Minnesota DNR offers tips for those new to harvesting As the Aug. 15 wild rice season opening date approaches, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters that rice stands must be ripe before they can be legally harvested.
Wild rice harvesters going out during the upcoming season will find generally good conditions throughout much of Minnesota.
“Unusually warm days this spring got plant growth off to a fast start and generally dry weather has meant many rice waters weren’t impacted by rainstorms,” said Ricky Lien, Minnesota DNR wetland habitat team supervisor. “Overall rice stands are looking pretty good, though rice stands on some lakes are better than others.”
As people consider harvesting, they need to know the regulations that help protect wild rice stands for future years. Harvesters are allowed to take ripe wild rice each year during the harvesting season that runs between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30, but Minnesota’s green rice law makes it illegal to harvest unripe or “green” rice, even within the dates of the harvest season. So, although rice beds might look like they are ready, ricers must make sure the grain is ripe and falling easily from the stalk before attempting to harvest it.
Early reports from Minnesota DNR and tribal biologists indicate average to great rice stands across central and northern Minnesota, but conditions are variable for individual waters.
“People interested in harvesting wild rice should do some scouting to look for good stands of rice,” Lien said. “Folks will also want to do some scouting to check access conditions. Right now, most basins have enough water to float a canoe. But if the dry weather pattern continues, lake levels will continue to drop, and come late August, there might not be enough water to get to the rice.”
Source: mn.us
Photo Credit: istock-digitalsoul
Categories: Minnesota, Crops