T HE RI CE GROWE RS CONSERVATION H ANDBOOK. Publication of USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited

T HE RI CE GROWE RS CONSERVATION H ANDBOOK Publication of USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited FA L L 2 0 1 5

INTRODUCTION A s a rice grower you face many challenges in managing your operation and often times a wide array of conservation practices. This handbook is intended to provide you with basic information on the conservation practices and enhancements that have been selected as the most commonly and successfully implemented on working ricelands. The practices and enhancements listed have been recommended by rice growers from the six rice-growing states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Additionally, personnel from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided input. While many of the practices are very common and used across several or all rice-growing states, some are only used in unique circumstances. The intent of this publication is to be all-inclusive some practices may not seem likely to be adopted, but still may apply to rice growers in different areas. The practices are offered under two NRCS programs: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). It is our hope that rice growers will find out about and try the practices both in their home area, and those that are being successfully used by growers in different parts of the country. Please know that all practices will not be available in every community. It s best to schedule a meeting with the local NRCS staff to discuss your operation, find out what is available in your area, and develop a conservation plan that fits your farm and meets your conservation objectives. Local NRCS staff are a good source of information regarding development of a Conservation Activity Plan and finding suitable practices and enhancements to be implemented on your operation. Find Your Local NRCS Office Here: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) E QIP is the workhorse of the working lands conservation programs. It is offered nationwide and tailored to local resource needs. The assistance offered by EQIP is broken down in two categories: Conservation Activity Plans and On-Farm Conservation Practices. To learn more about EQIP go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip EQIP CONSERVATION ACTIVITY PLAN (CAP) A CAP is offered to producers who want to develop a conservation plan for a specific purpose. The plan is developed by a technical service provider and identifies the conservation practices needed for issues such as nutrient management and drainage water management. NRCS currently offers 14 CAPs; seven of which work well for rice growers. All of the seven CAPs identified by rice growers are offered in each of the six rice producing States. The number at the beginning is the NRCS plan number and it is followed by the plan name along with a brief description. Capturing and using surface water for irrigation of rice instead of groundwater is becoming increasingly important in the Mississippi River Valley and Gulf Coast.

CAP 104 Nutrient Management Plan A nutrient management plan documents how nutrients will be managed for plant production and addresses the environmental concerns related to the offsite movement of nutrients from agricultural fields. CAP 114 Integrated Pest Management Plan Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based, sustainable approach to manage pests. It uses a combination of techniques such as chemical tools, biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties of cultivars. CAP 118 Irrigation Water Management Plan Irrigation Water Management (IWM) controls the volume, frequency, and rate of water for efficient irrigation. Measuring soil moisture, climate conditions, and plant water use helps producers decide when to irrigate, and how much water to apply. CAP 128 Agricultural Energy Management Plan An Agricultural Energy Management Plan details the current energy use of the farm, the previous year s on-farm energy consumption, and the strategy the producer will explore to increase their on-farm energy conservation objectives. CAP 130 Drainage Water Management Plan Drainage Water Management (DWM) controls the water level in the soil to maximize the use of subsurface water and the nutrients it contains for both crop production and environmental performance. CAP 142 Fish & Wildlife Habitat Management Plan A Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan is a site-specific plan that details the practices that improve on-farm habitat. CAP 146 Pollinator Habitat Plan A pollinator habitat enhancement plan is a site-specific conservation plan that addresses the improvement, restoration, enhancement and expansion of flower-rich habitat that supports native and managed pollinators. UNIVERSAL ON-FARM RICE CONSERVATION PRACTICES EQIP offers 164 different conservation practices across the country and at least 51 (31%) are being used on rice lands. Not all practices are offered in every state because of differing crops, climate conditions and resource concerns. The list of 44 practices below are utilized in at least two of the six rice-growing states. EQIP 309 Agricultural Chemical Handling A structure with an impervious surface that provides an environmentally safe area for storing, mixing, loading, and cleaning up on-farm agrichemicals and equipment. EQIP 314 Brush Management The management or removal of woody (non-herbaceous or succulent) plants including invasive species. EQIP 315 Herbaceous Weed Management The removal of control of herbaceous weeds including invasive, noxious and prohibited plants.

