Bypass Flooding Brings Wild Salmon & Rice RiceNews 2023-02-24 | A series of atmosphere river storms brought bypassing flooding — and dozens of wild salmon and other fish species — into Sutter Bypass rice fields now being studied by a team of UC Davis scientists.
Field Science RiceNews 2023-02-24 | UC Davis researcher Alex Wampler explains how the pilot Salmon Project aims to help the state’s dwindling fish population by tracking their movements in the rice field turned working science lab.
Quiet The Sacramento Valley 2022 RiceNews 2022-11-16 | This drought had been unprecedented. The lack of water has altered the normal way of life for so many in the Sacramento Valley, from the farm to the rice workforce, to our rural communities, to wildlife — all depending on rice for their survival.
Quiet: The Pacific Flyway RiceNews 2022-11-16 | California’s drought crisis will have far reaching consequences for the environment and the millions of migratory waterbirds that travel to the Sacramento Valley along the Pacific Flyway. Less water to grow rice means far less food and habitat for the upward of 10 million ducks and geese that spend the winter in California.
Rice Straw Benefits Wildlife RiceNews 2022-10-21 | Rice fields provide more than 60% of the diet for 10 million migrating ducks, geese and shorebirds during the fall and winter months.
Rice Harvest Pulls Double Duty RiceNews 2022-10-13 | The planted rice acres in the Sacramento Valley means jobs for skilled workers and will soon provide food and habitat for migratory waterfowl.
It Starts in the Field - Rice Harvest 2022 RiceNews 2022-10-05 | Every acre of rice harvested means jobs on the farm, with more work to be done at the dryers and mills.
Quiet - Rice Workforce and Community Connection RiceNews 2022-08-31 | Drought threatens multigenerational businesses and countless people connected to the rice production workforce, each a link in the chain needed to grow, dry, and mill California Rice. The lack of water is causing jobs to dry up, jeopardizing the future for small ag communities throughout the Sacramento Valley.
Ricelands are the ‘Lifeblood of Pacific Flyway RiceNews 2022-08-12 | Sacramento Valley rice fields are an essential stopping point for millions of shorebirds and waterfowl. Drought poses many challenges for the migratory birds, but rice fields offer a unique and vital solution, with dual water use benefitting both agriculture and wildlife.
Giant Garter Snakes RiceNews 2022-08-12 | Listed as ’threatened’ on both the federal Endangered Species Act and California's Endangered Species Act, the rice-reliant Giant Garter Snake needs the flooded habitat in order to survive.
Quiet: The Farm RiceNews 2022-07-22 | The devastation caused by this drought has created never-before-seen challenges, especially for rice growers on the west side of the Sacramento Valley. The lack of water has altered the normal way of life for countless people and businesses in rural agriculture communities and has dried up the vital environment our wildlife relies on.
Drought Impacts in the Field and Beyond RiceNews 2022-07-01 | Grower Josh Sheppard talks about his rice fields that he was able to plant this year and the impacts of the drought in the fields and beyond.
Water for Rice and Fish RiceNews 2022-06-21 | Providing food and prime habitat for fish. Jacob Montgomery, Sr. Project Manager for the Central Valley Region, explains what California rice does better than any other agricultural crop and how Sacramento Valley rice fields could be the key to overall fish populations.
Drought Impacts in Williams RiceNews 2022-06-17 | Drought has forced a change in daily routine for so many, but for a staple restaurant in the Williams community since 1945, the trickle down effects could be detrimental.
Saving Salmon in California RiceNews 2022-06-10 | Professor of Fish Ecology Andrew Rypel, Ph. D. says Sacramento Valley rice fields are the key to rescuing salmon. The Pilot Salmon Project brings together rice growers and scientists, with the goal of harnessing the floodplain farm fields in the winter months, to help boost the struggling salmon population ahead of drought years.
Drought Impacts Everything in Ag Communities RiceNews 2022-06-08 | Hardships from drought-induced cutbacks are hitting countless small businesses, including a Butte County hardware store that has been serving surrounding agricultural operations since 1948.
Devastating Consequences of Drought RiceNews 2022-05-27 | If the drought continues next year, Grow West says there could be devastating consequences for businesses that rely on agriculture.
Agricultural Impacts: Jones Flying Service RiceNews 2022-05-25 | Agricultural aircraft pilots work as much as growers can produce. If drought conditions continue next year, the owner of Jones Flying Service says his business will be in jeopardy.
Wetlands and Rice Field Habitat go Hand in Hand RiceNews 2022-05-19 | Khara Strum of Audubon California talks about the need for both rice and wetlands habitat together to provide all the resources that shorebirds need when in our valley.
Substantial Ramifications due to Drought RiceNews 2022-05-19 | Joe Tausher, general manager with Colusa Rice Company, talks about the drought-caused cutbacks to rice dryers and other businesses that will ultimately trickle down into the community.
Jim Cook talks Third-party drought impacts RiceNews 2022-05-16 | Jim Cook with Colusa County Farm Supply talks about the conditions this year that will impact the local economy - from farms to restaurants and gas stations.
