planting before going to ood.
In recent years, further testing of diamide seed treatments in rice (Dermacor and Fortenza) has shown the bene ts of adding these products to a neonicotinoid treatment. e diamides have better e cacy against rice water weevil and the control lasts longer. While it is an extra cost to add to the seed, the data points to the treatments paying for themselves even when insect pressure is low.
Rice stink bugs are a persistent concern each growing season. While we do not always know to what degree they’ll show up, we ultimately know that they will be there at some point. Increased resistance to pyrethroid insecticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin has made these products limited in their utility and they should mostly be avoided.
Instead, we now only have one e ective labeled insecticide for rice stink bug (RSB) control and that is Tenchu (a neonicotinoid). While the cost is greater for Tenchu than the pyrethroids, the residual control seems to be improved at recommended rates, which limits the need for multiple applications.
Also important to this conversation is a change to our RSB threshold recommendations. For many years, the threshold has been to treat when ve RSB are found per 10 sweeps the rst two weeks of heading, then increase to 10 RSB per 10 sweeps the second two weeks of heading. Research over the past 10 years has led us to change to a season-long threshold of 10 RSB per 10 sweeps. All this recent data points to no loss in grain yield or milling yield, and no increase in peck, with the new threshold compared to the old threshold.
Treat the seed up front to protect from tough-to-control, root-feeding insects and follow the new RSB threshold late in the season. ese will be keys to maximizing our insect control in 2025 and minimizing our inputs.
Rice Water Weevil
DR. RONNIE LEVY LOUISIANA
Extension Rice Specialist
Louisiana State University
RLevy@agcenter.lsu.edu
e rice water weevil is the most important insect pest of rice in Louisiana and throughout the Mid-South. e pest is ubiquitous throughout Louisiana’s rice growing regions, and damaging infestations are common. Yield losses in excess of 25% can occur from severe infestations. A management program should be implemented in every rice eld, every year to avoid losses.
Rice water weevil adults are grayish-brown weevils (beetles) about 1/8-inch long with a dark brown V-shaped area on their backs. Adults of this insect emerge from overwintering sites beginning in early April in southern Louisiana (later in northern Louisiana). Adults then y to rice elds, where they feed on young rice leaves. is form of injury is not economically important except under unusually heavy infestations or prolonged cold springs when rice grows slowly.
Damaged roots
Adult RWW feeding
Larva RWW
Adult RWW
Oviposition (egg-laying) commences when standing water is present in a eld that is infested with adults. is condition is usually met immediately a er a permanent ood is applied to a eld. Young rice is preferred for oviposition. White, legless, c-shaped larvae with small brown head capsules emerge from eggs in about seven days. A er hatching from eggs, larvae burrow into the mud and begin feeding on the roots of rice plants. e larvae continue to feed in or on the roots of rice plants and weeds in and around the eld developing through four instars in about 27 days.
Larvae increase in size with each succeeding molt. Fourth instar larvae are about 3/16-inch long. Peak larval density occurs three to ve weeks a er ooding. Mature larvae pupate and oval pupae remain attached to the roots until adult emergence. Pupae are covered with a compacted layer of mud and resemble small mud balls when roots are cleaned. Adults then either migrate to surrounding rice elds or overwintering sites.
Adults emerging from overwintering will invade either unooded or ooded rice elds and begin feeding on the leaves of rice plants. One key aspect of the biology of female rice water
weevils is that females do not lay many eggs until elds are ooded. In un ooded elds, females may lay eggs in areas of elds that contain standing water, such as low spots, potholes, or tractor tire tracks.
Application of the permanent ood is a trigger for females to lay numerous eggs in leaf sheaths of rice plants. Females deposit white, elongate eggs in the leaf sheath at or below the waterline. In addition to rice, adult rice water weevils will oviposit in most aquatic grasses and sedges, including barnyard grass, fall panicum, red rice, yellow nutsedge, and broadleaf signalgrass. us, the presence of these weeds on levees surrounding rice elds may make the elds more susceptible to attack by rice water weevil adults.
e life cycle from egg to adult takes about 30 days. e length of the life cycle is temperature-dependent, however, and can vary from 25 to 45 days in warm and cool weather, respectively. e number of generations per year varies with latitude. As many as three to four generations can occur in the southern rice-growing areas of Louisiana.
"A variety of cultural and chemical controls can control rice water weevils in rice fields. Cultural strategies include planting rice early in the season rather than late, delaying the application of permanent flood and perhaps managing weeds in and around rice fields," says Dr. Ronnie Levy.
