Rice growers get an update on worker-protection rules

At a recent meeting in Colusa, growers listened to agricultural biologist Jack deWit of the Colusa County Department of Agriculture provide an update on rice pesticide regulations.

He noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandated new worker-protection standards in January.

"The good news is that it doesn't affect California too much because we are already there—the rest of the nation is probably in shock," he said.

Some of the new rules pertain to decontamination facilities; posting signs in fields that have been treated with crop-protection materials; and training employees prior to application.

He encouraged rice growers to "practice extreme caution" when applying rice fields that are near sensitive sites such as young almond orchards.

"Don't push it; when you have these changes in wind patterns, shut down—it's just not worth it," deWit advised. "We want to keep our products on site."

Luis Espino, University of California Cooperative Extension rice farming systems advisor in Colusa, Glenn and Yolo counties, gave an update on managing arthropods including rice water weevils, armyworms and tadpole shrimp. Techniques were reviewed for conventional as well as organic rice production, and he discussed the issue of insecticide resistance.

"We have a new insecticide that is registered for rice water weevil control, Coragen, and it's a new mode of action," Espino said. "It's great news."

Last year's armyworm infestations were not as severe as in 2015, he noted. At the beginning of the season there were some very early infestations; however, those infestations may have been detected early because growers and pest control advisors were scouting closely after the 2015 outbreak.

Espino noted that the use of pyrethroid insecticides has been trending upwards, and he said he wondered if it may be related to tadpole shrimp. He surveyed the growers at the meeting and half of them reported that they've noticed a reduction in the efficacy of pyrethroids for controlling the tiny, translucent shrimp.

"Regarding the control of tadpole shrimp, don't let the shrimp get too big—the larger they are, the harder they are to control," he said.

An update on weed management was provided by Kassim Al-Khatib, UCCE weed specialist. Weeds are the biggest pest problem in rice fields and herbicide resistance is an ongoing issue. The UCCE Rice Weeds Program provides herbicide-resistance testing. The test results help growers improve their weed-control programs and help UCCE keep track of resistance issues.

Growers can get help by submitting herbicide-resistant weed seeds to their farm advisors along with a form found at: http://cecolusa.ucanr.edu/newsletters/Rice_Briefs_Newsletter58741.pdf.

"It's a free service," Al-Khatib said. "This is going to help you make better decisions."

A fertility update was provided by Bruce Linquist, UCCE rice specialist. He discussed how proper fertilization results in maximum rice yields.

To that end, Linquist announced the results of the 2016 Rice Yield Contest. In region 1, Joe Richter of Colusa County produced 115 hundredweight per acre; region 2, Josh Sheppard of Butte County, 122.5 cwt. per acre; region 3, Steve Willey of Sutter County, 119.4 cwt. per acre; and no entries received in region 4.

In other news, it was announced that Randall "Cass" Mutters, UCCE rice advisor and county director in Butte County, is retiring in June.

(Robyn Rominger is a reporter in Winters. She may be contacted at robynrominger@hotmail.com.)