Due to the cost of extracting water, effective and efficient utilization of irrigation water for rice (Oryza sativa L.) is critical to rice farm profitability. A computer program has been developed to predict the stage of development for draining rice at which the risk of reduced grain yield or milling quality from insufficient water is considered near zero. The parameters of the model are predictions of (1) temperature projections during rice reproductive growth stages (RRGS) starting at R3, (2) timing of various RRGS, (3) amounts of water used by the rice crop at each growth stage and (4) the water held in the soil profile after draining which is available to the rice crop. The central goal of the model is to allow draining at an RRGS in which (a) danger of reducing yield and quality from water deficits is near zero and (b) water is conserved and land conditions for harvest are improved. Field experiments to test the predictions were conducted in 2005 and 2006 at Gillett and Stuttgart. An experiment was also conducted DeWitt in 2006. The treatments were a control treatment which was drained later versus rice treatments drained by the program predictions/recommendations. Yield and milling quality did not differ between the treatments (control versus drained by program predictions) at any year or location. Predicted water savings from only one less 76 mm irrigation ranged between $9.81 to $46.49 per ha. Consequently, our tests showed that the program predictions allowed earlier draining, water savings and no losses of grain yield or of milling quality. Implementation of the program by farmers can save money, increase soybean yields, reduce tillage costs, lessen management problems associated with red rice and reduce unnecessary depletion of the aquifers.