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Drain rice fields at different times can improve rice’s milling quality. Fields that may be harvested later can benefit from a later drain date.

Rice quality issues have become more commonplace in recent years, and that is an even bigger concern this year as farmers prepare to harvest the smallest rice crop in the South since 1972. One challenge at harvest stems from a quick planting window, which results in all the rice being ready at the same time.

To reach target harvest moisture, farmers drain the rice fields two to three weeks before combines roll in to cut the crop. But if you can’t get to all those fields in that window, you risk quality issues.

“We plant the crop so quickly today that it’s all ready close to the same time. Therefore, the water is pulled off at the same time,” said Tim Walker, Horizon Ag CEO. “But those fields that aren’t harvested until later have a longer period of time in the environment where rains can happen. The loss of soil moisture plus plant moisture, and even heavy dews, can create such a drastic moisture gradient.”

He and other experts agree that drain timing could be a critical solution for improving milling quality. Their advice is simple: Don’t pull the plug on every field at the same time. Instead, strategically stagger draining individual rice fields based on reasonable harvest expectations.

“For those acres that are going to be harvested mid or late in the harvest season, maybe leave the water on those fields a little bit longer,” he added.

Harvest moisture matters

Rice kernels have a microscopic pore matrix that allows them to absorb water. For instance, if you dropped your cellphone in water, you’d likely place it in rice because it absorbs moisture. The same concept applies to fields that have been drained to dry the rice crop before harvest.

After the rice has dried down, kernels can absorb moisture while in the field, whether from a rainfall event or heavy dew, weakening the grain.

“You have this starch that is expanding and shrinking, expanding and shrinking,” Walker explained. “The more times it expands and shrinks, the more fissures you’re going to have. Those fissures lead to breakage once milling occurs.”

That is why staggered drain timing has become a significant topic in an effort to reduce moisture fluctuations and preserve quality. By staggering drain dates across fields, farmers can better align grain moisture with their actual harvest schedule, reducing the risk of overdrying and subsequent rewetting events.

Although all your rice fields may be ready at the same time, Garrison Hardke, U.S. marketing manager for RiceTec, pointed out that harvesting the crop goes much slower than planting. “We don’t want all of our rice to get dry at the same time because we can’t harvest it all at the same time.”

Researchers at the University of Arkansas are looking at the effects of drain timing. In the past, this research emphasized the impact on yield, but this year, the study is shifting focus to milling quality.

Other solutions to improve milling quality

Starting rice harvest early is a potential solution to preserve grain quality. As the rice crop begins to dry after field draining, Hardke said milling yields typically stabilize around 24% to 25% moisture content.

“After reaching this point, that is going to be your best milling. It’s just a matter of how green you can afford to harvest it,” he said, noting that the ability to dry the rice down is necessary if cutting the crop at a higher moisture level.

According to industry standards, rice should ideally be harvested between 18% and 20% moisture. When determining when to harvest, Hardke added, “If you are going to be outside of that range, your quality will be better at 21% than 17%.”

An earlier harvest strategy requires the ability to dry the crop in a grain bin, and Walker acknowledged that fuel expenses could be a limiting factor regarding input costs. However, he echoed Hardke’s sentiments that harvesting on the higher end of the moisture range, say at 22% instead of 18% or less, may not only improve milling quality but can also jump-start harvest by a week.

Walker emphasized that the goal of staggered drain timing accompanied by a slightly earlier harvest is to move the needle toward better milling and a higher-quality rice crop that appeals to buyers and consumers.

“We have to control what we can from a milling standpoint. Every variety that we grow has excellent milling potential,” Walker said, emphasizing “potential.” “There are things that can happen in the environment or a combination of environment and management that will erode the stability of the milling. So we have to do everything we can — with this small crop in 2026 — to show our buyers that we can get a handle on our milling.”

Source : farmprogress