Caswell Farms "Stomping" History
Caswell Farms is owned and operated by Jeff and Cindy Caswell, a general partnership. We have been farming rice together since 1985, although Jeff began his career in rice in 1978 while taking a work experience class in high school on a ranch in Durham California.
Caswell Farms Rice Straw Incorporation began in 1989 when the news of a ban on rice straw burning was going to be implemented in 1991. Chopping, chiseling and disking were time consuming and expensive compared to burning the fields to rid the straw; therefore Jeff’s wheels began to turn. Cage Rollers pulled by a tractor had been in existance, and some beginning designs of self propelled machines were experimenting, but they were not successful, so we began creating steel wheels that mounted to a tractor and self propelled in a flooded field.
Trial and error occurred, which enabled the creation of our “stomper” that is known and copied today.
We truly appreciate our customers throughout the Sacramento Valley who have worked with us over the past 30 years, allowing us to stomp their rice straw and improve our tractor design. We have found that every field is different. The harvest method, type of straw, type of soil, water management and timing play important roles in effectively incorporating rice straw.
The tractor itself has evolved from steel wheels on a John Deere trike to a John Deere front wheel assist, then finally to a Case International tractor 9380/90 providing the horsepower to propel the steel wheels, and pull a roller. Specific widths in angle irons and diameter of wheels play a part in turning the straw over. Our chevron pattern was criticized when first created, but has proven to be most effective. We now have five 4 wheel drive stompers, and finally laid to rest our earlier designs.
We hope that this website will provide history to stomping and provide information for you to determine the best way for you to manage your straw. May you find the gallery of pictures entertaining as we have spent many years and heartache perfecting the stomper that you see incorporating rice fields today.
Caswell Farms Rice Straw Incorporation began in 1989 when the news of a ban on rice straw burning was going to be implemented in 1991. Chopping, chiseling and disking were time consuming and expensive compared to burning the fields to rid the straw; therefore Jeff’s wheels began to turn. Cage Rollers pulled by a tractor had been in existance, and some beginning designs of self propelled machines were experimenting, but they were not successful, so we began creating steel wheels that mounted to a tractor and self propelled in a flooded field.
Trial and error occurred, which enabled the creation of our “stomper” that is known and copied today.
We truly appreciate our customers throughout the Sacramento Valley who have worked with us over the past 30 years, allowing us to stomp their rice straw and improve our tractor design. We have found that every field is different. The harvest method, type of straw, type of soil, water management and timing play important roles in effectively incorporating rice straw.
The tractor itself has evolved from steel wheels on a John Deere trike to a John Deere front wheel assist, then finally to a Case International tractor 9380/90 providing the horsepower to propel the steel wheels, and pull a roller. Specific widths in angle irons and diameter of wheels play a part in turning the straw over. Our chevron pattern was criticized when first created, but has proven to be most effective. We now have five 4 wheel drive stompers, and finally laid to rest our earlier designs.
We hope that this website will provide history to stomping and provide information for you to determine the best way for you to manage your straw. May you find the gallery of pictures entertaining as we have spent many years and heartache perfecting the stomper that you see incorporating rice fields today.