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Planting Dates and Seeding Rates Garrison Hardke
As we are emerging from a long and cold winter, thoughts are quickly turning to rice planting. The two questions that growers ask the most every planting season are when should I plant? and how much should I plant?. At RiceTec, we love research and we love to share our data with growers, but farmers are busy and most just want the answer so they can get on with business. To the point, here are the research backed answers to the questions of planting dates and seeding rates. The typical rule of thumb to begin planting rice is March 15th for the Gulf Coast region and April 1st for the Mid-South region. The true answer is that planting should begin when soil reaches 60 degrees at a 4 inch depth for 2-3 days. This means that the planting window can vary some, so check your soil temperature and look at the 10 day 2012-2013 forecast. If its March 25th, the soil Average Yield/Planting Date temperature is right, and the forecast is warm, Data from RiceTec- Harrisburg, AR Station youre probably safe to plant. By the same 14000 token, if the soil doesnt reach 60 degrees until 12000 11952 April 5th, your seed is safer in the bag because 11471 11147 10000 its too cold to germinate. As the planting date 9135 8000 chart to the right shows, April planting dates 6000 are the highest yielding, while late March and 4000 early May planting dates show similar yields. Late May and early June planting dates remain 2000 profitable with RiceTec hybrids, but specific 0 March April May June conditions must be taken into account. As this data was taken from small plot research, the These data are not a guarantee of performance, nor do they constitute a warranty of fitness for a particular use. specific yields are less important than the pattern itself. While seeding rates are important, they are simply a means to an end. Optimum stand density is the primary goal, so seeding rate should be determined by how many seeds it takes to achieve the proper number of plants. The short answer for current RiceTec hybrids is that you need at least 4 plants per sq/ft to have maximum yield potential. In the chart to the right, stand density at about 4 plants per sq/ft and greater shows no statistical difference across 2 years and 17 locations. Noted in the bottom right corner, even a seeding rate of 300,000 seeds per acre, with stand density of 3.8 plants per sq/ ft, demonstrated a 21 bushel/acre advantage over the variety CL151.
CLXL745 2012-2013 Large Scale Seeding Rate Trials
10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 8154b 71 8309ab 71 59
Yield (lbs/ac)

Planting 2014

Published for the customers of RiceTec, Inc.

8318ab
71

8317ab 71 58

8420a 70 59

60

60

3.8

5.0

5.9

6.7

7.9

100.0 90.0 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0

17 locations Yield LSD 131.2 CV 2.26

Yield (lbs/ac)

Stand/sq.ft.
Total milling Whole milling
CL151 results 7,192lbs 60/69

Check our website for

the latest news, economic models, and yield forecasts. To sign up for the RiceTec podcast, email Dr. Brian Ottis at bottis@ricetec.com

300,000 400,000 450,000 500,000 600,000 Seeding Rate (seeds/ac)

These data are not a guarantee of performance, nor do they constitute a warranty of fitness for a particular use.

The most popular seeding rate is 450,000 seeds per acre (about 22 lbs). This equates to 10.3 seeds per sq/ft, and is generally sufficient to reach the desired stand density. Under tougher conditions (rough seedbed, no-till, broadcast, or heavy clay soils), it may sometimes be wise to increase the seeding rate to compensate for those factors. Although the 600,000 seeding rate (7.9 plants sq/ft) in the chart achieved the highest yield, the 2.3 bushel advantage did not justify the additional seed cost.

Also available on our website: WWW.RICETEC.COM

PLANTING 2014
Drill Calibration
Achieving your desired seeding rate begins with proper grain drill calibration. Begin with the starting points listed on these charts and adjust from there using the instructions below. Instructional videos and interactive calibration worksheets can be found at www.ricetec.com or on the RiceTec apps, available for iPhone and iPad. Contact your RiceTec representative for further assistance.

Garrison Hardke

Measuring flutes on feeder cups below the drill provide a more accurate setting than simply using the numbers on the handle or notch setting.

1. Use the slowest possible drive setting. 2. Set the drill according to the recommended starting point. 3. Fine-tune calibration in each 10 foot section of the drill by:

Drill Calibration Calculation Worksheet Number of cups (5 recom. per section) (A)

4. Verify calibration in the field!

Recording circumference of the drive wheel and row width. Drive wheel Circumference (inches/12) (B) feet Priming seed cups: Number of turns (minimum of 15) (C) 1. Pour enough seed to cover 5 cups. (D) feet 2. Remove seed tubes from the bottom of the hopper box. Distance covered Make sure that the seed tubes removed correlates with the (AxBxC)=D cups that are covered with seed. Calibration by Weight: 3. Turn drive wheels enough to prime the seed cups. It is very Weight of seed caught (grams/454) (E) Lbs important that seed is coming out of each open seed cup. Be Seeds/lb of lot used (F)* sure that there is always seed covering the cup. Row width (inches/12) (G) feet Calibrating drill to suggested seed count per row foot: Number of seeds per: 1. Turn the wheel a minimum of 15 revolutions while Foot of Row (ExF)/D = catching the seed from the 5 open cups. 2. Weigh the seed caught and figure a preliminary number of Square Foot (ExF)/(DxG) = seeds per row foot as indicated in the drill calibration worksheet. Calibration by Seed Count 3. If calibration is within one seed per row foot of target, Number of seeds caught (H) count the seed and calculate final calibration by seed count. Number of seed/row foot H/D =
*Indicated on seed bag

