In the United States, rice is one of the most difficult grains to harvest due to the special conditions it requires. Rice plantations need constant irrigation, warm temperatures, and nutrient-rich soil. As a result, most of the US does not have the conditions to grow rice efficiently. The high need for labour also makes it difficult for farmers to compete on the global market with producing countries where workers' wages are much lower. To meet these challenges, American rice farmers must turn to new innovative technologies to increase their yield, especially in terms of mobility in the field.
Flash-interview
We recently had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Dony Jacobs, owner of a 1300-acre rice and soybean farm in Arkansas. Like many other farmers in the industry, Dony has farm machinery equipped with Soucy track systems. We asked him directly the benefits of using such systems. Here is a summary of our conversation:
Q: In terms of mobility, what are the main challenges you face on a daily basis?
A: Rice is a semi-aquatic plant that requires the fields to be submerged to grow. When it comes time to harvest, we drain the water, but the soil is still extremely wet. So, the risk of getting bogged down is very real.
Q: What equipment do you use Soucy tracks on and how long have you been using them?
A: We’ve had Soucy track system on the combine harvester and the grain cart for over 10 years now.
Q: What were the reasons for installing tracks on your equipment?
A: We were tired of delaying the harvest schedule for fear of being stuck in the fields. We were looking for something more powerful, with more traction. The tracks allow us to start harvesting as soon as the time comes, without having to wait for good weather.
Q: Do you get any other advantages from the tracks on your machines?
A: I know some people buy it to reduce soil compaction, but it’s not my case. I just increase the load on the grain cart, so at the end of the day, the compaction stays the same.
Q: Would you recommend the installation of caterpillars on combine harvesters to other rice farmers?
A: Yes! We’ve been using them since 09' and honestly, we couldn’t go back to regular tires.
In conclusion, rice is a completely unique cereal to grow. Muddy fields, constant need for irrigation and difficult harvest conditions are among the challenges that rice farmers face every day.
At Soucy, we are proud to manufacture products that help farmers like Dony to overcome these challenges and improve their productivity. Discover the full range of our products and all the benefits you can derive from using tracks on your combine harvester and other agricultural equipment:
https://www.soucy-track.com/en/agricultural/
