We have recently produced a series of videos on weedy rice identification in California. Each video is biotype-specific. Our UC Rice YouTube Channel also has many other recordings from our virtual meetings and webinars. 

 Weedy Rice Type 4

In most years, farmers manage their winter straw by flooding a field where the rice straw has either been chopped or chopped and incorporated. In these cases, the flood water helps to ensure good decomposition. This year however, is different. Many growers are faced with the fact that they will have no water to flood their fields over the winter. Good straw decomposition is important as it will impact nitrogen management decisions the following year. It may also affect the survival of stem rot and aggregate sheath spot sclerotia, the fungus resting structures, in the soil. Too much straw will tie up nitrogen fertilizer early in the season and will also serve as a host for stem rot and aggregate sheath spot. So, what are the options besides burning?

First, removing straw is an option. Driving around, I have seen a lot of straw bailing going on. Bailing rice straw removes about half of the rice straw. This is a good start, but it would still be nice to make sure the rest of it gets decomposed by following the suggestions in the second option.

The second option is to do the best possible to make sure rice straw decomposes without winter flooding. Simply chopping the rice straw and leaving it on the surface will likely not do the trick – especially if there is not much rain over the winter. It is really important to make sure there is good soil-water-straw contact to ensure good decomposition. For this to occur you need to incorporate your rice straw. Studies were conducted here in California in the late 1990s which compared burning, bailing, incorporation and rolling of rice straw. They found that incorporating rice straw resulted in the greatest amount of straw decomposition and the least straw remaining the following spring. This result was seen in both fields that were flooded and those that were not. When the fields are not flooded, rainfall can provide water for good decomposition.

This year will mark the 4th rice-specific course at the Hamilton Road Field and the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs, CA. The UC Rice Pest Management Course 2021 will begin with an interactive field tour of the research plots (Hamilton Road Field) where attendees can get up close to the weeds and rice (BRING YOUR BOOTS!) The course will include hands-on weed identification sessions on emerging and mature weeds and a disease and pest ID session. In the afternoon, speakers will address several pertinent topics in CA rice, including regulatory updates, new herbicides for resistance management, diseases and pests research updates, and how to construct a weed management program. 

The course is a collaborative effort between UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), UC Davis, and the California Rice Experiment Station (CRES.) “This course provides a strong foundation for weed and pest management in California rice, as well as a chance for interaction and discussion with researchers on the latest pests and pest control options for California rice systems” said Whitney Brim-DeForest, UCCE Rice Farm Advisor. The event is a great opportunity for pest control advisers, growers, industry, extension, and interested students to gain a deeper understanding of pest management topics that affect rice.

Enrollment is limited, so register early. The cost is $80 if received by 9/7/2021 and $100 if received after 9/7/2021 (if there is space.) The cost for current students with proof of student status is $40/$50. Online registration closes on 9/7/2021. If there is space, you can register onsite the day of the event. For more details or to register, visit http://wric.ucdavis.edu and click on RICE PEST MANAGEMENT COURSE.

CA DPR and CCA continuing education units pending approval.

If you have questions, contact Whitney Brim-DeForest [wbrimdeforest@ucanr.edu or (530) 822-7515.]

Rice Experiment Station, Biggs, CA

AUGUST 25, 2021

7:30AM-12PM

The annual Rice Field Day will be Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the Rice Experiment Station (RES), Biggs, California. We cordially invite you and your associates to join us for this event. The purpose of the Rice Field Day is to give rice growers and others an opportunity to observe and discuss research in progress at RES. Rice Field Day is sponsored by the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation (CCRRF) and University of California (UC). We also seek and receive support from many agricultural businesses and are planning a rice equipment vendor display.

Following is a brief outline of the Rice Field Day program. We will update the program on our web page at www.crrf.org.

• 7:30 - 8:30 A.M. REGISTRATION
  • Posters and Demonstrations
• 8:30 - 9:15 A.M. GENERAL SESSION
  • CCRRF Annual Membership Meeting
  • Rice Research Trust Report
  • California Rice Industry Award
• 9:30 - NOON FIELD TOURS OF RICE RESEARCH
  • Variety Improvement
  • Disease Resistance
  • Insects and Control
  • Weeds and Control
• 12:00 - NOON LUNCH

The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a General Session that serves as the Annual CCRRF Membership Meeting. Posters and demonstrations will be in place during registration until after lunch. Field tours of research will emphasize progress in rice variety improvement, disease, insect, and weed control. The program will conclude at noon with a lunch that includes rice.

The RES is located at 955 Butte City Highway (Hwy. 162), approximately two and one half miles west of Highway 99 north of Biggs, California.