USA Rice on the Ground in Texas for 51st Eagle Lake Field Day

EAGLE LAKE, TX — More than 100 rice farmers, industry leaders, researchers, and students gathered here on Tuesday for the 51st annual Eagle Lake Field Day, hosted by Texas A&M (TAMU) AgriLife Research and Extension.  The long-standing event was rained out the last two years but was back in action with near perfect weather. 
 
The day kicked off with meetings of the Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group where The Rice Foundation Director Dr. Steve Linscombe and USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Westlin, who both joined virtually, and USA Rice Director of International Karah Janevicius who was there in person, gave updates on The Rice Foundation, Capitol Hill, and trade policy, respectively.  Ducks Unlimited also participated in the discussion and provided a status update of the Advancing Markets for Producers grants (formerly known as the Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities).  

Janevicius also attended the Texas Rice Producers Board meeting where revenue discussions were held given the limited success with the COL-RICE quota this year. 
 
Field Day attendees were first invited to the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station just outside of Eagle Lake where research scientists explained what they are working on in each small plot of rice, such as selectively breeding for beneficial characteristics and studying various plant diseases and insect management.  The event was a first for Janevicius as well as Dr. Mithila Jugulam, the new director of the TAMU AgriLife Beaumont Center.
 
Attendees then enjoyed a bar-b-q dinner before hearing from a lineup of TAMU scholars including Jugulam on her goals for the Beaumont Center; a farm policy update from Dr. Natalie Graff with TAMU’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center; and current rice production challenges by Dr. Sam Rustom.  The TAMU team emphasized the importance of research reaching producers and policymakers in a way that is not only easy to understand but easy to put into action.
 
“It was great to see such a large turnout to celebrate fifty-one years of extension services after the last two years of weather cancelations,” said LG Raun, Texas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors.  “As Texas rice producers look toward harvest, the research shared at Eagle Lake Field Day will help guide management decisions through the remainder of the season and into the uncertain future.”  
 
While in Texas, Janevicius also visited Riviana’s Freeport mill to get a tour of the deep-sea port and meet with rough rice purchaser, Matt Hendricks, and hear about the opportunities and challenges being faced due to the current farm and trade environment.