EQIP 320 Irrigation Canal/Lateral A permanent channel constructed to convey irrigation water from the source of supply to the irrigated fields. EQIP 327 Conservation Cover The establishment and maintenance of perennial, protective vegetation to protect soil and water resources. EQIP 328 Conservation Crop Rotation The planned rotation of at least two crops in a field. EQIP 329 Residue & Tillage Management; No Till Leaving crop residue on the soil surface to reduce erosion, conserve moisture, and maintain or improve soil health. EQIP 340 Cover Crop Planting a grass, small grain, or legume species, or a mix of species, on cropland to improve soil health, control erosion, and for other conservation purposes. EQIP 342 Critical Area Planting Establishing permanent vegetation on sites with high erosion rates or on sites that have physical, chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices. EQIP 345 Residue & Tillage Management; Reduced Till Leaving crop residue on the soil surface to reduce erosion, conserve moisture, and maintain or improve soil health. EQIP 350 Sediment Basin A constructed basin designed to collect and store water-born debris or sediment to protect down-slope areas. EQIP 374 Farmstead Energy Improvement Development and implementation of improvements to reduce or improve on-farm energy use. EQIP 386 Field Border Strips of permanent vegetation established at the edge or around the perimeter of a field to reduce erosion and protect water quality. EQIP 388 Irrigation Field Ditch A permanent ditch constructed to convey irrigation water from the source to the field. EQIP 390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover Planting water tolerant grasses, sedges, rushes, ferns, legumes, and forbs along streams borders to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. EQIP 391 Riparian Forest Buffer Planting trees and shrubs alongside a body of water to create shade and filter out sediment and other pollutants to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

Irrigation land leveling is a common practice to improve water management for rice and rotation crops. EQIP 393 Filter Strips Establishing an area of vegetation to filter out sediment, organic material, and other pollutants from runoff. EQIP 397 Aquaculture A water impoundment constructed and managed for farming freshwater or saltwater fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants. EQIP 410 Grade Stabilization Structure A structure used to control the grade in natural or constructed channels. EQIP 412 Grassed Waterway Establishing a shaped, grassed channel to filter sediment and safely carry surface water off of a field to a stable outlet EQIP 422 Hedgerow Planting Establishing a dense line of vegetation to achieve a conservation purpose. EQIP 428 Irrigation Ditch Lining Lining an irrigation ditch, canal, or lateral with an impervious material or chemical treatment to prevent seepage. EQIP 430 Irrigation Pipeline A pipeline installed to convey water as part of an irrigation water system. EQIP 436 Irrigation Reservoir An irrigation water storage structure made by constructing a dam, embankment, pit, or tank.

EQIP 443 Irrigation System, Surface and Subsurface A system in which all necessary earthwork, multi-outlet pipelines, and water-control structures have been installed for distributing water by surface means, such as furrows, borders, and contour levees, or by subsurface means through water table control. EQIP 447 Tailwater Return Systems Facilities used to collect, store, and transport irrigation tailwater for reuse to conserve water reduce transport of contaminants offsite. EQIP 449 Irrigation Water Management Determining and controlling the rate, amount, and timing of irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner to minimize soil erosion and nutrient leaching to improve agronomic performance and protect both the quantity and quality of water resources. EQIP 462 Precision Land Forming Reshaping the surface of land to improve surface drainage and control erosion. EQIP 464 Land Leveling Reshaping the surface of irrigated land to permit uniform and efficient application of surface irrigation water without significant erosion, loss of water quality, or damage to soil and crops from waterlogging. EQIP 468 Lined Waterway or Outlet A waterway or outlet lining of concrete, stone, synthetic turf fabric, or other permanent material to prevent erosion. EQIP 484 Mulching Applying plant residues or other materials to the land surface to conserve soil moisture, reduce energy use, control erosion, or help establish vegetation. EQIP 533 Pumping Plant A facility that delivers water at a designed pressure and flow rate. It includes pumps, power units, plumbing, accessories, and may include on-site fuel or energy sources and protective structures. EQIP 554 Drainage Water Management The process of managing water discharges from surface or subsurface agricultural drainage systems. EQIP 587 Structure for Water Control A structure in a water management system that conveys water, controls the direction or rate of flow of water, maintains a desired water elevation, or measures water. EQIP 590 Nutrient Management Managing the 4 R s of nutrients right time, right place, right source, and right amount to obtain optimum yields and minimize the risk of surface and ground water pollution. EQIP 595 Integrated Pest Management A site-specific combination of pest prevention, pest avoidance, pest monitoring, and pest suppression strategies.

