Medium-grain breeder Teresa De Leon, right, joins Rice Field Day attendees and enjoying Calrose sushi rice during the complimentary lunch Aug. 26.

 

BIGGS, CA (MPG) – A new medium-grain rice poised to replace a variety commonly growing in local fields was a major focus at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs, where growers, researchers and agricultural professionals gathered Aug. 26 for the 2026 Rice Field Day.

M-212, the station's newest Calrose variety, was released in January and is expected to reach seed rice growers for the first time in 2027. Researchers developed the variety as a replacement for M-211, retaining the high-yield potential growers found attractive in M-211 while addressing milling problems that ultimately led to the older variety's retirement.

Medium-grain breeder Teresa De Leon told growers touring the station's breeding nursery that M-212 averaged about 92 sacks, or 9,200 pounds, per acre in testing, about a 4% yield advantage over M-210. The variety also carries two genes for resistance to blast, a fungal disease that can damage rice crops.

"We believe that M-212 will be more durable at times where we encounter the blast disease outbreak," De Leon said.

A drone takes flight during a demonstration at the 2026 Rice Field Day at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs on Aug. 26.

M-212 also is less likely to fall over before harvest than M-206 or M-210 and does not have the chalkiness problem associated with M-211. Its grain shape, size, cooking and eating qualities are similar to M-206, making it suitable for blending with existing Calrose production. About 48 acres of foundation seed are being grown at the station.

Among those getting their first look at the variety was Maxwell High School senior Landon Barrett, one of five Maxwell FFA members attending Rice Field Day for the first time. Barrett's family is about to harvest its M-211 crop. Barrett said he came to Field Day expecting it to be a fun outing but found it was also a opportunity to learn more about the crop his family grows and the importance of research and testing.

"It's interesting how they're saying the M-212 is better than 211 and past varieties and how the yields are going to be better," Barrett said. “That’s a good thing.”

Maxwell FFA members attending the 2026 Rice Field Day on Aug. 26 are, from left, senior Landon Barrett, juniors Lucas Bowen and Lance Pearson, sophomore Luka Benedet, and freshmen Riley Pearson and Rhett Bowen.

While medium-grain Calrose remains central to California production, researchers are also looking beyond the state's traditional market. Long-grain breeder Nirmal Sharma's program is developing conventional long grain along with jasmine, basmati and aromatic rice, with promising lines being evaluated for yield, maturity and grain characteristics. The work could give California growers additional varieties capable of competing in markets where long grain dominates, including Latin America and other international markets, Sharma said.

Field Day also put emerging technology directly in front of growers through research into the use of drones for chemical applications.

The Rice Experiment Station has begun using drones for fertilizer and chemical applications and added a custom mixing trailer with water and mixing tanks, power generation, drone storage and a takeoff and landing deck. Station Director Dustin Harrell said the equipment has dramatically increased the speed and efficiency of drone applications at the station.

Researchers are also studying spray effectiveness and drift, Harrell said. Field trials found drone applications can provide efficacy similar to ground applications under some conditions while offering potential advantages including less chemical use, reduced traffic through fields and lower application costs.

Jack Sheppard, center, accepts the 2026 California Rice Industry Award on behalf of his father, Biggs-area farmer Josh Sheppard, from Tom Butler and CCRRF Chairman Kim Gallagher during Rice Field Day on Aug. 26.

The research demonstrations followed the opening session of the annual Field Day, which also serves as the annual business meeting of the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, the grower-owned organization that operates the station and hosts the event.

CCRRF Chairman Kim Gallagher said the work comes during a challenging year for growers. Wet weather delayed planting in May, high nighttime temperatures in early August raised concerns about milling quality, and production costs continued to rise faster than prices. California rice acreage is down to about 470,000 acres this year.

"Premium quality varieties are what keep California rice competitive, in good years and hard ones," Kim Gallagher said.

U.S. Rep. James Gallagher also took part in the annual gathering, recognizing the family of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa as the Rice Experiment Station named its new seed cleaning facility in LaMalfa's honor. James Gallagher recalled LaMalfa's pride in being a rice farmer and his efforts to represent Northern California agriculture during his years in public office.

Rice Field Day attendees travel by truck to the research fields for a closer look at rice varieties and ongoing studies at the Rice Experiment Station near Biggs on Aug. 26.

LaMalfa's wife, Jill, and son, Kyle, joined James Gallagher for the recognition. The station plans to have the facility's plaque in place for next year's annual meeting.

Ashley Pearce received the 2026 D. Marlin Brandon Rice Research Fellowship, a $5,000 award supporting students pursuing careers in rice production, science and technology. Pearce earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural and environmental plant sciences from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2024 and a master's degree from UC Davis in 2026. She is pursuing a doctorate in horticulture and agronomy, where her research focuses on how varying nitrogen levels affect California rice varieties.

The 2026 California Rice Industry Award went to Biggs-area farmer Josh Sheppard, recognized for his contributions as a farmer and industry leader. Sheppard has served in leadership roles that include the California Rice Commission and USA Rice Council and has represented California rice growers nationally and internationally. His son, Jack, accepted the award on his behalf.

The annual event concluded with a complimentary lunch, where rice played a prominent role on the menu.

For growers, the day's research stretched from varieties they could soon plant to technology that could change how those crops are managed, reflecting Kim Gallagher's description of M-212 as "the kind of steady progress this station delivers for our industry."

U.S. Rep. James Gallagher, right, joins the family of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa during a special recognition at the 2026 Rice Field Day on Aug. 26.