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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Farmers charge two companies with herbicidal crop damage

Rice field closeup 3x4

A Jefferson County farming couple and their business are suing two corporations alleging negligence, trespassing, unlawful property damage and willful destruction of their property.

Zachary Dishman and Josey Dishman of Beaumont and their business, Dishman Rice Farms Partnership, filed a lawsuit Sept. 15 in Jefferson County District Court against Ricetec Inc., of Brazoria County, and Twin County Air-AG Inc., of Chambers County, alleging multiple charges.

According to the lawsuit, agents of the two businesses severely compromised the couple’s enterprise when they flew over over the plaintiffs’ rice farming operation in China, Texas, on April 23.

The lawsuit states Ricetec, occupying land adjacent to the Dishmans’ farm, engaged the services of Air-AG to use herbicide that was over-sprayed, drifted, or otherwise encroached onto the plaintiffs’ property, resulting in approximately 742 acres of rice being damaged or killed.

The plaintiffs charge the firms with negligence through their acts and omissions, as well as intentional trespassing and performing an activity that was “inherently or intrinsically dangerous or ultra-hazardous” to the couple’s early-stage rice crop, resulting in an alleged economic loss of more than $1 million.

The Dishmans seek compensation of more than $1 million, damages, interest, attorney fees, expenses and costs. They are represented by attorney L. DeWayne Layfield of the Law Office of L. DeWayne Layfield in Beaumont.

Jefferson County District Court Case B-197563.

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