Ratooning – Fine Points For Second Cropping

By Dustin Harrell, LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist

Research has been conducted on post- harvest stubble manipulation in ratoon rice production for many years. In general, post- harvest flail mowing or bush hogging to approximately 8-inches or post-harvest rolling the stubble increases ratoon rice yields. Both practices encourage the ratoon regrowth to come from the crown node of the plant.