S1 E6: Helping Salmon

Rice fields in the Sacramento Valley are remarkably productive and versatile. From spring into fall, they produce virtually all of America's sushi rice. In the fall and winter, those same fields are home to millions of birds. What's next? A promising pilot project could help inform us as to how rice fields can help restore dwindling salmon populations.

Throughout the Sacramento Valley, researchers are studying the prospect of reconnecting the historic flood plain, through getting the 'bug buffet' found in shallow-flooded rice fields returned to the river to supplement the food supply for migrating salmon. 

Additionally, this is year two of an exciting project to raise salmon in rice fields. Through the Rice Commission, UC Davis and California Trout, thousands of juvenile salmon are being raised in rice fields at River Garden Farms in Knights Landing. When they're ready, these fish will be microchipped and studied as they leave the farm en route to the ocean.

Hopefully, this research will pave the way to have rice fields provide the type of boost to salmon that they have for the Pacific Flyway.

"What's incredible is the way the rice industry has decided to mesh with the environment, in such ways that include tracking salmon from Knights Landing all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. How does that factor in to growing rice, but it does," remarked Jack Armstrong of the Armstrong & Getty Radio Show, after visiting the pilot project and speaking with participants. 

With the vast majority of California's historic wetlands gone, there's increased reliance of rice fields as 'surrogate wetlands,' not only for birds but perhaps to help salmon, too.

"I think they are the difference maker," said Andrew Rypel, Associate Professor and Peter Moyle Chair of Cold Water Fish Ecology at UC Davis." If we don't figure out this problem with rice fields, we're going to be in a lot worse situation if we lose those rice fields. We really need to figure this out. All of the evidence supports the idea that these are incredible habitats for fish."

The Rice Commission's Pilot Salmon Project is made possible through sponsors, including the US Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, Syngenta, The Bechtel Foundation and many others. Here's a complete list of our valued sponsors.

Episode Transcript

Jack Armstrong: What's incredible is the way the rice industry has decided to mesh with the environment in such ways that include tracking salmon from night's land in California all the way to the golden gate bridge. How does that factor in with growing rice, but it does.

Jim Morris: Jack Armstrong of the Armstrong and Getty Radio Program. Innovation is a hallmark characteristic of California rice and a new chapter is underway, raising salmon and rice fields in an effort to help supplement the state's dwindling fish population.

Jim Morris: Welcome to Ingrain, the California rice podcast. I'm your host, Jim Morris. I've been working with farmers and ranchers for 30 years helping tell their stories. Rice is known as the environmental crop and for good reason, millions of birds spend their fall and winter and rice fields. Nearly 230 wildlife species in all live in rice fields. In fact, you might be able to hear the blackbirds in the background here at River Garden Farms in Yolo County where a new chapter is underway. It's a pilot effort to raise salmon in rice fields. It's a windy day here on the farm, but that's actually helpful for researchers in their efforts. I'm with Rachelle Tallman from UC