22 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 198 — Spring 2017 COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF DELAYED PERMANENT WATER l  Rice growers in the Finley Discussion Groups have shared their experiences with delayed permanent water on rice for the 2016–17 rice season, to consolidate their list of checks for success. l  The key requirements for successful delayed permanent water include a good irrigation layout, good paddock preparation, good weed management, early sowing and good water management. l  Barriers to adoption of delayed permanent water include high seed burdens of barnyard grass, wet conditions early in the season, poor/ slow water supply at time of permanent water application, and not having the labour to match the demands of rice crop establishment and winter crop harvest. Delaying permanent water on rice can be a profitable way to grow rice with less water, however there is always more to learn. John Lacy Agricultural Consultant, Finley SINCE the first trials and farmer experiences of delayed permanent water, the Finley Discussion Groups have been updating practices for and barriers to successful rice growing with delayed permanent water. Adding the experiences and observations of the 2016–17 rice season to their accumulated knowledge, this article outlines an updated list of key practices to implement (checks) and barriers to overcome. 1. Good lasered layout Check: A good lasered layout waters and drains the crop well. Barrier: Without a lasered layout, delayed permanent water is not possible. 2. Paddock preparation Check: Ideally, fallow in autumn and keep the paddock weed free, so the soil is soft by sowing time. QUICK TAKE Rice growers from the Finley area have compiled a list of checks and barriers for the practice of delayed permanent water on rice.