#129 Understanding Rice Grain Quality

#129 Understanding Rice Grain Quality

Author: USA Rice March 10, 2026 Duration: 50:46

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


Digging into the complex and surprisingly fascinating world of a single grain, The Rice Stuff is a conversation about more than just agriculture. Hosts Michael and Lesley serve as guides, pulling back the curtain on the entire journey of U.S.-grown rice, from the soil in the fields to its place on global tables. They achieve this by stepping aside to let the real experts speak: the farmers making daily decisions under the sun, the scientists in labs developing resilient varieties, the millers ensuring quality, and the marketers navigating international trade. Each episode of this podcast feels like a field visit or a behind-the-scenes meeting, uncovering narratives that intersect science, business, and environmental stewardship. You’ll hear about tangible conservation efforts that protect water and land, the economic strategies that connect American farms to overseas markets, and the technological innovations quietly transforming a traditional industry. It’s a detailed portrait of a staple food, revealing the dedication and ingenuity embedded in every bag. While those within the agriculture sector will find deep, relevant insights, the stories are told with a clarity that welcomes anyone curious about where their food comes from and the intricate systems that produce it. Tune in for genuine conversations that go beyond the surface, offering a new appreciation for the people and processes behind U.S. rice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 130

The Rice Stuff
Podcast Episodes
#89 Taking a Victory Lap: Celebrating Successes in the Rice Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:38
High performing people & organizations often don't celebrate their victories before tackling the next project. We take a breath for this episode to focus on important successes in the industry that benefit us all. First,…
#88 Addressing Grain Characteristic Concerns With FECARROZ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:15
Latin America is an important destination for U.S.-grown rice, but consumers there have different expectations for their rice than U.S. consumers. In this episode, Michael & Lesley talk about this with Sarah Moran, Chief…
#87 Sake All Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:45
The Rice Stuff's most prolific recurring guest, Cameron Jacobs, tells Michael and Lesley all about his adventures at the American Craft Sake Fest in Hot Springs, AR. Turns out, sake brewed with U.S.-grown rice pairs well…
#86 Rice Pest Research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:08
Humans aren't the only creatures who love to eat rice, which is why the work of entomologists like Dr. Blake Wilson of the LSU Ag Center and Dr. Lina Bernaola of Texas A&M Agrilife Research is so important. In this episo…
#85 Can Rice Be Fancy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
Members of the Specialty Food Association (SFA) create high-end foods and drinks. Rice is often found as an ingredient, but why not take the spotlight? Michael went to SFA's Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas last month to ask…
#84 USA Rice's Climate Smart Commodity Grants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
In 2022, USDA announced Climate Smart Commodity grants, with the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited - National Black Growers Council application receiving the highest score and $80 million. Throughout 2023, the details of the pr…
#83 Ag Labor, Wages, and the H-2A Program [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
U.S. agriculture is facing a major labor shortage and increasingly relies on foreign workers to keep food on our tables. The government program designed to help is complex, confusing, and confounding in many aspects. Ag…
#82 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference Wrap Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
The 2023 USA Rice Outlook Conference took place in early December in Indian Wells, California. Rice industry members from around the world gathered to network and learn from dozens of speakers on as many important topics…
#81 The Importance and Success of Rice Trade Missions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:30
With about half of the annual U.S. rice crop exported every year, maintaining & expanding overseas markets and finding new ones is a critical function for USA Rice. Reverse trade missions are an important tool for our ex…
#80 The 86th International Rice Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:26
Once again, Michael attended the International Rice Festival (IRF) in Crowley, Louisiana and lived to tell the tale. Lesley & Michael discuss the interviews he brought back with the 86th IRF Rice Queen and her sister, th…