UCCE Sutter-Yuba Rice and Wild Rice Program
The UCCE Sutter-Yuba Rice and Wild Rice Program provides science-based research and extension to support rice and wild rice production in Sutter, Yuba, Placer, and Sacramento counties. These counties represent a substantial portion of California’s rice-growing region. The program works closely with growers, Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), consultants, commodity groups, and industry partners to address production, pest management, and sustainability challenges.
Program Areas
Agronomic Production
The program evaluates rice varieties across diverse production environments and provides guidance for both rice and wild rice on planting methods, fertility management, and irrigation systems. In rice, research and outreach supports both traditional flooded systems and alternative practices such as drill-seeding and no-till rice.
Weed Management and Herbicide Resistance
A major focus of the program is weed management, including weedy rice and herbicide-resistant watergrass (Echinochloa spp.). Activities include statewide surveys, field diagnostics, herbicide efficacy trials, and evaluation of best management practices. Outreach emphasizes early detection, sanitation, resistance management, and integrated weed control strategies.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
The program promotes IPM-based approaches for managing insects, diseases, and weeds. Efforts include pest monitoring, applied research trials, collaboration with UC IPM, and timely pest advisories to support informed decision-making and responsible pesticide use.
Climate-Smart and Sustainable Practices
Research and extension activities evaluate practices that improve long-term system resilience, including cover cropping, hedgerows, no-till systems, and alternative irrigation strategies. These practices are assessed for agronomic performance, environmental benefits, and economic feasibility.
University of California - Rice Projects
University of California Rice Projects
UCCE Sutter-Yuba Rice Notes Newsletters Wild Rice News Newsletters
Newsletter and meeting announcements published by Whitney Brim-DeForest for rice.
RECENT RICE NEWSLETTERS:
In This Issue
• Riceworm moth (Apamea apamiformis): Background and Update
• An Update on The Wild Rice Pest Management Strategic Plan
• Loyant™ CA Registered for Use in Wild Rice
- Save the Dates!
- 2025 was a spread-out planting season for California rice
- Summary of the California Rice Commission Report: A Conservation Footprint for California Rice
- 2025 Pest Issues Update
- Drill seeding: How deep is too deep?
- Can we do better? An attempt to improve scouting for tadpole shrimp using a novel sampler
- Weed Updates 2025
- Save the Dates!
- Summary of the 2024 Variety Trails
- Chlorine Seed Treatments
- Emergency Commodity Assistance Program: Long and Medium Grain Rice Qualify for Relief
- The Usual Suspects
- Late Season Control Options for Watergrass-2025 Updates
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Contact Information
University of California Cooperative Extension
email: wbrimdeforest@ucanr.edu