Mike Hamilton

Instructor - Irrigation Educator|UADA

2026 Abstract - THE EVOLUTION OF RICE IRRIGATION: This session we will discuss the evolution of rice irrigation practices on the Matthews Farm Partnership (MFP). Over the past 10 years MFP has transitioned from decades of conventional cascade flooding to Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation (MIRI). This phenomenon has not just occurred on MFP but has continued to gain significant acres across Arkansas. The difficulties experienced as well as the economic and environmental advantages with adopting MIRI will be discussed during our session. The new normal for agriculture must include proven technologies and techniques that help the bottom line. We used RTK drones, LiDAR, GIS software's, Computerized Hole Selection, Alternate Wetting and Drying, reduced tillage, soil moisture monitors, and other irrigation water management tools and practices during our journey. These changes were essential for our learning, developing, and improving the rice irrigation designs on this farm and should be implemented on all farms to improve irrigation efficiency conservation on every acre.