Comparative Study of Yield, Production Cost and Water Use for Producer Managed FIR (Furrow Irrigated Rice) and Flooded Rice in Clay County Arkansas.
Sustainable Agriculture
Stewart Runsick
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Corning
Abstract
In Arkansas the FIR (furrow irrigated rice) production systems, where rice is grown in rows and on beds, has increase from 4,156 acres to 200,000 acres from 2012 to 2020. The increase in FIR acres is attributed to recent research indicating that FIR can increase yields and reduce water use when compared to the flooded irrigation system, thus making rice production sustainable. To support the above statement field research on producers’ farms was conducted in Arkansas Counties including Clay County. The objective of this research was to study the difference in yield, production cost and water use between FIR and Flooded rice production systems. Based on three years of study (2018-2021) with three different farmers we concluded that average yield of FIR was lower by 15 bushels per acre. The cost of production for FIR was near equal to flooded system per acre whereas FIR fields has lower water usage of 2.5 ac-inch when compared to flooded fields. To summarize it was concluded that there was not much difference in both production systems. High yielding rice can be produced sustainably with less water and tillage. The advantages include time and expense savings, water savings, crop rotation for weed control, and the ability to incorporate no-till by adding a third crop to the bedded production system. Teaching methods included field days showcasing on farm demonstrations, production meetings and in field training. There were 12 on-farm demonstrations, two field days, two production meetings and other educational events where area producers and other respective clientele were able to gain knowledge on making this system work and the advantages. Data from this study will be published so that anyone wanting to try FIR will be able to see what the true cost and savings of the system will be. This presentation will share more details of the furrow irrigated rice system including input costs, water savings and yield.
Authors: Stewart Runsick, Dr. Ranjitsinh Mane
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Stewart Runsick County Extension Agent - Staff Chair, Division of Agriculture , Arkansas, 72422
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Dr. Ranjitsinh Mane Assistant Professor , UABP, Arkansas, 71601