Sikeston Standard Democrat: Local News: Circles for rice: Thanks to a new technique, rice becomes option for more farmers (08/29/10)

Charleston-based farmer Donnie DeLine speaks about his experiences with growing rice under Valley Center pivots, a new growing process, near one of his fields in Bement. Mid-Valley Irrigation, which is a sponsor of the project, recently joined with the University of Missouri Delta Research Center and other entities to teach those involved in agriculture about the new technology at a field day. Looking on is Jake LaRue of Valmont Irrigation of which Mid-Valley is a division.
(Photo by Michelle Felter, Staff)

Harvest is expected to begin this week

michellef@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- For years, the only way to grow rice in Southeast Missouri has been to use fields with soil able to hold water and flood them.

But after years of research, a local irrigation company and others have developed a new technique to grow the crop under center pivots, which was tested by farmers this year.

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