EQIP 607 Surface Drain, Field Ditch A graded ditch for collecting excess water in a field. EQIP 608 Surface Drain, Main or Lateral An open drainage ditch constructed to collect and convey excess surface or subsurface water. EQIP 644 Wetland Wildlife Habitat Retaining, developing, or managing wetland habitat for wetland wildlife. EQIP 646 Shallow Water Development and Management Impounding water to provide habitat for wildlife such as shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and other species that require shallow water for at least a part of their life cycle. EQIP 647 Early Successional Habitat Development Provide habitat for species by creating plant transition areas between fields and woodlands that benefits certain species, particularly grassland birds. EQIP 656 Constructed Wetland An artificial wetland constructed to intercept and treat the flow of a waste stream or contaminated runoff. EQIP 657 Wetland Restoration The return of a wetland and its functions to as close as possible to its former condition. EQIP 658 Wetland Creation The creation of a wetland on a site that was not previously a wetland. EQIP 659 Wetland Enhancement Increasing wetland functions beyond the original natural conditions on a former, degraded, or naturally functioning wetland. CALIFORNIA-SPECIFIC EQIP PRACTICES: EQIP 335 Controlled Drainage The use of drainage facilities and water control structures to control of surface and subsurface water. EQIP 399 Fish Pond Management Managing the habitat and water quality in a fish pond to optimize fish production. EQIP 466 Land Smoothing Removing irregularities on the soil surface to improve surface drainage, provide for more uniform cultivation, and improve equipment operation and efficiency. EQIP 643 Restoration and Management of Declining Habitats Restoring, conserving, and managing unique or diminishing native ecosystems on land or water.

EQIP 645 Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Improve wildlife habitat by connecting and managing landscapes to improve wildlife habitat. EQIP 649 Structures for Wildlife A structure installed to replace or modify a missing or deficient wildlife habitat component such as nesting or loafing islands. MISSOURI-SPECIFIC EQIP PRACTICES: EQIP 642 Water Well A hole that is drilled, dug, driven, bored, jetted or otherwise constructed into an aquifer for water supply. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP) With more than 60 million acres enrolled, the CSP, by area, is the largest conservation program in the United States. Through the CSP, producers go above and beyond conventional methods to improve resource conditions. CSP offers five-year contracts and provides two types of payments 1) annual payments for installing new conservation activities and maintaining existing practices and 2) supplemental payments for adopting a resource-conserving crop rotation. NRCS offers 120 enhancement practices in the CSP and 50 are applicable to rice growers. The list of 45 practices below are utilized in at least two of the six rice-growing states. To learn more about CSP go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp Rice fields are crucial for migrating and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds.

