Chairman's Report 78

Chairman's Report-78
Rice Research Board Chairman, James Leathers	Your vision in developing increased support for rice research by establishing and continuing the Rice Research Marketing Order has assured a viable California rice industry. Some of our long-established, essential cultural practices are being challenged as damaging the environment. Even as you read this report, urban inspired activities are under way in the California legislature to ban all residue burning. Your support for a broad research program has assisted the University of California, USDA and California Cooperative Research Foundation, Inc., in developing information for both you and the general public. This information will be extremely valuable in the rice industry's drive to achieve practical solutions to challenges associated with field burning as a crop sanitizing tool. Detailed information on residue management has been summarized for you in the 1977 and 1978 annual reports. Your research dollars continue to pay dividends in many areas: We have developed new short-stature rice varieties of all grain types and maturity groups that not only produce 10 to 20 percent more grain than varieties grown in the past, but also produce less residue to manage. These new short-stature rice varieties will be very important in offsetting additional production costs associated with residue management. More effective methods to reduce particulate and smoke emission from field burning have been identified and are now in use. When meteorological forecasts are accurately used, the California Air Resources Board technical experts have publicly reported that our burning techniques have resulted in improved air quality and visibility. Mechanical methods for incorporation of rice residue into the lighter textured and better drained soils have been developed for areas where crop rotation systems are agronomically and economically feasible and where stem rot disease is not a problem. Studies have been conducted to determine the most efficient methods of rice residue removal from fields, and, although they are not conclusive, results will be available for use when and if industrial utilization becomes a viable alternative. The combined effect of these gradually developing alternatives will be reduced need for field burning and a realization by the public that farmers, in producing food for people, regularly adjust production practices to conserve and protect environmental quality. This report also briefly summarizes 1978 research progress in a host of other rice production and utilization areas. I encourage you to read it for the information and to see where your research funds are spent. Should you have questions or suggestions about our rice research programs, please consult one of the Rice Research Board members listed in this report. Wishing you a prosperous 1979 rice year.

Chairman's Report-78

Rice Research Board Chairman, James Leathers

Your vision in developing increased support for rice research by establishing and continuing the Rice Research Marketing Order has assured a viable California rice industry.

Some of our long-established, essential cultural practices are being challenged as damaging the environment. Even as you read this report, urban inspired activities are under way in the California legislature to ban all residue burning.

Your support for a broad research program has assisted the University of California, USDA and California Cooperative Research Foundation, Inc., in developing information for both you and the general public. This information will be extremely valuable in the rice industry's drive to achieve practical solutions to challenges associated with field burning as a crop sanitizing tool. Detailed information on residue management has been summarized for you in the 1977 and 1978 annual reports.

Your research dollars continue to pay dividends in many areas:

We have developed new short-stature rice varieties of all grain types and maturity groups that not only produce 10 to 20 percent more grain than varieties grown in the past, but also produce less residue to manage. These new short-stature rice varieties will be very important in offsetting additional production costs associated with residue management.
More effective methods to reduce particulate and smoke emission from field burning have been identified and are now in use. When meteorological forecasts are accurately used, the California Air Resources Board technical experts have publicly reported that our burning techniques have resulted in improved air quality and visibility.
Mechanical methods for incorporation of rice residue into the lighter textured and better drained soils have been developed for areas where crop rotation systems are agronomically and economically feasible and where stem rot disease is not a problem.
Studies have been conducted to determine the most efficient methods of rice residue removal from fields, and, although they are not conclusive, results will be available for use when and if industrial utilization becomes a viable alternative.

The combined effect of these gradually developing alternatives will be reduced need for field burning and a realization by the public that farmers, in producing food for people, regularly adjust production practices to conserve and protect environmental quality.

This report also briefly summarizes 1978 research progress in a host of other rice production and utilization areas. I encourage you to read it for the information and to see where your research funds are spent. Should you have questions or suggestions about our rice research programs, please consult one of the Rice Research Board members listed in this report. Wishing you a prosperous 1979 rice year.