Drill calibration is a service provided by RiceTec and is not a guarantee of achieving target seeding rate. It is the responsibility of the customer to routinely check behind the drill for proper seeding rate.
2

PLANTING 2014
Rice Grain Identity Preservation Stewart Runsick
Identity preservation (IP) of grains is not a new concept. It has been in practice in its simplest form since the beginning of agriculture. IP refers to a system of production, handling, and marketing practices that maintain the integrity and purity of agricultural commodities. The diversity of crops with unique traits has increased the demand for IP programs. This system is in demand in the rice industry as well. Making news recently was an article entitled Identity-preserved hybrid rice making its way into export markets. If you havent already, I would encourage you to read the article. It can be found on our homepage at www.ricetec.com and explains how identity-preserved hybrid rice grain is making a positive impact on sales into the United States largest export market. The goal of IP is to separate individual hybrids/varieties during storage to try and eliminate co -mingling of lines for higher consistency of quality and create greater consumer confidence. Why is this important? Milling and processing performance of rice is different due to different physical and chemical properties among cultivars. Some hybrids tend to mill more quickly due to a thinner bran layer. Grain size, grain maturity, and moisture content at harvest all have an effect on milling yield and quality. Keeping these factors as consistent as possible allows for the highest possible milling yields and processing performance. A successful IP program does not begin at harvest. It starts with proper planning and must be in place throughout the entire production process. The following are things to consider when deciding to IP: plant rice seed only in fields in which rice was not grown the previous year, only plant seed of the same hybrid on the levees, do not plant other rice hybrids or varieties in the same field, clean and inspect all equipment used in connection with planting and harvesting the grain, store rice in clean bins separate from other rice grain, and do not co-mingle or mix grain. RiceTec is committed to quality and is aggressively pushing to establish a system of IP after harvest. Hybrid rice has many advantages over other cultivars that are appealing to certain companies, such as better water use, more efficient nitrogen use, higher per capita yields, and lower methane emissions. We are pursuing and strengthening relationships with processors and industry users that place an importance in these characteristics to develop more markets for hybrid rice grain and our customers. For more information on Identity Preservation, contact your local RiceTec Technical Services Representative.

Clearfield Stewardship
Utilizing Clearfield technology is an investment in your farm. Preserve the technology and make your investment pay off by using these stewardship guidelines. Start clean by applying a burndown herbicide at planting. Apply a residual herbicide, delayed pre -emergence, to increase grass control. Apply two applications of Newpath as labeled or one application of Newpath followed by one application of Clearpath or vice versa. Clearpath may only be substituted for one application of Newpath, but not both. Beyond may be applied as a second application only after an initial application of Newpath or Clearpath. Other tips include: Flush within 2 days of first application Initiate flood within 2 days of 2nd application Maintain weed-free levees and red-rice-free turnrows Control red-rice escapes with Beyond Rogue for red-rice escapes DO NOT ratoon if red-rice present at harvest

Seed Supply Update

Garrison Hardke

RiceTec still has a limited supply of our most popular hybrids available for 2014 planting. In Clearfield technology, CLXL745 and Silver Brand CL are still available. CLXL745 is the most widely planted long -grain rice in America. Silver Brand CL offers similar performance at a more economical price, perfect for those looking to increase seeding rates. In conventional hybrid, XL753 is still available, along with a very small supply of XP760. XL753 is the highest yielding long grain rice on the market, while XP760 is a new RiceTec product similar to the long popular XL723, but with improved grain retention. All other commercial hybrids are currently sold out at this time. If you have not booked your RiceTec levee seed at this point, now is the time to do so. These products are available in both Clearfield and conventional offerings. RiceTec levee products offer a great advantage in yield and disease resistance over varieties planted on levees, and are priced favorably to varieties. These products are in short supply and will not last through planting season. As rice acres seem to be making a late push this year, RiceTec is in the process of positioning additional seed supply at local warehouses throughout each district. This will enable us to better service our customers needs on short notice during the hectic planting season. Seed may be picked up or delivered directly to your farm from these locations. For locations and availability, contact your local RiceTec representative. 3

RiceTec, Inc. P.O. Box 1305 1925 FM 2917 Alvin, TX 77511 15847 Highway 1 Harrisburg, AR 72432 877-580-7423 Fax 877-588-7423

RiceTec Newsletter Planting 2014

Planting Dates and Seeding Rates Drill Calibration Rice Grain Identity Preservation Clearfield Stewardship Seed Supply Update

Technical Services Contacts

District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 District 11 Districts 1 - 2 Districts 3 - 4 Districts 5 - 6 District 7 District 8 Districts 9-10 District 11 Toll-Free Whitney Blake Nick Ragsdell Hunter Jones William Hutchens Whitney Jones Garrison Hardke Jeff Branson Jay Burchfield Nicky Miller Cullen Minter Derrol Grymes 870-273-4988 870-878-1554 870-273-9289 870-273-9291 501-516-6904 501-772-1715 870-578-8436 662-402-2781 337-207-6572 337-499-6498 281-381-9371 870-273-9286 870-243-4696 870-919-6944 870-830-0160 662-719-1034 337-263-4297 281-389-3527

Sales Contacts
DJ Shipman Kurt Johns Jeff Reeves Wes Long Jeff Mosley Mike Worthington Mark Spilman

Customer Services Contact Carla Sullins 877-580-7423

Email addresses for RiceTec representatives available at www.RiceTec.com