Adult rice water weevils feed on the upper surface of rice leaves, leaving narrow longitudinal scars that parallel the midrib. Adult feeding can kill plants when large numbers of weevils attack very young rice, but this is rare and is usually localized along the field borders.
Most economic damage is caused by larvae feeding in or on rice roots. Under heavy infestation, the root systems of affected plants can be severely damaged. This feeding or root pruning results in a reduction in the number of tillers and in the amount of aboveground plant material produced by the damaged plant. root pruning may interfere with nutrient uptake by plants. Damage to roots ultimately can result in yield losses by decreasing panicle densities, numbers of grains per panicle, and grain weights. plants with severely pruned root systems will appear stunted and may turn yellow and appear to be nitrogen deficient. infested stands are often thin in appearance and are more susceptible to lodging. At harvest, plants from heavily infested fields will be shorter than normal and have lower yields. Each larva found in a 4-inch (diameter) by 3-inch (deep) core sample is associated with an approximately 0.5% to 1.5% loss in yield. Yield losses tend to be higher in water-seeded rice fields. losses are higher because these fields are usually flooded at an earlier stage of plant growth and thus are susceptible to oviposition and infestation by larvae earlier. Young rice plants are more susceptible to yield losses than older plants with more established root systems.
A variety of cultural and chemical controls can control rice water weevils in rice fields. Cultural strategies include planting rice early in the season rather than late, delaying the application of permanent flood and perhaps managing weeds in and around rice fields. However, insecticides are often needed in addition to cultural control tactics to prevent yield losses.
insecticide management practices for the rice water weevil are evolving as pesticides are added to and removed from the integrated pest management plan. These insecticides fall into three general categories: (1) prophylactic seed treatments, (2) early post-flood adulticides, and (3) larvicides. For the most current list of registered pesticides, please consult lSU AgCenter publications 1838 (“pest Management Guide”) and 2270 (“rice Varieties and Management Tips”) found on the lSU AgCenter website: www.lSUAgCenter.com.
The Usual Suspects
DR. LUIS ESPINO CALIFORNIA
Rice Farming Systems Advisor University of California Cooperative Extension laespino@ucanr.edu
Time to round up the usual suspects! When talking about arthropod control in California, the usual suspects are rice seed midge, tadpole shrimp, and armyworms. i will focus on rice seed midge and tadpole shrimp in light of recent pyrethroid exceedances detected in the Sacramento Valley.
The challenge with both rice seed midge and tadpole shrimp is that they are difficult pests to scout for and their injury can go undetected and can happen quickly. Unlike shrimp, midge does not muddy the water, so its presence can go unnoticed. Midge larvae construct small silken tubes that get covered in soil and are attached to the seed. These tubes are about the length of a seed and visible with the naked eye. in fields that take long to flood or where there is a delay in seeding, the tubes can be seen even before seeding. Midge larvae hide in the tubes and feed on the seed, hollowing it.
Usually, we suspect a field may have shrimp when the water is muddy (and there’s no wind). However, small shrimp won’t muddy water but can injure rice. Once you can see shrimp with the naked eye, they can cause damage. Shimp grow very fast, and they can go from “invisible” to large in just a couple of days. Shrimp will feed on the shoots of the seed as it germinates; they will not hollow the seed like midge does.
late planted fields, or seeding during periods of high temperature, increases the risk of damage by both pests. Seeding in fields that have been flooded for four days or longer also increases the risk.
Unfortunately, we do not have traditional thresholds for these pests. it is difficult to count midge or shrimp in the field. instead, we rely on the number of healthy seedlings per square foot. remember that at a seeding rate of 180 pounds per acre, you are broadcasting about 60 seeds per square foot. The optimum number of plants per square foot to maximize yields is 25, but rice is able to compensate as stands decrease. Many other factors will affect stand, so you want to be as close to the 25 as possible.
i use a small aquarium net to scoop seeds/seedlings and shrimp during windy days when the water is muddy. inspect the seeds/ seedlings and determine if they have been injured. if the number of seedlings per square foot is less than 25 and either midge or shrimp are present, an insecticide is needed. rice is susceptible to both pests during the period of germination, but once the root is anchored in the soil and you have a well-developed spike, seedlings are less susceptible to damage. if you “leather” your field (drain very soon after seeding), then midge or shrimp won’t be an issue and no insecticide treatment will be needed.
Hollowing of seed caused by rice seed midge.
