- 1). Prepare to level the ground. Rice growing is a water-intensive enterprise, so water conservation is essential. Obtain a laser-guided leveling system for most precise results. This is a tripod-based transmitter that communicates with a sensor attached to the implement you choose for leveling.
- 2). Attach a power rake to the tractor to execute the leveling process. Connect the lower arms of the 3-point hitch to the hitch-pin apparatus and the center point to the hitch-point of the implement. Couple the power rake's power take-off to the tractor's PTO shaft.
- 3). Level the field, keeping an eye on the laser-guided leveling control panel mounted on the tractor. This will tell you if the power rake is receiving the transmitter's readings.
- 4). Create shallow furrows in the soil once leveled. Use the power rake for this task or attach a plow to accomplish the furrowing. The seed will be dropped into the furrows. Apply fertilizer according to your soil requirements.
- 5). Attach planter implement to the tractor by positioning its hitch pins and raising the tractor's latch control levers. Let the rockshaft descend so that the coupler hooks are lower than the hitch pins. Back the tractor up slowly. Raise the rockshaft until the hitch pins insert into the coupler hooks. Secure the planter to the couplers by pushing both control levers down. Raise the 3-point hitch until ready to plant.
- 6). Pre-soak the rice for 24 to 36 hours and drain it for one to two days prior to sowing. This procedure gives weight to the rice, which might otherwise drift from its intended location. Fill the seed hopper with the pre-soaked rice after removing any residual dust or debris and coating the hopper lid with talc.
- 7). Calibrate the seed distribution rate according to the variety of rice and your desired yield. For example, 100 pounds of Adair rice per acre should be planted at a rate of 39 seeds per square foot. Check with your nearest extension office for advice on planting densities.
- 8). Take the tractor with the planter attachment to the prepared field, lower the planter with the 3-point hitch and sow the rice seed. Lower the rockshaft in tandem with the planter implement. Adjust planting widths to correspond with the furrows on the prepared soil.
- 9). Detach the planter from the tractor when you are finished planting. Lower the attachment to the ground, turn off the tractor with its controls in neutral and disengage the hitch pins from the coupler hooks. Remove the seed hopper from the planter and clean out any accumulated debris.
- 10
Flood the field with water to a depth of 5 inches. You can do this by means of in-ground irrigation, sprinkler systems, or levee-release via ditches and canals.
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