At the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention last week I had the opportunity to chat with Chris Wharam, a BASF tech services rep with in North Dakota, about how they help farmers and custom applicators in his state.
Chris was already pretty familiar with the crop protection business before he took the job with BASF, since his family owns Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND. Chris also has a master’s degree in plant pathology from North Dakota State University. “In my role with BASF, I get the opportunity to work with many people all throughout agriculture – including growers, retailers, distributors, university folks, consultants,” he said.
One of the things that BASF does to help aerial applicators is sponsor Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins around the country. “It’s an opportunity for applicators to get their equipment calibrated and do pattern tests,” Chris said. “A little over 1200 planes have gone through these SAFE fly-ins, 150 different locations all over the United States.”
Many aerial applicators, like Valley Sprayers, also do custom ground applications for their clients, which Chris says is very important for cereal crop growers in his part of the country. “We often will make an application of Headline in the tank with our herbicide applications in that 3-5 leaf stage, and growers are consistently capturing a 4-6 bushel yield bump with that application,” he explained. “As the season progresses, we have an opportunity to apply fungicide again at the flag leaf time and our products at that time would be TwinLine® or Headline.” Finally, at flowering time, Chris says they have the head scab product called Caramba®, “again growers are consistently capturing anywhere from a 5-10 bushel yield advantage and reducing the toxins associated with scab infections.”
Among the many ways BASF supports NAAA is by sponsoring the convention kick off breakfast, which always features a speaker with an aviation theme. This year, that speaker was Brian Shul, pilot and author of the coffee table book Sled Driver – Flying the World’s Fastest Jet, which is a compilation of the best photos that he took over many years flying the SR-71 Blackbird. It would make a great Christmas gift for anyone on your list who appreciates military aircraft and/or breathtaking photography! You can order yours at SledDriver.com.
I interviewed Brian at the NAAA about the plane, the book, how he got such great shots, and his continuing love of photography – listen to that conversation in this week’s ZimmCast: Pilot and Author Brian Shul
Those of you who visited with BASF at the 2011 Commodity Classic may have gotten a chance to see corporate magician Jon Petz perform there. BASF liked him so much that they brought him to NAAA to entertain the aerial applicator folks. Jon, pictured here in the middle with some of the BASF crew, is a fun and really interesting guy. Not only is his magic amazing, it’s equally impressive how he works in the BASF message at the same time. Entertaining and educating!
Gary participated in a session with a few other crop protection product companies to provide an update on BASF herbicides and fungicides. First of all, Gary talked about the anticipated registration next year of Priaxor for soybeans. “It gives a brand new mix of fungicides for both controlling existing diseases and providing preventative disease control,” Gary says. “It raises the bar with what Headline is today as the standard in the soybean market, with more consistency, better yield and a higher return on investment for the grower.”
Gary says a new liquid formulation of Facet® herbicide has benefits for rice producers. “We’ve been selling Facet as a dry formulation for years,” he explained. “We’re excited to sell a true liquid because of the ease of handling and we also get better grass and broadleaf activity with it.”
In addition, Gary updated the ag aviators on two new label expansions from BASF, for Prowl® herbicide on pasture grasses and for Headline® fungicide in alfalfa.
When I interviewed Gary, he also talked about the importance of ag aviators to agriculture and the overall goal of feeding a growing population. Listen to or download my interview with Gary from NAAA here: Dr. Gary Fellows with BASF
Like all of agriculture, aerial applicators are facing potentially onerous regulations that could ground them if they are allowed to continue.
The biggest issue they are dealing with right now is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which National Agricultural Aviation Association executive director Andrew Moore told me just went into effect on Halloween. “It’s kind of a scary regulation,” said Andrew of the regulation which impacts pesticide application near water. “The problem is that it’s duplicative of everything that already exists to protect the environment in regard to pesticide regulation.”
