Grain Gains: Rice Cultivation in Farming Simulator 25
Here’s the thing about rice in Farming Simulator 25: not all rice is created equal. There are actually two distinct types, long grain rice and the standard “rice.” Let’s dive in and explore the key differences between them!
Rice Types
Rice and long grain rice each require different water levels, specialized machines for sowing and harvesting, and, naturally, different seeds. Unlike regular rice, long grain rice isn’t sown in water. Instead, the paddy for long grain rice is flooded after the seeds are sown, not before. But let’s take it from the top!
Rice Paddies
Both types of rice are planted, or sown, in rice paddies, fields specifically designed with deeper ground to retain water. This means you’ll need an open area on your land for proper setup.
Using the build menu, you can start the creation process. Instead of simply placing a standard field, you have the flexibility to shape it into any size or form you prefer.
Rice Greenhouses
This step is optional, you can either purchase saplings directly from the dealership or construct a specialized greenhouse dedicated to cultivating rice saplings. If your goal is to boost rice production, growing your own saplings is a smart investment.
Planting & Harvesting Rice
Here’s the equipment you’ll need to plant and harvest rice: a tractor, a cultivator, a specialized rice planter, a harvester, and a trailer. You’ll also want to have some lime on hand for the final stages. Rice fields come pre-limed when you create them, so there’s no need to apply it at the start.
Activate the water pump to flood the field, then plant your saplings. The rice planter also handles fertilization, so there’s no need for a separate fertilizer spreader as you would with other crops.
The pump will automatically supply the right amount of water, but be sure to check it daily to maintain proper levels, otherwise, you risk losing seedlings and yield. By the end of the growth cycle, the thirsty plants will have absorbed all the water.
Once the rice is mature, you can harvest it and choose whether to sell it, store it, or process it into other products. To plant another batch, apply lime to the field and cultivate the paddy after harvesting. Lime is only required after several harvests, so be sure to check the field info to see when it’s needed!
Sowing & Harvesting Long Grain Rice
For long grain rice, there’s no need for water during the sowing process. It’s planted dry. Simply fill your seeder with seeds and begin sowing row by row until the entire paddy is covered.
After sowing, you’ll flood the field and maintain different water levels throughout the growth stages. Don’t worry, the pump will automatically provide the right amount of water. Just be sure to check the pump daily to keep the levels steady, or you risk losing some of your rice saplings.
Once the rice is ready to harvest and has soaked up all the fresh water, it’s time to get to work! Just hop into your harvester, a standard combine with a grain header will do the trick.
You can sell the harvested rice, store it, or process it further at select production plants. But we’re not finished yet! To prepare for the next batch, apply lime to the field and use a cultivator to refresh the paddy for the next planting.
