Flooded rice field is tested as salmon nursery in Yolo Bypass

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/20/5202224/flooded-rice-field-is-tested-as.html

I wonder if this will replace the net pens in the future?

I saw that in the paper today, hope to catch a report on the results, sounds like it might have some really positive effects.

I wonder if they thought about the birds feeding on the smelts. 

Naoaki spotting!

I wonder if they thought about the birds feeding on the smelts.

 Like a big Cormorant Breakfast table.

I wonder if they thought about the birds feeding on the smelts. 

There may be some Heron's and Egret's, but they won't have to worry about any Stripers.

Here is the last year's preliminary report.
There were lots of Heron & Egret last year but we had 58% of fish existed the rice field (considering we might lost some fish due to the levee breach), so it was pretty good.
Fish definitely grew & got fat!!!

How do the farmers feel about this??? Seems like a good solution... Amazing growth!!! If they flood the field anyway. Could work out for all

From a nutrition management standpoint for the rice it might be tricky.   I know nothing about rice but I would expect nitrogen loss to denitrification and leaching.  Phosphorus could be lost with the added water too.   It would be interesting to know how they manage the nutrition.   These fields are used for flood control anyway, right?   That being the case would mean the grower is used to dealing with losses already.   


Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

From a nutrition management standpoint for the rice it might be tricky.   I know nothing about rice but I would expect nitrogen loss to denitrification and leaching.  Phosphorus could be lost with the added water too.   It would be interesting to know how they manage the nutrition.   These fields are used for flood control anyway, right?   That being the case would mean the grower is used to dealing with losses already.   


Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was thinking about this after reading the preliminary report. Could the nutrient leaching possibly be offset by the smelts waste stimulating microbes that break down organic matter thereby making nutrients readily available to future crops?

Man, I was thinking the opposite ... how does the excess ag nutrients in the field affect the salmon?

-Alen

From a nutrition management standpoint for the rice it might be tricky.   I know nothing about rice but I would expect nitrogen loss to denitrification and leaching.

Fish waste (ammonia) is converted to nitrates by nitrosifying and nitrifying bacteria. I am more worried about the pesticides used in rice production affecting the salmon.

Man, I was thinking the opposite ... how does the excess ag nutrients in the field affect the salmon?

-Alen

I was also thinking about this. Just because they manage to put on weight doesn't mean they won't have developmental issues further down the line. I guess more time and data will tell.

While obviously more work on the study needs to be done, it awesome to see that potential more help is on the way for the local salmon population.