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.
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:
Hosted by:
Steve Linscombe
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
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
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:
Hosted by:
Michael Klein and Morgan Crafton
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:
Hosted by:
Michael Klein
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
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.
With special guests:
Hosted by:
Michael Klein
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
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:
Hosted by:
Michael Klein