UNIVERSAL RICE PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENTS AIR QUALITY (AIR): AIR 04 Use drift reducing nozzles, low pressures, lower boom heights and adjuvants to reduce pesticide drift Use drift reduction technologies to reduce the drift of agricultural chemicals away from the intended target when spraying. AIR 07 GPS targeted spray application or other chemical application electronic control technology Utilize electronically controlled or managed chemical spray application technology to more precisely apply agricultural pesticides to their intended targets. AIR 09 Nitrification inhibitors or urease inhibitors The use of an ammonia or ammonium fertilizers with a substance that inhibits the biological oxidations of ammoniacal nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen or the use of surface applied urea products with a substance that inhibits hydrolytic action on urea by urease enzyme that when applied to soils results in less urea nitrogen lost by ammonia volatilization (AAPFCO). This enhancement is only applicable to nitrogen applied within 30 days of planting or after consecutive warm days (i.e., greater than 75 F). This does not apply to pop-up or starter nitrogen sources applied at planting time. AIR 10 Discontinue burning crop residue Utilize non-burning crop residue management techniques after a crop harvest. ANIMAL (ANM): ANM 12 Shallow water habitat Construct or renovate small, shallow sites to impound or hold water seasonally, typically from late winter through early summer (e.g., vernal pools). ANM 27 Wildlife friendly fencing This enhancement involves the use of wildlife friendly fencing techniques that allow free passage of daily wildlife movement and seasonal migration; and/or increase visibility to prevent entanglement and mortality. (Selection of this enhancement requires the activity to be planned concurrently on all eligible land use acres). ANM 31 Drainage Water Management This enhancement consists of seasonal hydrology management during non-cropping periods for wildlife habitat on working lands. ANM 32 Extend existing filter strips or riparian herbaceous cover for water quality protection and wildlife habitat Where existing filter strips or riparian herbaceous covers (i.e., buffers) are utilized, extend them to gain more efficiency in intercepting overland flow and reducing the transport of nutrients, pesticides and agro-chemicals, and for wildlife habitat. ANM 33 Riparian buffer, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat This activity consists of managing riparian zones by utilizing select conservation measures (such as re-locating equipment operations, trails, or livestock; establishing diverse native vegetation and controlling invasive species; fencing; and extending

Rice fields also provide nesting habitat for numerous shorebirds and wading birds. the width of the riparian zone to enhance wildlife habitat adjacent to riparian zones of steams, ponds, lakes, or wetlands) to achieve stream side cover and vegetative diversity and structure to improve terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat. ANM 34 Leave standing grain crops un-harvested to benefit wildlife Implement a crop management plan that will allow a portion of grain crops to be left in fields unharvested to provide food and cover for wildlife during winter months. ANM 37 Prescriptive grazing management system for grazed lands Implement a prescriptive grazing management system for all grazed lands and for all eligible land uses in the operation. This includes expired CRP grass/legume or tree covered acres that are now converted to a grazing system. ANM 39 Extending riparian forest buffers for water quality protection and wildlife habitat Where existing riparian forest buffers (i.e., buffers) are utilized, extend them to gain more efficiency in intercepting overland flow, reducing the transport of nutrients, pesticides, pathogens and agro-chemicals, and for wildlife habitat. ANM 40 Extending existing field borders for water quality protection and wildlife habitat Where existing field borders are utilized, extend them to gain more efficiency in intercepting overland flow and reducing the transport of nutrients, pesticides, pathogens and agro-chemicals, and for wildlife habitat. ANM44 Close structures to capture and retain rainfall for waterfowl and wading birds during winter This enhancement provides seasonal, shallow water habitat for migratory waterfowl and wading birds. ANM45 Manipulate vegetation on fields where rainfall is to be captured and retained This enhancement benefits seasonal, shallow water habitats for migratory waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds by manipulating vegetation. ANM46 Extend retention of captured rainfall to provide late winter habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds This enhancement is to provide late winter, shallow water habitats for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds by retaining water into mid-march.

