GOING WITH THIS? WHERE (ARE WE) (AM I) Merle Anders Net-Profit Crop Consultancy PLlc Mobile: 870-456-8527 Office: 870-241-9021 Email: RiceCarbon@centurylink.net

THE SUSTAINABILITY GAME FARMER STYLE MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY WHILE MAINTAINING OR IMPROVING AIR, SOIL, AND WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY

THE SUSTAINABILITY GAME WHO HELPS WITH WATER $ NRCS Standard programs Special programs RCPP programs PRIVATE COMPANIES Technical assistance (RiceTec) Buying programs (Mars, Knorr)

THE NRCS OPTIONS INTERMEDIATE IWM PLAN REQUIRED Producer will irrigate using a scheduling program of their choice (i.e., checkbook) The producer will keep records of all irrigations and all calculations that lead to the decisions concerning irrigation The landowner will provide copies of these records of irrigation and a written plan that evaluates the irrigation process or the season with a proposal on what improvements will be tried for the next season to improve the irrigation process on the contracted land. PRODUCER SELECTS AT LEAST 3 OF THE FOLLOWING Soil moisture being determined by in-field moisture sensors with data recorders collecting data at specified intervals. Or Water level sensors used to determine decreases in the level of water in rice patties. The data from the sensors is downloaded manually by the operator. Manual flow measuring devices either permanent or portable are used to obtain irrigation flows and volumes applied throughout the growing season. Either electronic or written record for each irrigation cycle, duration and volume will be recorded for each field under contract Weather station will be installed at the farm level and records of temperature, rainfall and wind will be manually collected. Surge valve will be utilized to build soil water profile to benefit plant water use and decrease soil erosion Software such as computer hole selection (i.e. Phaucet or Pipe Planner) is being used to help determine more efficient ways irrigating Wetting and Drying (Row Rice or Intermittent Flooding)

GOALS TO AIM FOR CROOKED LEVEE 38 STREIGHT LEVEE 36 FIELD LAYOUT acre in CROOKED LEVEE 38 STREIGHT LEVEE 36 STREIGHT LEVEE + MIRI 30 ZERO GRADE 22 ADDING AWD MANAGEMENT 10 – 15 a/in on Zero grade Average 12 a/in savings 12 x 27,154 g = 325,848 g/a less pumping

WHAT IS AWD AWD is a rice flood management practice used to maximize rainfall capture and minimize over-pumping while maintaining grain quality and yield. It consists of flooding a field to a standard depth and allowing the flood to subside to mud (or drier) before re-flooding.

ANYONE CLOSE TO THE PUMP WHO MANAGES YOUR WATER? CLARITY YOU YOUR NO. 1 YOUR NO. 2 YOUR NO. 3 ANYONE CLOSE TO THE PUMP CONFUSION

A NEW TYPE OF PUMP?? PUMP CONTROL UNIT ? FLOW METER ?

So what do we find!!!!

FLOW METER 101 YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR 5 – 10 D measurements upstream recommended DISCHARGE POSITION ABOVE FLOW METER

What do we need

Figure this one out!!!! How many flow meters ?

Gravity is the cheapest way to move water Field Aggregation No pumps

HOW MANY FLOW METERS ?

UTILIZE EXISTING RESOURCES MOVING FORWARD PLANNING LONG-TERM BEST UTILIZE EXISTING RESOURCES

NOTHING HAPPENS ON ITS OWN QUESTIONS PLANTS DON’T LIE