Andrew says the NPDES would require a great deal of paper work on the part of applicators. “FIFRA already regulates the safety of pesticides to water, so this is a completely unnecessary burdensome rule.” In addition, Andrew says they are very considered about lawsuits under the new regulation.
So, NPDES was a big topic at the NAAA convention in Las Vegas this week, where workshops were held and applicators were educated about the current status of the federal rule and where it stands at the state level. Andrew says they are also urging aerial applicators – and really anyone in the agriculture industry – to contact their senators about the issue. “Because we’ve been successful in passing legislation that would exempt pesticide applications over water for FIFRA approved pesticides,” said Andrew. The measure has been passed by the House and has gone through the Senate Agriculture Committee. “We believe we have the votes in the Senate but it’s not being brought to the floor for a vote,” he said.
At this year’s National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful family that is dedicated to the business of aerial crop protection in North Dakota.
Left to right, they are Jayse Wharam, his mother and father Vernie and Glen, and brother Chris. Glen is the owner of Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND and a member of the NAAA board of directors and Jayce is a pilot with the company. Chris is a tech services rep with BASF in North Dakota, and Verni is the glue that keeps them all together.
Glen purchased Valley Sprayers in 1995 because flying was in his blood. “I remember flying with my dad since I was about three years old,” he said. “Fortunately for me, my two sons have stayed close to that industry as well.”
Jayce and Chris were involved with the business from a very young age. “Some of the earliest memories I have are being at the airport, my dad had a repair shop and worked on small engines back then,” Jayce said, noting that he just finished his 16th season as a pilot with Valley Sprayers.
Chris took a different path and went to North Dakota State University to ultimately get a master’s degree in plant pathology so he could stay involved in the agriculture and ag aviation business on the crop protection products side. He’s been with BASF now for almost four years.
Meanwhile, Verni has been in a totally different industry for the past 40 plus years as a neonatal nurse while at the same time supporting the company at home. “I haul the meals to the airport or out to the field wherever they are. I’m kind of their go-fer,” Verni said, although the men in her life think of her more as a saint.
Listen to my interview with the Wharams here: Wharam Famiy
This year’s winners were Jordan Loewen of Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND and Brad Taylor of Corinth, MS. They are pictured here in the center, Brad on the left and Jordan on the right, between Dr. Gary Fellows of BASF to the far left and NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore on the far right.
Brad received a $2500 scholarship to help with his ag aviation training. “It means everything to me. You know a lot of people work hard getting into this business and any help we can really goes a long way,” he said. Brad is currently working in Arkansas and the main crop he deals with there is rice. Taylor was sponsored by Dennie Stokes of Stokes Flying Service, which is based in Parkin, Arkansas.
Jordan was sponsored by Glen Wharam of Valley Sprayers, who hired him when he was still a senior in high school. “Now I’ve been working there for four years and got interested in the spraying part and now I’m spraying for that,” Jordan said. “Right out of my senior year I went to airplane mechanics school and Glen helped me out with that.”
We will hear more from Glen and the rest of the Wharam family – a great bunch of folks really dedicated to the work they do helping North Dakota farmers. The diversity of crops they work with in that area include sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, sunflowers, corn and soybeans.
BASF will continue support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins in 2011 through its collaboration with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA). Through the partnership, BASF provides financial support for participating aerial applicators, which can be used towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment.
“More than 800 aerial applicators participated in 99 Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins over the last two years,” said Tony Goede, BASF Plant Health Coordinator. “This important program helps ensure efficiency for the entire aerial application industry.”
In order to take advantage of the BASF Equipment and NAAA Membership Rebate Program, an operator or pilot must be an NAAA member. Although it is not necessary to be a member to participate in an Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in, that person must become an NAAA member before applying for and being granted approval for the rebate application. Then the operator or pilot can apply to be reimbursed for some or all of their 2011 membership dues or submit receipts to receive a rebate for nozzles and/or tips purshased for the aircraft.
