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 tours are effective for increasing awareness of the research being conducted by Texas A & M AgriLife Research scientists. The evening program provides educational support for rice production, giving Texas rice farmers a competitive advantage,” said John Lee Korenek, Jr.

Manager, Farm Research Service Texas A & M AgriLife Research at the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station.

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.

Korenek said that normally more than 75 people attend the annual event.

“Generally, 75 to 100 people are expected to take part in the Field Tours and 100 to 125 people are expected to attend the evening program, which includes a complimentary meal. Attendees can obtain 1 CEU (continuing education credit) by taking part in the Field Tour and an additional 1 CEU if they attend the evening program. These CEUs are necessary to maintain their pesticide applicator’s license,” Korenek said.

Korenek said these are the Field Tour stops and speakers for the 51st Annual Eagle Lake Rice Field Day, which are separate from the evening program for speakers and topics.

Breeding program updates on advanced lines and discussion about potential release — Shyamal Talukder, Ph.D., AgriLife Research hybrid rice breeder and assistant professor, Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Breeding for high amylose rice, jasmine rice and basmati-type rice at Texas A&M AgriLife Research — Omar Samonte, Ph.D., AgriLife Research rice breeder and associate professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Hoja blanca: Identifying and managing this invasive viral disease now emerging in Texas, and Kernel smut: Using spore trapping for early detection and applying fungicides for effective control — Shane Zhou, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant pathologist and professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

The potential for new and recently released rice — Sam Rustom, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Alternate wetting and drying in nitrogen on rice — Fugen Dou, Ph.D., AgriLife Research scientist in crop nutrient management and professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Promising plant growth regulators for Texas rice crop production — Lee Tarpley, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant physiologist and professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.

Insect pest management updates — Lina Bernaola, Ph.D., AgriLife Research entomologist and assistant professor, Department of Entomology.

The evening program will begin with a special recognition of the David R. and Eula Wintermann Foundation’s support of rice research.

Mithila Jugulum, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Beaumont and professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, will provide an overview of the center’s research. She will also present “Growing Together: The Road Ahead for the AgriLife Beaumont Center and Our Rice Producers”.

Natalie Graff, Ph.D., research assistant professor, Texas A&M Food and Ag Policy Center, Department of Agricultural Economics, will update producers on the farm bill and other agricultural policies affecting the rice industry.

Rustom will conclude the evening by providing an update on Texas rice pest management for 2025.

The evening program will be held at the Eagle Lake Community Center and will begin with special recognition of David R and Eula Wintermann Foundation’s support to 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 Exentsion – 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.

Korenek said he hopes that all Rice producers in the area will attend the informative event.

“Please come out for an evening of educational opportunities, a complimentary BBQ meal and a chance to visit rice research scientists, industry representatives and commercial exhibitors,” Korenek said.

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.