Planning
Prior to planting rice, rice growers must ensure their farm meets the strict environmental guidelines for rice production. Once approved, many farmers design a whole farm plan to assist in managing the efficient use of natural resources and to determine the most suitable rotations. Many rice growers have already invested in designing whole farm plans.
Most farms use laser-guided land leveling techniques to prepare the ground for production. Laser leveling is one of the most effective and widely adopted techniques to improve water management. Farmers have precise control over the flow of water on and off the paddock. Such measurement strategies have contributed to a 60% improvement in water use efficiency.
Most of the rice is sown by aircraft in Australia. Experienced agriculturalpilots use satellite guidance technology to broadcast seed accurately over the fields.
The Cycle of Rice
Growing
Rice can only be grown on soils that are deemed suitable by the irrigation corporations and/or the New South Wales Department of Natural Resources. Rice growing is concentrated in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of southern New South Wales, with small areas of rice grown in north-eastern Victoria. It is concentrated in this area due to large areas of flat land, suitable claybased soils, the availability of water, and the development of storage and milling infrastructure in or near the regional towns. Rice seeds are planted in September. Through September until February, the rice plant grows a main stem and a number of tillers. Each rice plant will produce four or five tillers. Every tiller grows a flowering head or panicle. The panicle produces the rice grains. Rice crops are grown in 5 – 25cm of water depending on growing conditions.
Rice can only be grown on soils that are deemed suitable by the irrigation corporations and/or the New South Wales Department of Natural Resources. Rice growing is concentrated in the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of southern New South Wales, with small areas of rice grown in north-eastern Victoria. It is concentrated in this area due to large areas of flat land, suitable claybased soils, the availability of water, and the development of storage and milling infrastructure in or near the regional towns. Rice seeds are planted in September. Through September until February, the rice plant grows a main stem and a number of tillers. Each rice plant will produce four or five tillers. Every tiller grows a flowering head or panicle. The panicle produces the rice grains. Rice crops are grown in 5 – 25cm of water depending on growing conditions.
Harvesting
As the grain begins to mature, the farmers ‘lock up’ the water on the bays. This means no water leaves the paddock, it is fully utilised by the rice plant. The soil then dries out in time for harvest to commence.
As the grain begins to mature, the farmers ‘lock up’ the water on the bays. This means no water leaves the paddock, it is fully utilised by the rice plant. The soil then dries out in time for harvest to commence.
Farmers use large, conventional grain harvesters to mechanically harvest rice in autumn. Once harvested, the rice is commonly named paddy rice. This is the name given to unmilled rice with its protective husk in place
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