Grainiacs

In this episode, we sit down with two leading voices in weed science—Dr. Ford Baldwin and Dr. Jason Norsworthy—to explore the rapidly evolving world of herbicide technology. From combating herbicide-resistant weeds to evaluating the promise and practicality of new chemistries and application strategies, Ford and Jason break down what’s coming next for modern agriculture.   They share insights from...

What happens after a soybean leaves the farm?   In this episode of Grainiacs , Amy Smith, Soy Division Manager, and Chris Cline, VP of Oil Sales, take us inside Riceland’s soy division to follow the journey from crushing and refining all the way to the marketplace.   Amy shares how precision and operational efficiency drive quality, while Chris explains how those products are positioned and sold a...

Crop insurance is more than a safety net—it’s a strategic tool that can make or break a season. In this episode of Grainiacs, we sit down with Morgan Mayer, owner and agent of Delta Risk Management, and Kyle Stovesand, VP of Lending & Branch Manager at AgHeritage Farm Credit Service in Stuttgart, to unpack the real-world impact of crop insurance decisions.  From understanding policy options to...

Rising input costs, stubborn pest and weed pressure, and tighter margins are forcing tougher decisions across the farm. And there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.   In this episode, we sit down with industry experts Dr. Ronnie Helms and Dr. Ford Baldwin to unpack what growers are up against this season. From evolving weed resistance and crop protection strategies to balancing costs without sacrifici...

Low commodity prices and elevated input costs are putting pressure on operations across the board, and that’s just part of the story. In this episode, we sit down with Riceland’s government affairs team and ag economist Dr. Hunter Biram to break down the biggest factors shaping this season’s outlook. From persistent input costs and global market influences to policy conversations happening in Wash...

You’ve done the hard work in the field, but what happens after your rice leaves the farm?  This episode pulls back the curtain on everything that happens behind the scenes, from quality standards to the steps that turn your crop into a consumer-ready product.

Spring planting is underway, and there’s a lot to unpack. In this episode of Grainiacs, we sit down with Jarrod Hardke from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service to talk through how planting season is shaping up across the Mid-South. From weather conditions and early progress to input decisions and field conditions, Jarrod shares what he’s seeing o...

We’re kicking off the 2026 growing season with a special conversation featuring Riceland President and CEO, Kevin McGilton. Fresh off district membership meetings, Kevin shares a candid update on market conditions, including signs of improvement in rice and bean futures, and the realities we’re still navigating.  A key focus of the discussion: medium grain. 

With the Annual Membership Meeting just around the corner, we’re taking you behind the scenes for a conversation about connection, communication, and advocacy in today’s farm economy. CEO Kevin McGilton, Director of Marketing and Communications Kylie Dewberry, and EVP/COO Ben Noble join us to discuss what members can expect in Jonesboro and how their teams collaborate year-round to keep Riceland m...

Harvest season brings change, both in the fields and in leadership. In this episode, Bill Free sits down with Freddie Gahr, Vice President, Drier Division, and Nick Kelley, Senior Director, Drier Division, to talk about this year’s harvest and the road ahead for Riceland’s drier operations. With Freddie’s retirement coming in December, the conversation reflects on his years of leadership and exper...

We’re celebrating National Rice Month with a special Grainiacs episode! Host Bill Free is joined by Riceland’s own Ashten Adamson Denman, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, as they welcome Cameron Jacobs, Vice President of Domestic Promotion at USA Rice. Together, they dive into how rice is promoted across the U.S., why Rice Month matters, and the creative ways the industry is connect...

In this episode of Grainiacs, we sit down with Greg Cole, President & CEO of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, to discuss the role of cooperatives in today’s challenging ag economy. Greg shares insights on rising costs, financing the next generation of farmers, and how co-ops like AgHeritage and Riceland help producers stay resilient. With 40+ years in the Farm Credit System, Greg brings a uniq...

Welcome back to Grainiacs! In this episode, host Bill Free sits down with two guests who are on the front lines of Arkansas policy affecting agriculture: Robert Moery, Principal at Broadview Strategies and former advisor to Governor Asa Hutchinson, and Adam Shea, Riceland’s VP of Sustainability and Government Affairs. Together, they dive into the state-level conversations that matter to Riceland m...

In this episode of Grainiacs, the Sustainability and API Grain Management teams sit down to talk through a new opportunity for Carbon Ready participants and how managing on-farm storage with precision can drive both profitability and sustainability.

In this episode of Grainiacs , we sit down with members of the Riceland Sustainability team to dig into the milestones of the 2024 program and look ahead to what’s next. From exclusive program benefits to the real-world value members are already seeing, this conversation reinforces Riceland’s mission: helping farmers feed the world, sustainably. 

In this episode of Grainiacs , we sit down with crop consultant Ford Baldwin, the trusted voice behind Ford Says, to talk about what he’s seeing across Riceland's footprint this growing season. With decades of experience walking fields and advising farmers, Ford shares straight-shooting insights on weed pressure, weather patterns, and what growers should be paying attention to right now. Whet...

At Riceland, the connection between our POM team (Procurement Operations Managers) and our members is more than just business. It’s a partnership built on daily conversations, shared goals, and a commitment to delivering value at every step. In this episode, we sit down with the POM team to talk about how they stay in step with farmers, align strategy with reality on the ground, and keep the coope...

In this episode, we sit down with StoneX Risk Consultant Ted Nelson, to explore the global forces shaping agriculture today. From weather volatility and geopolitical shifts to trade dynamics and commodity pricing, Ted shares expert insights on what’s driving the grain and rice markets. For Riceland members, this conversation offers valuable context on how global trends impact local decisions and f...

Carl Brothers spent more than five decades shaping Riceland—and the U.S. rice industry—with quiet leadership and big-picture thinking. From night shift operator to COO, his journey is one of grit, global vision, and groundbreaking policy work. 

🎙️ How do you choose the right crop insurance? What’s really covered? And how do farmers weigh risk vs. reward when the stakes are high? In this episode of Grainiacs , we’re joined by Morgan Mayer, Agent and Co-Owner of Delta Risk Management, to explore the real conversations behind crop insurance. From plan selection to the fine print, she shares what growers need to know—and the questions they s...

From the farm to Capitol Hill—Ben Noble’s journey has come full circle. The ag economy is facing tough challenges, Riceland Foods is committed to advocating for our entire farming community, from the field to Capitol Hill. In this episode, Riceland’s EVP & COO shares how his collective roots in agriculture and experience in Washington are helping advocate for real, lasting change for farmers t...

Change isn’t always easy, but understanding Base Capital is crucial for the future of our cooperative. In this episode, Riceland CEO Kevin McGilton explains why this shift is happening, what it means for members, and how it impacts the industry.