Cornell Researches Rice In New York

Cornell Researches Rice In New York CROPS Miscellaneous New York State farmers are experimenting with rice thanks to a research program spearheaded by Cornell University Though rice is traditionally grown in flooded paddies within the tropics the grain is well-suited for a variety of growing conditions That makes it appealing for Northeast farmers facing changing weather conditions that affect the severity and frequency of rain and flooding Many farmers have left their most flood-prone land to grow fallow but cultivating rice might offer an attractive alternative “The goal of the project is to provide farmers with the tools and training needed to grow rice locally using sustainable and regenerative methods ” says Jenny Kao-Kniffin Ph D and Associate Professor for Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science “We’re starting the second year of testing agronomic techniques that focus on integrated pest management IPM and we’re examining different rice varieties that are appropriate for New York’s climate ” While flooded paddies are the traditional way to grow rice standing water isn’t required In fact rice is the only major crop that can take oxygen out of the air and send it down to its roots The primary reason rice paddies are flooded is to suppress weeds for easier cultivation Many farmers feel overwhelmed by the steep learning curve of rice cultivation Most necessary equipment including a harvester dryer planter dehuller and polisher must be imported from Japan However they’re often available second-hand and are specially designed for use on small plots of land Cornell’s research program aims to break down barriers like this so rice cultivation becomes more accessible To date Cornell’s research program is tracking two demonstration plots: one in flooded conditions and the other in a dry field Between the two they aim to replicate the range of conditions New York farmers will increasingly face For example due to flooding one test paddy at the Homer C Thompson Vegetable Research Farm was decommissioned from cultivation 15 years ago Both experiment plots use varieties that grow in the upper limits of their range—including Northern Japan Korea Ukraine and even Russia These cold-hardy varieties have the best chance of thriving So far the research shows that rice is surprisingly profitable Some farmers net $12 000 or more per acre of rice production over 15 times more than they could expect off a corn harvest However it’s far from free money Cultivating rice is an intensive process that requires a lot of labor That’s why many farms see rice as an add-on for farmers growing other food-grade grains including corn soybeans wheat and oats It’s a convenient crop to sneak into field spaces that tend to be too prone to flooding for reliable use The research program is also producing online rice cultivation guides and researching the most suitable growing areas across the Northeast Cornell’s research department is assessing state maps of flood risk topography and existing land use to determine which areas show the most potential for rice production “We’re currently researching ways to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and reduce water use so that New Yorkers can enjoy locally grown rice that increases wildlife habitat and strengthens local economies ” says Kao-Kniffin The goal is to focus on existing agricultural floodplains rather than converting natural areas or wetlands into paddies Further research will investigate how rice fields affect habitat space stormwater pollution mitigation and other factors In the long run Cornell hopes its research will help farmers dedicate small portions of their land to rice production gradually expanding as they learn the nuances of this unconventional crop for American farmers Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Professor Jenny Kao-Kniffin jtk57@cornell edu

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