{"podcast":{"title":"Ducks Unlimited Podcast","slug":"ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625","podcast_index_feed_id":862625,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/dupodcast","website_url":"https://www.ducks.org/dupodcast","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Z-PGz1NGrMb8-5EXVVrlYdKejpFmD6KrtxDdSNtb_-Y/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9iNDJi/ODNkMmQ5ZWY5Mjdm/YzdhMDIxNGNiODEx/MmNhZi5qcGc.jpg","author":"Ducks Unlimited Inc.","episode_count":916,"summary":"Ducks Unlimited Podcast is a constant discussion of all things waterfowl; from in-depth hunting tips and tactics, to waterfowl biology, research, science, and habitat updates. The DU Podcast is the go-to resource for waterfowl hunters and conservationists. Ducks Unlimited is the world's leader in wetlands conservation.","last_synced_at":"2026-09-12T20:19:21.611820+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625"},"episode":{"title":"Rice & Ducks: Why Farming Practices Matter for Waterfowl (Ep 778)","slug":"rice-ducks-why-farming-practices-matter-for-waterfowl-ep-778","published_at":"2026-06-02T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625/rice-ducks-why-farming-practices-matter-for-waterfowl-ep-778","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/4a598a49","audio_url":"https://op3.dev/e/prfx.byspotify.com/e/media.transistor.fm/4a598a49/85a8471c.mp3","summary":"JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN Rice fields aren’t just agricultural landscapes — they’re one of the most important waterfowl habitats in North America. In this episode, host Dr. Jerad Henson is joined by Dr. Ryan Askren of Five Oaks Ag Research & Education Center and Patrick Dill , Ducks Unlimited’s Manager of Agricultural Programs in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), to break down the science, management, and real‑world decisions behind rice agriculture and waterfowl habitat . From energy-rich food resources to water management and farming practices, the group explains why rice fields have become a cornerstone of wintering habitat — and what’s at risk as modern agriculture continues to evolve. In this episode, listeners will hear about: The history of rice agriculture and its connection to waterfowl Why rice fields function as “surrogate wetlands” in the MAV Duck Energy Days explained and why they matter The massive difference between harvested vs. unharvested rice fields How modern harvesting techniques affect food availability Residue management (burning, rolling, disking) and its impact on ducks Why water depth (2–8 inches) is critical for feeding waterfowl The importance of invertebrates and diverse food sources in rice fields How infrastructure (levees, impoundments) helps hold water on the landscape The role of geese, weather, and timing in food depletion Why early flooding and late-season water retention matter How pressure, disturbance, and refuge areas affect duck behavior The realities of farming decisions: input costs, markets, and water scarcity Emerging trends in rice production (row rice, AWD irrigation, ratoon crops) Habitat loss risks when rice acres shift to other…","meta_description":"JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN Rice fields aren’t just agricultural landsca…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3964,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625/episodes/rice-ducks-why-farming-practices-matter-for-waterfowl-ep-778/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ducks-unlimited-podcast-862625/rice-ducks-why-farming-practices-matter-for-waterfowl-ep-778.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}