Rice Shines in the California Sun

BIGGS, CA -- Enjoying the unseasonably cool 80-degree weather, hundreds of people gathered at the Rice Experiment Station (RES) yesterday to hear research reports, share a luncheon featuring rice, and spend time with fellow rice devotees.

RES Director Dr. Kent McKenzie, appropriately clad in a mackenzie tartan kilt, presided over the rice field day, bidding farewell to hundreds of friends and colleagues after 32 years working at the RES.  In honor of his decades of work for California rice farmers and the development of ROXY, a herbicide-tolerant production system, Dr. McKenzie was awarded the 2021 California Rice Industry Award.

USA Rice staff joined attendees on field tours to hear about the latest weed control programs, developments in the breeding program, and ways to suppress insect and disease damage from Dr. McKenzie, Dr. Bruce Linquist, Dr. Teresa De Leon, and Dr. Kassim Al-Khatib.

“This was both my first field day and my first time to California and I must say it did not disappoint,” said Josie McLaurin, USA Rice coordinator of government affairs.  “California is going through a very challenging time with droughts and wildfires.  It was uplifting to talk to so many members here about rice production and all the steps they’re taking to make it the best crop it can be."

USA Rice staff also toured the Farmers Rice Cooperative facility in Sacramento, met with representatives of the Pinnacle Rice Coop, and visited Greg Van Dyke's ranch and operations in Pleasant Grove.