Farming Simulator 25 Preview – New Crop: Rice & Long Grain Rice
The long-awaited rice farming has finally arrived. With Farming Simulator 25, we can plant and harvest rice for the first time in the series, introducing a method of farming that requires irrigation. We can grow both regular and long grain rice. Alongside rice, GIANTS Software is also bringing the Hutan Pantai map, inspired by Japan—a new Asian map. On this map, rice seedlings are planted in flooded fields and harvested with new Japanese-brand rice harvesting machines.
Rice and long grain rice require different water levels, planting and harvesting equipment, and, of course, seeds. Unlike regular rice, long grain rice is not sown directly in water. Instead, the rice paddy is prepared by sowing long grain rice in dry, cultivated soil with a seeder, and then the paddy is filled with water. The official blog post outlines the entire process.
Rice Types
In the Asian map set in Japan, rice is planted in water-filled fields in April-May and harvested in August-September. Long grain rice is planted in the field, then the paddy is flooded. For it to grow over five months, it should be planted in April and harvested in September.
Rice Paddies
Both types of rice are planted or sown in rice fields (also called rice paddies) – that’s a special type of field deepened to allow for water retention. That’s why you require open space on your land.
Via the build menu, you start the creation process. Instead of just placing down a field, you can shape it in any size or form.
Rice Greenhouses
This one is optional – you can buy saplings at the dealership. Or you build a special greenhouse dedicated to cultivating rice saplings. If your agricultural ambitions rely on increased rice production, you should look at growing them yourself.
Planting & Harvesting Rice
Here’s the equipment you need to plant and harvest rice: You need a tractor, a cultivator, a specialized rice planter as well as a harvester, and a trailer. Some lime should also be in storage – but for the end of the whole process. Rice fields are pre-limed when you build them, which is why you don’t need to apply it in the beginning.
Activate the water pump to flood the field, then plant the saplings. Since the rice planter will take care of fertilization, you don’t need an additional fertilizer spreader like with other crops.
The pump will automatically provide the correct amount of water. Just check your water pump daily to maintain the proper level, or you will lose seedlings and yield. All the water will be soaked up by the thirsty plants by the end of the growth cycle.
When the rice is mature, harvest it and decide whether to sell it, store it, or process it into products. To grow another batch of rice, apply lime to the field and cultivate the paddy after harvesting. Lime is only needed after a few harvests. Check the field info to see if it is needed!
Sowing & Harvesting Long Grain Rice
With long grain rice, you don’t need any water to sow your plant just yet. Long grain rice is sown dry. Just fill your seeder with seeds and start sowing one row after another until the whole paddy is covered.
After that, you flood the rice field and need to maintain different water levels at different growth stages. Don’t worry, the pump will only allow just the right amount of water. Check your water pump daily to maintain the proper level. If you don’t, you will lose some of your rice saplings.
Once the plant is ready to harvest and has consumed all the fresh, yummy water, just head over to your harvester and hop in! Your standard combine with a grain header will do the job.
Sell it, store it, or process it further at select production plants. But we’re not done yet! To cultivate another batch of rice, apply lime to the field and cultivate the paddy with a cultivator.
Growth Stages
Rice
Long Grain Rice
Trailer
You can access the pre-order pages on the official Farming Simulator 25 website, as well as on Microsoft Store, Xbox, Epic Games Store, Steam, and PlayStation Store from here. The game will be released on November 12.
For those interested, the system requirements for Farming Simulator 25 are available.
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