Anheuser-Busch is the #1 user of sustainably grown U.S. rice. They use rice in Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and even in new Bud Light Seltzers. Hellbender Brewing Co. brewmaster Ben Evans joins the podcast to talk about brewing craft beer with rice, including the Louisiana purple rice beer he made last year. USA Rice’s Cameron Jacobs also stops by and the gang discuss future projects, Louisiana’s Crying Eagle lager made with local rice, and in the name of science and journalism, sample them all.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

The European Union has announced a complete ban on propiconazole to go into effect in September 2021. Michael and Lesley examine the decision to arbitrarily remove this tool from the farmer’s toolbox. USA Rice’s International Trade Vice President Peter Bachmann discusses the motivations; then University of Arkansas’ Dr. Jarrod Hardke, California Rice Commission’s Roberta Firoved, & USA Rice’s Dr. Steve Linscombe talk the science behind crop protectants, MRLs, and the unintended consequences of regulation.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Farmers and people in rural communities operate under tremendous stress that may feel unbearable. Michael & Lesley talk with experts about stress, anxiety, depression, and preventing suicide. Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Shimi Kang; the Stigma Free Society’s Andrea Paquette; Dr. Archie Mason of Agri-Health Network; and Arkansas rice farmer Mike Sullivan share their expertise & experience.

More help at: Agri Health Network Stigma Free Society Rural Mental Wellness Mental Wealth w/ Dr. Shimi Kang on YouTube

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Thirty-two years ago, the rice industry invested in itself by creating the Rice Leadership Development Program for young farmers and industry trailblazers. Michael and Lesley visit with program alumni Dr. Steve Linscombe, who now runs the whole program, California rice farmer Kim Gallagher, Louisiana rice farmer and merchant Scott Franklin, and Missouri rice farmer and equipment dealer Paul T. Combs to learn why they think it was one the best professional investments they’ve ever made.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Peek behind the curtain at the rice industry’s national trade association as President & CEO Betsy Ward and Director of Strategic Initiatives Katie Maher join Michael and Lesley to talk about what went into developing the new Think Rice website, what makes USA Rice different from other agriculture trade associations, and some of the rice industry’s unique assets. We’ll talk free trade, sustainability, recipe photography, bluegrass music, movie trailers, rice fanatics on Reddit and more.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Water is a vital component of rice farming and a precious resource. This episode explores the importance of water use efficiency and some of the many tools available to farmers. From alternate wetting and drying and row rice to multi-inlet and side inlet irrigation, drones, and flow meters – our guests cover it all. Arkansas rice farmer Scott Matthews and Mississippi State University researcher Dr. Drew Gholson join Lydia and Steve to talk all things water conservation. All that, Michael, Lesley, and more.

Hosted by:

Dr. Steve Linscombe, Lydia Holmes, Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Restaurants love rice: versatile, inexpensive, and with a long shelf life, it is a wonderful canvas for chefs. Foodservice guru Kevin Gross and Chef Carl Schwartz join Michael and Lesley to talk about working with chefs to promote commodities like rice through recipe development, the new Rice to the Rescue program, and more. And Cameron Jacobs is back to talk rice and restaurants, and they all share stories of their time in foodservice – from pizza and hauling boxes to bussing tables for the mob and more.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

The rice industry has one of the most impressive environmental stories to tell of any commodity. Not content to rest on its laurels, the industry created new sustainability goals to be achieved by 2030 and make the U.S. rice story that much more extraordinary. One of the scientists who helped establish those goals and existing benchmarks, Dr. Dustin Harrell, joins Steve and Lydia from his office at the LSU AgCenter to unpack it all. That plus Michael and Lesley share their personal 2021 goals.

Hosted by:

Dr. Steve Linscombe, Lydia Holmes, Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

A common misperception amongst Americans is that we import most of our rice from Asia. In fact, we grow more than 80% of the rice we eat and actually export rice TO Asia. USA Rice vice president of international Sarah Moran and director of Asia promotions Jim Guinn join the podcast to explain how they succeed in selling U.S. rice to Asia – a demonstrably discerning rice market. Michael and Lesley also discuss local food pride and share culinary missteps and overreaches that simply cannot be forgiven.

Hosted by:

Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon

Rice in the United States is GMO-free and yet there are thousands of varieties and dozens of traits growers and millers want to capitalize on or avoid. How is it done? Science, of course! Join two of the most preeminent rice breeders in the world as they talk shop and give civilians a peek behind the scientific curtain. Our own Dr. Steve Linscombe, who spent three decades as a rice breeder at the LSU AgCenter, welcomes Dr. Adam Famoso, the current LSU rice breeder, to the podcast.

Hosted by:

Dr. Steve Linscombe, Michael Klein and Lesley Dixon