ANM47 Shorebird habitat, late season shallow water with manipulation This enhancement is to encourage capture and retention of water, and vegetation manipulation on field units with seasonal water management capabilities, in order to provide habitat for migrating shorebirds. ANM 48 Shorebird habitat, extended late season shallow water with manipulation This enhancement is to encourage capture and retention of water, and vegetation manipulation on crawfish ponds or other field units with water management capabilities, in order to provide habitat for migrating shorebirds. ANM 49 Early successional habitat between first rice crop and ratoon crop This enhancement is to encourage the manipulation of rice stubble by rolling to create early successional habitat for migratory and resident wildlife species. ANM 51 Establish and maintain early successional, naturally occurring vegetation in ditches and ditch bank borders for wildlife habitat and water quality protection This enhancement is to encourage the establishment of early successional, naturally occurring vegetation in ditches, side slope and bank borders to provide cover, critical nesting and brood rearing habitat as well as filtering overland flow and improving water quality. ANM 63 Harvest crop in a manner that allows wildlife to flush and escape Harvest crops (hay or small grains) using conservation measures that allow wildlife to flush and escape. These measures include timing of haying to avoid periods when upland wildlife are nesting or fawning, idling land during the nesting or fawning period, and applying harvest techniques that reduce mortality to wildlife. ENERGY (ENR): ENR 01 Fuel Use Reduction This enhancement is for fuel savings of 20% or more achieved by a reduction in field operations when compared to existing management system. ENR13 Variable Frequency Electric Motors This enhancement activity is for upgrading of existing single speed motors through the addition of variable speed drives. A motor replacement may also be included in some cases. The primary use of this enhancement is for irrigation water pumping. This enhancement is not intended for farmstead or animal housing applications. PLANT (PLT): PLT 15 Establish pollinator and/or beneficial insect habitat* Seed or plug nectar and pollen producing plants in noncropped areas such as field borders, vegetative barriers, contour buffer strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, hedgerows, windbreaks, conservation cover, and riparian forest and herbaceous buffers. PLT19 Herbicide resistant weed management Adoption of multiple agronomic principles to manage herbicide resistant weeds in annually planted crop fields.

SOIL QUALITY (SQL): SQL04 Use of cover crop mixes This enhancement is for the use of cover crop mixes that contain two (2) or more different species of cover crops or cultivars of a single species. SQL12 Intensive cover cropping in annual crops Grow and manage seasonal cover crops of grasses, legumes or forbs to maintain soil coverage and other conservation benefits during all the non-crop production periods in an annual crop rotation. Intensive cover cropping is applicable to conventional, specialty and organic crop production systems. SQL15 Utilize the soil health nutrient tool to assess soil nutrient pools Use a soil health nutrient tool to assess soil nutrient pools for soil health. SQL18 Soil health crop rotation Implement a crop rotation which addresses the four principle components of a soil health: adds diversity to the cropping system; maintains residue throughout the year; keeps a living root; and minimizes soil chemical, physical and biological disturbance. WATER QUALITY (WQL): WQL04 Plant tissue testing and analysis to improve management Use plant tissue tests to adjust nitrogen application rates. WQL05 Apply nutrients no more than 30 days prior to planned planting date This enhancement is for applying nutrients from fertilizer, manures and/or compost no more than 30 days prior to the planned planting date of the crop. WQL07 Split nitrogen applications, 50% after crop emergence Apply no more than 50% of total crop nitrogen needs within 30 days prior to planting or in the case of pasture or hay after green up of the dormant grasses. Apply the remaining 50% or more of the total nitrogen needs after crop emergence or pasture green up. WQL10 Plant a cover crop that will scavenge residual Nitrogen Plant a cover crop that will scavenge nitrogen remaining in the soil after the harvest of a previous crop. Suitable cover crops include those with at least a Very Good rating for scavenging nitrogen. Examples include cereal rye, barley, forage radish and sorghum. WQL11 Precision application technology to apply nutrients The use of precision agriculture technologies to apply nutrients to fit variations in site-specific conditions found within fields. WQL25 Split applications of N based on PSNT Use pre-side-dress soil nitrate test (PSNT) to determine the need and/or amount of additional nitrogen to be applied during a side-dress/top-dress Nitrogen application.

