Harvesting Wild Rice
This article is based on research conducted by Pab Orcajada, Provincial Wild Rice Specialist, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food , and Dr. O.W. Archibold, Department of Crop Science and Plant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan.
Harvesting is one of the most important activities in the commercial production of lake wild rice. Propeller driven airboat harvesters were introduced in Saskatchewan in the late 1970's. While the operating principles remain the same, significant changes have improved performance and increased harvesting efficiency. Today, the most widely used design consists of a 12 ft long x 5 ft wide flat bottomed, aluminum hull fitted with a 10 ft collecting tray and powered by an air cooled Rotax engine.
The highest recorded production using a mechanical harvester was 214 pounds per acre in 1984. In 1988, an 11 acre stand, harvested 5 times at an interval of 4-7 days, produced a total of 6150 pounds, an average production of over 560 pounds per acre. Although some of this increase can be attributed to ideal growing conditions, correct handling of the lightweight boat ensured high yields.
Characteristics of the wild rice plant that have an impact on the harvesting operation
The most common characteristic of lake wild rice varieties is the high shattering nature of the mature grain. This means that when ripe, the kernels drop easily from the panicle, unlike the paddy wild rice varieties which require threshing. Because the kernels shatter readily, timely harvesting of the crop is required to prevent the grain from being lost.
Seeds mature in stages:
Wild rice seed mature gradually, starting from the uppermost part of the panicle. Depending on weather conditions, ripening begins in early August and will continue for a period of 15-30 days. About three to six percent of the potential yield matures each day. Maximum production can therefore be achieved if harvesting is done regularly during the ripening stage.
A wild rice plant can develop many stems, particularly in shallow water sites. These tillers are capable of producing the same quality of grain as the main stem. However, tillers generally come into flower later: this makes the timing of the first harvest critical. If harvesting is done too early, it could damage the tillers that are not fully mature, and a large percentage of the crop may be lost.
When to start harvesting
Harvesting in Saskatchewan starts generally around the fourth week of August. Traditionally, areas in the eastern part of the province begin to harvest about a week earlier than in other districts.
The most common indicators which will help wild rice growers decide when to start harvesting are as follows:
When to repeat harvesting
Once the first harvest is completed the stand must be repeatedly harvested. Maximum production per acre can only be achieved if the area is harvested at least 4 times. This means that harvesting would normally occur every 4-5 days depending on weather conditions.
Operating the harvester
Increased harvesting efficiency can be achieved if the harvester is run at the correct speed by a skilled and experienced operator.
Wild rice harvesting is made difficult by the absence of a clear line of travel across the stand. If maximum production is to be achieved, it is necessary to harvest the crop efficiently, which means covering the entire wild rice stand during the operation with the least possible overlap. Skilled operators are able to achieve this by:
Care of freshly harvested wild rice
Cleaning the rice
Before unloading the rice, leaves, broken panicles, stems and other debris should be removed. Only clean rice should be bagged.
Storing the rice
It is important to let the harvesting crew know what the crop is going to be used for and advise them on how it should be handled.
Wild rice intended for seed
Bagged rice intended for seed should be tied tightly and kept moist until it is seeded. If it is not going to be seeded immediately, it should be stored under water in a protected site. The bags should be well secured to prevent them from drifting away.
Wild rice intended for processing
If rice is to be sold for processing, it should be delivered to the buying depot as soon as possible. If delivery is delayed, keep the bags open, standing up and in the shade. Wild rice can spoil rapidly if not handled properly. Spoiled rice should not be sent for processing.
Crop Insurance for Wild Rice
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has supported a wild rice crop insurance program since 2006. Coverage is based on the average production for the three wild rice production regions (Eastern, Central, and Western). Claims are triggered when the region reports annual production less than the average historical production, and is due to an insurable cause of loss, i.e. frost, wind, excessive rain, lightning, hurricane, tornado, insects, plant diseases or hail.
For more information on the wild rice insurance program, call the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation's toll free number 1-888-935-0000 or visit http://www.saskcropinsurance.com