Texas, USA
June 16, 2026
Annual event to feature field tours, expert presentations, continuing education
Rice producers, industry representatives and agricultural stakeholders will learn the latest advancements in rice production and management during the 52nd annual Eagle Lake Rice Field Day on June 30 at the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station in Eagle Lake.
The 52nd annual Eagle Lake Rice Field Day will be on June 30 in Eagle Lake. (Chris Swann/Texas A&M AgriLife)
The event will begin at 4 p.m. with a field tour at the research station, 2963 Farm-to-Market Road 102, followed by an evening program at the Eagle Lake Community Center, 100 N. Walnut Ave. The evening program is coordinated by the Colorado County Rice Committee. The event is free and includes a catered meal during the evening program.
Participants will tour research plots and hear updates from Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists on current rice research and production topics.
Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for licensed pesticide applicators who participate in the research tour and evening educational program.
In the event of inclement weather, field tour presentations will be moved indoors and begin at 4 p.m. at the Eagle Lake Community Center, followed by a meal at 5:30 p.m.
Tour stop agenda
Tour stops will highlight AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension efforts in rice breeding, plant physiology, nutrient management, insect management, weed control and disease management conducted by AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Featured experts include: Lee Tarpley, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant physiologist and professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Shane Zhou, Ph.D., AgriLife Research plant pathologist and professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology; Fugen Dou, Ph.D., AgriLife Research scientist in crop nutrient management and professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Omar Samonte, Ph.D., AgriLife Research rice breeder and associate professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Shyamal Talukder, Ph.D., AgriLife Research hybrid rice breeder and assistant professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Lina Bernaola, Ph.D., AgriLife Research entomologist and assistant professor, Department of Entomology; and Sam Rustom, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and assistant professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
The evening program will begin with special recognition of BU Growers and members of the Texas Rice Research Foundation. Attendees will then hear presentations focused on agricultural policy and emerging pest challenges facing the rice industry.
Natalie Graff Stewart, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, will provide an update on the Farm Bill and agricultural policy developments affecting producers.
David Kerns, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension state integrated pest management coordinator, professor, and associate department head in the Department of Entomology, will discuss recent developments in rice delphacid management.
For additional information, contact the David R. Wintermann Rice Research Station at 979-234-3578 or the AgriLife Extension office in Colorado County at 979-732-2082.
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