The Rice Stuff

Hosted by USA Rice

Business Science

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Episodes

135

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

During each episode, your hosts Michael and Lesley will explore the world of U.S.-grown rice through the eyes of the people who know it best – farmers, millers, researchers, marketers, exporters and end-users. Whether it's amazing achievements in sustainability and conservation, exciting promotional strategies, or innovative technology, we'll get deep into the weeds to tell the story of U.S. rice. Whether you're a seasoned ag industry professional or just looking to learn more about the rice in your pantry, The Rice Stuff has something for everyone.

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60 recent

September 29, 2026Episode 13652 min

#136 Weeds, Weeds, and More Weeds

How do weeds impact rice production, and what can be done to manage them effectively? In this episode of the Rice Stuff Podcast, expert weed scientists discuss the challenges of weed control in rice farming, including the complexities of herbicides and the rise of resistant weed species. They share insights on innovative techniques and the role of flooding in weed management. Dive into the science behind rice cultivation and learn how modern strategies are evolving to tackle these persistent agricultural challenges. With special guests: Jason Bond of the Mississippi State Delta Research and Extension Center Sam Rustom, assistant professor and extension rice specialist at Texas A&M Conner Webster, extension rice weed specialist for the LSU AgCenter Jason Norsworthy of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Hosted by: Steve Linscombe

August 25, 2026Episode 13554 min

#135 From Seedlings to Harvest: Careers in Rice

We're going to look at rice industry careers in this frank and heartfelt discussion. We'll meet two new USA Rice staff: Caroline Slack who is joining the communications and content team and will be your co-host going forward and Mollie Buckler, who brings her experience from a rival organization to grower relations and Asia market access. We also celebrate the long ag engineering career of Dr. Tim Burcham, who is retiring as the director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Everyone talks about their journeys, their inspirations, and what they learned along the way. All that, and a tribute to USA Rice's Deborah Willenborg who also retired this year. With special guests: Mollie Buckler, USA Rice and Dr. Tim Burcham, Northeast Rice Research & Extension Center Hosted by: Michael Klein and Caroline Slack

June 23, 2026Episode 13441 min

#134 Dining with the Dean: Agriculture, Journalism, and the Food Connection

How do we bridge the gap between agriculture and the food on our plates? In this lively episode, Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg sit down with Jerry Hagstrom, a seasoned ag journalist, at a bustling Georgetown restaurant. They delve into the evolution of agricultural journalism, the challenges of covering Congress, and Jerry's unique insights on food's role in agriculture. Discover how personal experiences shape journalism and the surprising connections between farmers and chefs. Tune in for an engaging meal of stories! www.hagstromreport.com www.naaj.net/naaj-hillgren-scholarship With special guest: Jerry Hagstom, The Hagstrom Report & National Journal Hosted by: Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg

June 2, 2026Episode 13343 min

#133 The 2026 National Restaurant Association Show

Join hosts Michael Klein and Morgan Crafton as they recount their trip to the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. They share interviews with Pei Wu of Mochi Foods who is using all California Rice, the passionate team from Riceland Foods, Steve Hilsdon of Della Rice who is all about unique partnerships, and Michael talks trends and strategy with industry expert Kevin Gross of Kinetic12. All that, plus interesting Coke flavors, flying pretzels, and more. With special guests: Pei Wu, CEO & Founder, Mochi Foods Kevin Gross, Senior Partner, Kinetic12 Hayley Pittman Smith, National Sales Director, Riceland Foods Lynsey Russell, Director of Food Service Sales, Riceland Foods Stephen Hilsdon, Owner, Della Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Morgan Crafton

May 12, 2026Episode 13229 min

#132 Making the Market: The Story of Rice Futures

The rough rice futures contract is a little understood device intended to provide price discovery and risk management. From humble beginnings in New Orleans, the rough rice contract grew into a vitally important tool that has helped the U.S. rice industry compete in the global market. Michael Klein went back to the very beginning to talk with Jerry Morris who was at the table when the contract was just a concept and still trades today. Brian King explains how the contract is used, Fred Seamon talks the basics of futures, and Randy McNeil shares how the rice merchants fit in. With special guests: Jerry Morris Randy McNeil, President, Poinsett Rice & Grain Brian King, Owner, K & T Agri Fred Seamon, Executive Director, Agricultural Markets, CME Group Hosted by: Michael Klein