WQL27 Drainage Water Management This enhancement consists of managing soil and/or surface water levels during the non-cropping season in order to reduce the loss of nutrients, pathogens, or/and pesticides from a crop field through drainage systems and into downstream receiving waters. This enhancement may also be utilized to reduce the oxidation of organic matter in the soil and/or reduce wind erosion or particulate matter (dust) emissions. WQL29 High level IPM to reduce pesticide environmental risk Utilize advanced Integrated Pest Management (IPM) prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression techniques to eliminate or minimize the need for pesticide while maintaining satisfactory pest control. Apply pesticides in an environmentally sound manner only when monitoring indicates an economic pest threshold has been exceeded and other measures are not sufficiently effective. Choose the lowest risk pesticide available labeled for and effective against the target pest(s), and implement appropriate mitigation techniques to minimize environmental risks. WQL32 Apply enhanced efficiency fertilizer At least 50% of the pre-emergent and early post emergent nitrogen fertilizers, phosphorus fertilizers or manure used for production must include enhanced efficiency formulations. WATER QUANTITY (WQT): WQT 01 Irrigation System Automation This enhancement entails using GPS guided variable rate irrigation or other innovative technologies that allow irrigation water application based on variable site conditions within a field. WQT 03 Irrigation Pumping Plant Evaluation This enhancement consists of the evaluation of the irrigation pumping plant performance and efficiency using the Nebraska Irrigation Pumping Plant Performance Criteria. WQT 07 Regional Weather Network Crop evapotranspiration (crop ET) information from a regional weather network is utilized as a part of the irrigation water management plan for irrigation scheduling. Water use is planned and adjustments in application rates and timing are made using the regional weather network data. WQT 09 High level irrigation water management This enhancement entails using high level irrigation water management (IWM) methods and other innovative technologies to evaluate precise soil and crop conditions. These will then be used to schedule irrigation water application based on variable site conditions within a field. WQT 12 Computerized hole selection for polypipe This enhancement consists of calculating hole sizes for polypipe tubing using computer software to determine the optimal size hole per furrow in order to improve irrigation efficiency and decrease the quantity of irrigation water need per season. WQT 13 Intermittent flooding of rice fields This enhancement consists of managing irrigation water on rice fields by allowing them to dry down between full flood conditions to a saturated soil condition prior to re-flooding the field.

CONSERVING CROP ROTATION (CCR): CCR 98 Improved Resource Conserving Crop Rotation Improving a resource-conserving crop rotation means strengthening an existing resource-conserving crop rotation to further: reduce erosion; improve soil fertility and soil health; interrupt pest cycles; and in applicable areas, reduce depletion of soil moisture or otherwise reduces the need for irrigation. CCR 99 Resource Conserving Crop Rotation Resource-conserving crop rotation means a crop rotation that includes at least one resource conserving crop as determined by the State Conservationist; reduces erosion; improves soil fertility and tilth; interrupts pest cycles; and in applicable areas, reduces depletion of soil moisture or otherwise reduces the need for irrigation. LOUISIANA-SPECIFIC CSP ENHANCEMENTS: ANM 43 Removal of woody vegetation from rice field levees to improve habitat for nesting king rail This enhancement is to improve the suitability of rice fields for nesting king rail and other secretive marsh birds by removing trees and shrubs from rice field levees. ANM 50 Control of undesirable woody vegetation in moist soil wetlands for wildlife This enhancement is to remove or manage unwanted woody vegetation within moist soil wetlands in order to encourage growth of native grasses, sedges, herbaceous plants and other desirable vegetation. SQL14 Integrate grazing into crop and forest systems This enhancement integrates of grazing into land use systems where they are absent. WQT 05 Remote monitoring notification of irrigation pumping plants A system for monitoring the status of an irrigation pumping plant and notifying the operator by a wireless connection of a change in the operating status of the irrigation system. TEXAS-SPECIFIC CSP ENHANCEMENTS: WQL06 Apply controlled release nitrogen fertilizer All pre-emergent and early post emergent nitrogen fertilizer; except for a small amount starter nitrogen fertilizer applied at planting, must be slow-release or controlled release formulations. Partnership efforts are the key to sustaining rice production for future generations.

DUCKS UNLIMITED SOUTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE 193 Business Park Drive, Suite E Ridgeland, MS 39157-6026 For more information, call 601-956-1936 or go towww.ducks.org/ricelands