Rick Richter talks Third-Party Impacts RiceNews 2022-05-16 | When less fields are planted due to drought, the impacts are felt beyond the farm. Rick Richter of Richter Aviation talks with us about how the whole community is concerned during these unprecedented times.
Denise Carter: Drought Impacts in Colusa County RiceNews 2022-05-09 | Drought impacts can be felt in farming communities beyond the fields left unplanted. Denise Carter, Colusa County Supervisor talks about some of the impacts in her county.
Butte County Ag Economy Concerns During Drought RiceNews 2022-05-09 | Tod Kimmelshue, Butte County Supervisor, talks about the concerning impacts that drought will have on his county due to lack of agricultural income.
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in May RiceNews 2022-05-06 | Not much water at the refuge, but still a good assortment of wildlife on hand today. Jim Morris video montage.
Ducks & Drought RiceNews 2022-05-02 | Jeff McCreary from Ducks Unlimited talks about using water wisely during a drought and how the multi-use benefits of the water in rice fields are a great example of that.
Rice fields provide habitat for Shorebirds RiceNews 2022-04-22 | Samantha Arthur of Audubon California talks about the importance of the habitat that rice fields provide for migrating shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway and how crucial that habitat is during drought.
Waterbird Tour in Colusa County RiceNews 2022-04-19 | Supporters of waterbird habitat in Sacramento Valley rice fields toured Davis Ranches in Colusa County this month, for a firsthand look at how rice fields benefit wildlife.
Preparing for the Season RiceNews 2022-03-28 | Charley Mathews, Jr. talks about how he is preparing for the upcoming rice season and water availability. Hear more.
Helping Wildlife During Drought RiceNews 2022-03-22 | Hans Herkert talks about participating in the Bid4Birds program and the importance of adding water to the landscape during drought.
Sutter Buttes and Ibis Rice Field, Colusa RiceNews 2022-03-17 | The Sutter Buttes this morning, with a rice field and wildlife from Colusa.
2022 Capitol Roller Winner, Assembly Member Megan Dahle RiceNews 2022-03-17 | Assembly Member Megan Dahle comments after winning today's Capitol Roller Competition, signifying the top sushi roller in the State Capitol.
Rice Field Project: Salmon Release RiceNews 2022-03-15 | UC Davis wraps up the third year of field research for our pilot salmon project - with the release of salmon that have been using winter rice fields as habitat.
Ducky Morning in Colusa RiceNews 2022-03-09 | Early morning at the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge today. Jim Morris video.
Erdman Warehouse - Rice Dryers RiceNews 2022-02-28 | How does rice get from the plant to your plate? It spends some time in the dryers before it heads to the mills to be prepared for you. Hear more about it from Kim Gallagher at Erdman Warehouse that has been drying and storing rice since the 1940's.
Draining Fields RiceNews 2022-02-15 | Rice grower Kurt Richter gives an update on the first step of preparing fields for planting - draining the water.
Gearing up for Fieldwork RiceNews 2022-02-09 | Rice grower Everett Willey talks about the work that is happening now in preparation for spring planting.
Snow Goose HQ RiceNews 2022-02-02 | It's like a Snow Geese headquarters at this Willows rice farm. Rice fields provide even more value to the environment when water is scarce. Jim Morris video.
UC Davis Salmon Work RiceNews 2022-02-01 | An update from our Pilot Salmon Project - carried out by U.C. Davis. A group of juvenile Chinook salmon are getting tagged before being place out in the flooded rice fields.
Swans at Sunset RiceNews 2022-01-21 | Swans having supper at sunset at Montna Farms in Sutter County today.
Rice Conservation RiceNews 2022-01-18 | Peter Rystrom talks about the conservation partnerships and programs that many rice farmers participate in to help birds and wildlife in the valley.
Peak Migration Time RiceNews 2022-01-16 | A variety of wildlife in several rice fields in Butte County. Millions of birds depend on Sacramento Valley rice fields for food and a resting place. Jim Morris video.
Kites in the Breeze RiceNews 2022-01-14 | A pair of White-tailed Kites at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area today. Jim Morris video.
Friend to the Flyway RiceNews 2022-01-13 | Peter Rystrom shares one of his favorite things - seeing his fields serve as habitat for birds along the Pacific Flyway.
Snow too! RiceNews 2021-12-28 | Snow Geese in the foreground, a snow-capped coastal range in the background in Glenn County. Jim Morris video.
Golden Eagle! RiceNews 2021-12-28 | Golden Eagle at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Glenn County yesterday. Jim Morris video.
Merry Christmas from Rice Country RiceNews 2021-12-27 | Big grinds of wildlife in Sacramento Valley rice fields this Christmas season. Jim Morris video.
Ducks, Geese, Swans and Shorebirds! RiceNews 2021-12-21 | Wildlife by the thousands in Sutter County rice fields today. Jim Morris video.
