The researchers studied how dabbling ducks use cultivated wild rice fields in Minnesota. They found that these fields attracted over 1,000 breeding pairs of ducks, mainly mallards, blue-winged teal, and northern shovelers. The nesting success rate was around 20%, with an average of 10 eggs per nest. Survival rate for ducklings was 42%. Overall, the study estimated that nearly 1,000 ducklings fledged each year from the study area, showing the importance of preserving nesting cover and improving nest success to increase local duck production.