From Dallas to the Delta: An Unlikely Journey into Agriculture
My journey into agriculture, particularly rice in the Mid-South, is anything but conventional. i grew up in the heart of Dallas, Texas. That’s not to say i didn’t have a connection to agriculture. like a lot of folks post World War ii, my grandparents left the High plains of West Texas and rural Kentucky and Arkansas to make their way to the growing metropolis of Dallas in a changing world. Growing up, we’d visit my extended family in West Texas who raised cotton and cattle. i can remember my youngest sister coming home and telling people about going to visit “our farm,” which was quite a stretch.
Fast forward to the end of high school and deciding on college — other than going to some friend’s ranches on the weekends and seeing a cow every now and then, agriculture wasn’t even a blip on my radar. Despite having almost no connection to the state or region at all, and like all well-guided 18-year-olds from Dallas, i ended up at the University of Mississippi. The Good lord has always been gracious, and this decision, despite my lack of forethought, set me on a course i could have never predicted.
asked a couple fine gentlemen who could teach me how to grow rice. The conversation went something like, “Tim, go see Gary pongetti.” My ignorant response was probably, “he can help me?” The phrase i’ll never forget — “Son, that man has webbed feet; he’ll teach you everything you need to know about growing rice.”
And he did. With his guidance, i planted nearly 40 acres of Clearfield 151 with a six-foot Great plains food plot drill on some Arkansas prairie-like contours. He showed me how to pull levees, install gates, patch levees, run and patch poly pipe, and optimize water and fertilizer use. i thought that stuff in Montana was work. Needless to say, there’s a lot of perspective to be gained in a rice field in Mississippi in the summer. The people who helped me grow that little rice crop are too many to list, but i am forever grateful to them.
After a brief stint back in Texas, i decided i wanted to pursue a more formal career in agriculture in the Delta. i connected with Dr. Tim Walker who’d recently taken over as general manager at Horizon Ag. Horizon had an open sales position covering Mississippi and North louisiana. Dr. Walker took a chance on me, and that opportunity set the course for the next decade of my life.
“Agriculture has a way of pulling people in, often from unexpected places.”
The summer after my freshman year proved a turning point. i had the opportunity to work on a cattle ranch in southern Montana. it was a life-changing experience. i was exposed to production agriculture for the first time. i learned to drive equipment, irrigate, work cattle, and truly work hard. i also didn’t see a mosquito all summer, could move hay all day, and barely break a sweat. if it hadn’t been for my mother’s strong objections, i might’ve never left. But i returned to the South where my education in agriculture took an unexpected and exciting turn.
That return led me to two things i never knew existed: the Mississippi Delta and waterfowl hunting. Through the graciousness of Mike “Catfish” Flautt, i received as thorough an introduction to the Delta as anyone could hope for. A very long story short, i spent most of college and a couple of years after college chasing ducks and managing waterfowl property in Mississippi. During that time, my employer was adamant about growing rice for waterfowl on the property. Ole Miss lacked rice Growing 101 on the curriculum, so i did what anybody would: i went to town to Jimmy Sanders and
Working at Horizon with folks like Dr. Walker, luElla Sprout, Dr. Sunny Bottoms, Michael Fruge, and Garrett Williams, was a life-changing experience. The same could be said about the rice industry itself. Being involved in this industry introduced me to some of the finest people i’ve ever known. Many of my closest friends, mentors, and even my wife are the result of my time in rice. i owe a great deal to the U.S. rice industry and to the Delta farmers who embraced and educated me along the way.
in 2023, my career took another turn when i accepted a position with Conterra Ag Capital to help build our business in the MidSouth and Delta region. Working at Conterra allows me to stay in the agricultural space and continue serving the customers and areas where i had existing relationships.
reflecting on this journey — from a Dallas suburb to the rice fields of the Delta — i’m deeply grateful for the mentors, friendships, and experiences that have shaped my career. Agriculture has a way of pulling people in, often from unexpected places. For me, it started with a summer job in Montana, a passion for waterfowl hunting, and the wisdom of men with “webbed feet.” it’s been a remarkable ride, and i wouldn’t change a thing.
— Tim Jett Memphis, Tenn.
Rice Farming’s My Turn column is devoted to telling unusual “farm tales” or timely stories from individuals in the rice industry. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got an interesting story to tell, send a short summary to cnemec@onegrower.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tim Jett
875 W. Poplar Ave., Suite 23, Box 305 Collierville, TN 38017
ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED Don’t