“This program is proven to enhance professionalism in the aerial application industry by directing aerial applicators to join NAAA, where they have access to the library of education and communication stewardship services offered by the association,” said Andrew Moore, Executive Director of NAAA. “The program also allows applicators to equip their aircraft with new equipment to ensure precise applications. We appreciate BASF’s commitment to the industry, and thank them for making this incentive program available.”
Find out more at plant-health-pilots.com for the variety of resources BASF provides aerial applicators, including an “Ask the Expert” section for your toughest aerial application questions and true flight stories from aerial applicators across the country.
During the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention I met Don Younglove, R&R Flight Services (not pictured), during the trade show. He’s got three planes and the business is located in Mendota, IL. He’s a big proponent of BASF products by the way!
I asked Don how business was this season and he says that it was good. It was a wet year in his area and that meant spraying a lot of Headline fungicide. He was enjoying the convention because the trade show allows him to talk with company representatives. I actually found him in the AgSync booth. He says that he converted his system to AgSync this year. He says the conversion was “a little tough” but by the end of the year he found that they sprayed more acres in less time than the year before.
At the NAAA convention, BASF held a drawing for some custom airplane nose art. The winner is Terry Harchenko of Salem, OR. Hey, Terry, send us a photo of your plane with the new artwork if you get a chance.
Sometimes the unsung heroes of a trade show booth are the company sales representatives who work in shifts and answer questions for hours and hours each day. I spoke with two of them during the NAAA convention starting with Tony Goede, seen in the photo making sure aerial applicators got their drawing entries done right. Tony is the aerial manager for BASF. He says BASF has formed a very strong relationship with NAAA over several years. Most recently that has grown to include new scholarships. Tony says that since the industry is mature it’s really important to bring new people into the business.
Another one of the hard working BASF reps is Chris Wharam. About the only shot I got of him was this one as he was interacting with customers. Chris is a technical services representative from North Dakota. He thought the 20 degree weather we were having in Savannah was warm compared with home!
Chris says that BASF made another commemorative NAAA convention patch for the applicators that they could pick up at the booth in addition to entering their drawing for custom nose art for their airplane. He says that the NAAA folks are very “energized” and I would echo that.
Since I left the NAAA convention early I had to wait to catch up with Executive Director Andrew Moore (right) to see how he would characterize this year’s convention. Actually Cindy spoke with him by phone for me.
Andrew says they broke a number of attendance records. For example, they had 27 percent more room nights booked than their largest convention previously. They had nearly 1,700 attendees this year which is the highest number since 1998. He’s looking ahead to next year when the convention will be in Las Vegas. We hope to be there again.
You can listen to a NAAA convention wrapup with Andrew here: Andrew Moore Wrapup
Garrett Lindell, Lindell Aerial Ag Service, Aledo, IL. is the Treasurer for the National Agricultural Aviation Association. I visited with him at the BASF booth during the NAAA convention. He’s also a BASF fan and is pictured with Sue Koning, BASF.
Garrett says his business is about 15 years old. He’s got 6 planes on the field and hires up to 7 or 8 pilots during the peak of the season. With wet weather in his area this past season he says fungicides have been a big part of his business. I asked him what he thinks about my sponsor, BASF, and you’ll hear him say only good things. Like other NAAA folks I’ve spoken with he says that the convention attendance has been higher than expected. He’s also got a very positive outlook for the future of the aerial application business.
Apparently Garrett was the live auction winner of the PT6 engine donated by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Ag aviation newspaper, AgAir Update, got a short video statement from him on his winnings:
NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship winner Ben Cadenbach says receiving the scholarship “makes a huge difference” and will allow him to complete his education and become an aerial applicator. The people at the convention have been very open with him and offered a lot of advice.
You can listen to my interview with Ben here and hear what his plans are for the future: Ben Cadenbach Interview
The sponsor for one of the National Agricultural Aviation Association/BASF Scholarship winners this year is Waylon Woods, Wood’s Aviation. He’s pictured here (right) with scholarship recipient Matt Kollars. I visited with them during the NAAA convention to find out why Waylon sponsored Matt and what Matt plans to do with his scholarship.