April 14, 2026Episode 13123 min

#131 Promoting U.S. Jasmine Rice

USA Rice's Cameron Jacobs joins Michael Klein to talk about last year's U.S. jasmine rice promotion campaign. They discuss the reasoning behind the outreach, target development, creative creation, tactics, methodology, and results. Plus Cameron shares some breaking news and offers a peek at future promotions. And given the timing, they take a look back at the 2026 NCAA March Madness campaign, that for Michael was much less successful than the jasmine campaign. With special guest: Cameron Jacobs, VP Domestic Promotion & March Madness Pool Commissioner, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein

March 24, 2026Episode 13048 min

#130 The 45th Natural Products Expo West

Michael went to Anaheim, California for one of the largest and most influential food shows in the country. He stalked the aisles finding new products and old friends, caught up with several USA Rice members who were there to rep U.S.-grown rice, and walked more than 45,000 steps for the pod. Listen in to learn about new rice uses, new companies, rice innovation, and more. www.batchfoods.co www.kevinsnaturalfoods.com www.dainty.ca www.dellarice.com www.nextgenfoods.com www.exceedientfoods.com www.lundberg.com www.chefbobo.com www.oliviascroutons.com www.raisedglutenfree.com With special guests: Bryce Lundberg, VP of Agriculture, Lundberg Family Farms Brita Lundberg, Communications Manager, Lundberg Family Farms Meryl Kennedy, CEO, 4Sisters Rice Steve Choi, Director of R&D, Chef Bobo Brand Michael Bosworth, CEO, Next Generation Foods Rick Rhody, CEO, Expedient Foods and Farmers' Rice Cooperative Charley Mathews, Jr., Chair, Farmers' Rice Cooperative Aidan Anvaripour, Founder, Batch Foods Chiedu Okeke, Director of Procurement, Kevin's Natural Foods Eric Martindale, Founder, Elite Commerce Group Jeff Clarke, VP of Sales, Specialty Rice, Inc. James Maitland, CEO, Dainty Foods and Dainty Foods US Hosted by: Michael Klein

March 10, 2026Episode 12950 min

#129 Understanding Rice Grain Quality

Steve Linscombe has assembled rice breeding experts to talk about U.S. grain quality and what they are doing to improve it. From fissuring and milling yields to farm gate value and consumer preferences, join us for this important discussion. With special guests: Dr. Maria Montiel, Rice Breeder, HorizonAg, Dr. Tim Walker, CEO, HorizonAg, and Dr. Adam Famoso, Professor, LSU AgCenter Hosted by: Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein

February 17, 2026Episode 12848 min

#128 The 2026 Farm Policy Fly-in & Nathan Childs

Michael Klein reports from a packed USA Rice Farm Policy Fly-In in D.C., where growers discussed rising input costs, trade pressures, emergency assistance, world rice stocks, planting intentions, and more. USA Rice members Paul T. Combs and Fred Zaunbrecher talked planting strategy and rice's reception on Capitol Hill. USDA senior leaders shared their thoughts on the ag economy, and then recently retired USDA ag economist Nathan Childs was honored and sat down to share his uncensored thoughts on applied economics, agriculture, the PIK years, market instability and how to counteract it, and learning from history. With special guests: Nathan Childs, USDA-ERS (Retired) Paul T. Combs, Sunrise Land Company Fred Zaunbrecher, Chair, USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, USDA Stephen Vaden, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, USDA Hosted by: Michael Klein

January 27, 2026Episode 12759 min

#127 Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina with Rice Leadership Alumni

Join Steve Linscombe and the members of 2025 Rice Leadership Development Alumni Program's trip to South America as they share the insights they gained on this valuable trip. Louisiana's Christian Richard and Eric Unkel, Arkansas' Brad Doyle, and Missouri's David Martin, along with Tim Walker and Peter Bachmann talk about the focus on quality, technology, and collaboration among farmers in this important rice producing region. The trip, sponsored by American Commodity Company, John Deere, RiceTec, and Supreme Rice, offered valuable lessons for the entire U.S. rice industry. With special guests: Peter Bachmann, President & CEO, USA Rice Brad Doyle David Martin Christian Richard Eric Unkel Tim Walker Hosted by: Steve Linscombe and Michael Klein