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About Us
County Impact Statements - Lafayette County
Rice Grower Uses New Irrigation System
Rice growers Jimmy and Glenn Brackman of Bradley know how hard it is to
irrigate large rice acreages when wells are located on the far edges of
half-mile long fields. In the past, lower levees would dry up before
conventional levee gate irrigation water could reach them resulting in lower
yields and poorer milling quality in the affected paddys.
Brackman requested help from Extension to design a better way to irrigate his
fields. One field was selected as a demonstration for the multiple in-let
irrigation system designed by Phil Tacker, Extension irrigation specialist.
Funding was provided by grower check-off funds from the Arkansas Rice Research
and Promotion Board.
The new system was installed by Extension personnel and resulted in a 20%
savings in pumping costs. Other benefits included less cold water injury to the
rice plants, more rapid flooding, and increased nitrogen fertilizer efficiency.
Jimmy Brackman liked the new system because of the labor saving aspects of
less time needed to maintain levee gates and more even water distribution.
Extension Engineers installing the multiple inlet rice
irrigation system on the Brackman Farm
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Impacts
- In FY2001, Rice Research Verification Program conducted on Spirit Lake
Farms near Lewisville produced 163 bushels/acre average yield on the
demonstration field. Zinc deficiency documented for first time on cut clay
soils in Lafayette County. Further demonstration work is planned for 2002.
- In FY2001, 23 rice growers enrolled in rice DD50 rice management program
to better time management practices on 7100 acres. Better timing of nitrogen
application, insect scouting and treatment, and weed control applications
helped growers increase county average yields to 130 bushels/acre.
- In FY2001, 10 rice growers participated in Rice IPM programs from rice
water weevil control using ICON seed treatments to new weed control using
Aim and Ricestar herbicides. A rice variety disease screening demonstration
was conduced on Spirit Lake Farm where 22 varieties were planted and toured.
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