Grainiacs

45 Episodes

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Growing Opportunities: The Riceland Foods Foundation

2026-09-1722:14

For more than 25 years, the Riceland Foods Foundation has worked to create opportunities and strengthen communities across Riceland’s footprint. In this episode of Grainiacs, Foundation Board Chair Shannon Davis and Executive Director Austin Brown discuss the Foundation’s work, from supporting food banks and community projects to its growing scholarship program. This year, the Foundation awarded 12 scholarships to families of Riceland members and employees. Listen in to learn more about the F...

39 Years of Rice: A Conversation with Bill Free

2026-09-0322:32

After 39 years at Riceland Foods, Bill Free is getting ready to retire. In this special episode of Grainiacs, Bill looks back on his career, from starting at the Dumas facility in 1988 to the many changes, challenges, and experiences that have shaped his time with Riceland. Bill shares stories from his years across six Riceland locations, the people who helped shape his career, and the changes he's seen throughout the rice industry. Most of all, he reflects on what hasn't changed: Riceland's ...

The Rice Market at Home with Peter Bachmann, USA Rice

2026-08-1925:10

Grainiacs sat down with Peter Bachmann, President & CEO of USA Rice, to discuss the work going on at the nation’s capital and beyond for the rice industry. This conversation provides an inside look at the organization’s efforts surrounding trade, conservation, domestic promotion, and grassroots advocacy.

Managing Rice Delphacids with Dr. Nick Bateman

2026-08-0528:16

In this episode of Grainiacs, we sit down with Dr. Nick Bateman, entomologist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, to discuss an emerging concern for Mid-South rice producers: the arrival and spread of rice delphacids. Dr. Bateman breaks down what rice delphacids are, why they’re becoming more prevalent in the region, and what that means for growers moving forward. Listeners will gain practical, research-based insights on how to identify early signs of infesta...

Inside Operations: Powering Milling, Soy & Storage with Charles Brown & Jeff Madden

2026-07-2735:32

In this episode of Grainiacs, we go inside Riceland’s operations with two leaders helping drive efficiency and innovation across the cooperative—Charles Brown, Vice President of Milling & Manufacturing, and Jeff Madden, Senior Director of Engineering & Energy Resources. Together, they break down key projects and recent improvements across Riceland’s milling and soy operations, as well as the cooperative’s drier network. From infrastructure upgrades to engineering-driven efficie...

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