51st annual Eagle Lake Rice Field Day set for June 24

EAGLE LAKE – The 51st annual Eagle Lake Rice Field Day tour is scheduled for 4 p.m. June 24 at the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station on Farm-to-Market Road 102 just north of Eagle Lake, followed by an evening program at the Eagle Lake Community Center located at 100 N Walnut Avenue in Eagle Lake.

The field day will offer an opportunity for producers to tour the research station, making stops along the way to hear from AgriLife Research and Extension scientists concerning specialty rice breeding, plant physiology, and plant nutrient, insect, weed, and disease management.

The evening program will be held at the Eagle Lake Community Center and will begin with special recognition of the David R. and Eula Wintermann Foundation’s support for Rice Research. Dr. Mithila Jugulum, Professor and Center Director at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension – Beaumont and Eagle Lake, will then introduce herself and give an overview of Center Research, followed by “Growing Together: The Road Ahead for the AgriLife Beaumont Center and Our Rice Producers”. Dr. Natalie Graff, Research Assistant Professor with Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University in College Station, will provide “Farm Bill and Ag Policy Update”. Dr. Sam Rustom, Assistant Professor and Extension Rice Specialist, Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Extension – Beaumont and Eagle Lake, will present “Texas Rice Pest Management Update for 2025”.

The evening program is planned and coordinated by the Colorado County Rice Committee, which is comprised of local producers who meet throughout the year to identify topics for the event that are relevant and applicable to producers in the area. Area agribusiness continues to provide crucial sponsorship to support this event so that all who are interested in attending can do so free of charge.

A catered meal will be provided at the evening program. Up to two continuing education units will be offered to all licensed pesticide applicators who attend the research updates and evening program.

For more information, contact the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station at 979-234-3578 or the Extension office for Colorado County at 979-732-2082.