Here on the Grand Prairie, rice and ducks are the focus of our cultural identity and local economy. These two rural industries are iconic to the Grand Prairie and go hand in hand. For the economy of the Grand Prairie to survive, rice and ducks must survive. The White River bottoms must remain hydrologically connected to the river, keeping wetlands of international importance alive. Local rice farmers must retain control of the water; and they must also implement new technology and best management practices for the rice industry to become sustainable.
Our groundwater is declining but the Grand Prairie Area Demonstration Project, a huge and costly water diversion project, is not the answer. We need a solution that will empower landowners to raise rice and other crops in a sustainable manner. There are several ways to accomplish this task:
implement existing farm programs that conserve water utilize new irrigation technology indicate alternative crops and low water varieties evaluate new technology as it becomes availableWater solutions should consider stakeholder input, scientific data, economic and cultural identity, and uphold local, state, and federal water laws.
The U of A Survey Research Center conducted a Grand Prairie Landowners Survey in September of 2009. Results of the survey indicated that 58% of the landowners were favorable toward an alternative plan that involves new technology and water conservation best management practices while 25% were unsure. A small percentage (17%), were opposed to an alternative plan to the GPADP.
I have listed below several websites for information and field trial results using center pivot and linear irrigation systems. The Circles for Rice website listed below highlights field trials that give up to a 50% water savings. Center pivot and linear irrigation systems have been around a long time but techniques and practices have been refined to the point where they provide a viable alternative to traditional rice growing. Please take a look at the websites and record your comments. Starting a dialog is our first step to finding ways to solve our water problems.
Rice Production under Center Pivots & Linears
Rice Production and the Endeavor to Conserve Water
Rice Under Pivot: Mechanized irrigation trial held on Arkansas farm
By Carroll Smith, Editor, RiceFarming.com
Growing High-Yielding Rice Under a Zimmatic Pivot Irrigation System
McCarty Farm Case Study
Osceola, Arkansas, rice grower Michael McCarty is partnering with Lindsay Corporation, maker of Zimmatic irrigation systems, on one of the country’s first large-scale commercial rice research projects involving pivot irrigation systems. The pivot irrigated rice yielded competitively with flood irrigated rice and cost less per acre to produce.
Estimating Irrigation Costs
Circles for Rice
Valmont Irrigation is currently overseeing research on producing rice under center pivots and linears in an effort to conserve water and energy, as well as expand the area in which rice can be produced. This initiative is appropriately titled Circles for Rice. The website provides a link to the Circles For Rice blog. There is current information including results from field trials in Arkansas, Missouri, and Brazil.
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