Wild rice low yield expected after rainy summer

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Wild rice harvest season opens; low yield expected after rainy summer
August 16, 2014
By Shaymus McLaughlin, BMTN


The highly-regulated Minnesota wild rice harvest season began Friday, and the Department of Natural Resources is warning harvesters to be cautious with unripe seeds.

In a press release, the DNR says that despite it being in-season, if the rice isn’t ripe, it’s illegal for harvest. This could be especially prevalent this year, because the late spring may have caused the rice to mature more slowly than normal. Most areas likely aren’t ready yet, the DNR says.

The Associated Press reported lower yields should be expected, possibly 75 percent less than last year in some of the areas hardest hit by flooding.

Northland’s News Center reports the wild rice season was actually delayed on the Fond du Lac reservation, possibly due to the late ice-out and wet, cool spring. A Fond du Lac program manager said flooding in that area wasn’t an issue for the wild rice.

The DNR expects peak harvest times to be early to mid-September, as long as weather remains mild. Bit noted some beds that had rice last year may have none at all this season.

“Some areas had exceptional rice harvests last year,” said David Kanz, Aitkin area assistant wildlife manager. “Early and sustained high water levels this year have hurt some rice beds, so as water levels continue to come down, we’ll have to watch how the rice responds and see if there is enough growing season left for it to recover.”

More than 1,200 lakes and rivers in 54 counties contain wild rice, with concentrations of rice being the highest in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca and St. Louis counties.

Harvesting licenses can be purchased online or from a DNR license agent. It’s $25 for the season, or $15 for one day if you’re a Minnesota resident.

More: http://bringmethenews.com/2014/08/16/wi ... ny-summer/