#114 The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show
The Rice Stuff
Michael is just back from eating his way across the 2025 National Restaurant Show in Chicago where he visited with members and investigated foodservice trends. Past show attendee Katie Maher stops by the studio to grill Michael about the show, and they listen to an interview from the show floor with Blaine Stewart of Heritage Rice Company. With special guest: Blaine Stewart, Heritage Rice Company Hosted by: Michael Klein and Katie Maher
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#113 The Science and Secrets of Rice Seed Production
The Rice Stuff
Retired rice breeder extraordinaire Steve Linscombe talks with Randy Ouzts from Nutrien, Tim Walker of HorizonAg, and Brian Ottis of RiceTec about the challenges of seed production, breeding methods, hybrid vs. pure line development, determining seeding rates, and how weather and technology shape the seed supply. Discover the cutting-edge practices and decisions that fuel the rice industry from the ground up. With special guests: Brian Ottis, Director of U.S. Marketing and Product Management, RiceTec, Tim Walker, CEO, Horizon Ag, and Randy Ouzts, U.S. Rice Manager, Nutrien Ag...
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#112 Rice, Resilience, Representation, and Research Mentors
The Rice Stuff
Dr. Angelia Seyfferth, Professor of Biogeochemistry and Plant-Soil Interactions, shares her journey from humble beginnings to having a lab with her name on it at one of the most prestigious research universities in the country. She talks about her innovative study of arsenic uptake in rice, the trouble of salt water intrusion, and growing rice where it isn't typically found. Michael asks her about the challenges and rewards of academia, mentorship, gender representation in STEM, and more. With special guest: Dr. Angelia Seyfferth, Professor & Associate Dean of Research, University of...
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#111 The Federal Reserve Banking System and Rice
The Rice Stuff
What, how, and why does the Federal Reserve do what it does? Hosts Michael Klein and Deborah Willenborg dive into a lively, humorous, and insightful conversation with Matuschka Lindo Briggs of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to get to the bottom of it all. From the Fed's ag advisory council to the Beige Book, and from consumer confidence to what's going on in Kansas City, this episode makes the decisions behind monetary policy relatable and even fun. With special guest: Matuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive of the Little Rock...
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#110 The ROI of Rice Checkoff
The Rice Stuff
The check off program is at times controversial, but do growers who pay into the program (and even those who don't) receive a good value for what they contribute? In this episode, Michael talks with Dr. Lanier Nalley, professor of ag economics at the University of Arkansas about his research into the ROI of the Arkansas check-off. Growers see orders of magnitude of return for every dollar - returns that are the stuff of legend. With special guest: Dr. Lawton Lanier Nalley, Professor & Director, Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence, Graduate Program Coordinator Hosted by:...
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#109 E-commerce Evolution and the Future of Retail
The Rice Stuff
How has the digital revolution changed the way we shop? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon explore shifts in consumer behavior, from online grocery orders to AI-powered shopping assistants. E-commerce marketing expert Eric Martindale joins to discuss the future of retail, how brands can thrive in this space, and why digital shelf space is the new battleground. Plus, listener mail proves people are tuning in! Don’t miss this deep dive into the evolving world of e-commerce. With special guest: Eric Martindale, CEO, Elite Commerce Group Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#108 AI on the Menu: Reshaping the Food Industry With Andreas Duess
The Rice Stuff
How is AI transforming the food industry? Hosts Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon talk with Andreas Duess, CEO of 6 Seeds Consulting, about AI-driven data, virtual consumer panels, and predicting food trends. From the impact of Ozempic on grocery shopping to the viral rise of air fryers, this conversation reveals how AI can be a powerful business tool—when used correctly. Tune in to explore the future of food, marketing, and consumer insights! With special guest: Andreas Duess, CEO and Founder, 6 Seeds Consulting Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#107 A Rice Retrospective
The Rice Stuff
What’s changed the most in rice farming over the past 50 years? Four life-long farmers from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and California discuss the game-changing innovations that have revolutionized everything from planting and harvesting to nitrogen use, marketing, and tractor tech. From GPS-guided combines to the rise of semi-dwarf rice varieties, hear how technology and research powered dramatic yield boosts. With special guests: Michael Rue, California rice farmer, Jackie Loewer, Louisiana rice farmer, Marvin Hare, Arkansas rice farmer, and L.G. Raun, Texas rice farmer Hosted by: Dr....
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#106 New Year, New Dietary Guidelines
The Rice Stuff
Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice's vice president of domestic promotion, makes his 2025 debut on The Rice Stuff to discuss rice's role in U.S. nutrition policy, the process of updating the government's dietary guidelines every five years, and how USA Rice advocates for rice to be recognized and recommended as an important part of a balanced and healthy diet. And what does "healthy" mean, by the way? What exactly IS a grain? Tune in to find out. With special guest: Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice VP of Domestic Promotion Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
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#105 A Flurry of End of Year Activity in Congress
The Rice Stuff
Before Members of Congress could leave Washington at the end of 2024, there was a lot of business to attend to that directly impacted the rice industry (and the entire country). USA Rice's Jamison Cruce recounts the "mad dash" to the end that resulted in economic assistance for farmers, disaster aid, a Continuing Resolution, and another Farm Bill extension. That, plus how hard is yoga and how bad are Texas allergies? With special guest: Jamison Cruce, VP Government Affairs, USA Rice Hosted by: Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon
info_outlineLesley finally made it to International Rice Festival, and she recaps her whirlwind experience at one of Louisiana's biggest and longest-running celebrations of agriculture. Hearing her interviews with participants, organizers, and competition winners is the next best thing to attending the fest yourself--but really, you should attend the fest yourself.
With special guests:
Robbie Trahan, Falcon Rice Mill & Festival Sponsor, Josh Spell, Festival President, Alex Theall, Chef de Riz, Troy Fruge, Farmer of the Year, Alana Abshire, 87th Rice Festival Queen, Isabella Hardy, 86th Rice Festival Queen
Hosted by:
Lesley Dixon and Michael Klein