Waylon says that he worked with Matt during the summer and was impressed with his work ethic. He appreciated his work and his help. He wasn’t surprised when he won and he knows the scholarship will help him a lot. With BASF as my sponsor for NAAA convention coverage I had to ask Waylon what he thought about their products and he says that this year he was “100 percent BASF.” I don’t think it gets any better than that.
Matt is planning to use the scholarship to continue his flight instruction since he can use the funds to not only get finished but in a more timely manner than he would have been able to otherwise. He says it “means a ton to me.” Matt says it has been a dream of his to fly and ag is a very exciting part of the industry. He hopes to one day have his own business.
Here’s the BASF team looking good at the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention. Their booth has been really busy and the stress relieving corn cobs are going fast!
Dr. Gary Fellows (second from left) has been busy not only interacting with customers in the booth but also conducting educational presentations and presenting the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarships. I’ll have interviews with the winners posted soon.
I asked Dr. Fellows to tell my about all the ways that BASF has become involved in supporting and working with NAAA. He says that the ag aviators have become extremely important to modern production agriculture and BASF is proud to be a major sponsor. You can listen to my interview with Dr. Fellows here: Dr. Gary Fellows Interview
Like a lot of associations, the National Agricultural Aviation Association conducts an auction to raise funds during their convention. Actually, there are both a silent and live auction. The live auction took place at the end of the day yesterday and it was a packed house and a good party. One of the big ticket items was a Pratt & Whitney Canada new PT6A-34 AG engine with basic warranty coverage of 1000 hours, with no calendar limit, new parts primary parts service and extended engine service policy.
I don’t know what the results were but I’m betting they were good since there is a record attendance at this year’s convention. You can get a feel for the action in a short video clip below.
The moon has risen over Savannah, GA. The NAAA convention will continue tomorrow but I will be traveling back to Missouri. However, I have multiple interviews to post over the coming days so my coverage is not done.
This evening the NAAA live auction took place and there are photos in the online photo album. It was very well attended and one of the more active ones I’ve attended.
One of the exhibitors at the NAAA Trade Show is AgSync. I met Sales Manager, Clay Rassi who explained what the company offer agricultural applicators. Their slogan is “It’s not just about maps anymore.” It sure isn’t. For one thing the company has expanded their product and services via integrated partnerships that includes AgWired sponsor BASF.
Clay says the company offers everything from customer management to mapping to communicating work orders to creating missions and organizing the loads and efficiency of the airplanes and more. From a precision ag standpoint their products help aerial applicators be more efficient while helping them make sure they’re in the right field and applying the right product. In my interview with Clay he describes their partners. BASF for example, assists with marketing their products.
I’m taking a cue from my daughter Chelsea and doing a little cute baby blogging. She has it as a regular feature on her website.
In this photo we have cute NAAA Trade Show baby after stopping by the BASF booth. She’s holding one of the corn cob stress relievers that attendees will find when they stop by. Somehow I don’t think this potentially future aerial applicator is under a lot of stress at the moment!
Brian Rau is a farmer and an aerial applicator with Medina Flying Service Inc.. He’s also President of the NAAA. Brian welcomed everyone to this record breaking convention and I spoke with him afterward.
Brian says he got interested in flying and aerial application because his dad flew combat missions and did aerial application for their farm. When he got out of college he wanted something more than “just farming” so he worked as an aerial applicator for a couple years before returning to the farm and starting his own flying business. He accepted the position of President of NAAA because he sees some challenges facing the business and those are primarily regulatory. He’s optimistic about the future because conventional agriculture, to which aerial application is very important, will play a key role in helping the environment while feeding the population that is expected to continue growing.
In this week's program Chuck talks with Mike Adams, AgriTalk.
Chuck and Mike often wind up at the same events all over the country so it seemed like a good idea to do a little AgriTalking about the changes they've seen in the ag media landscape.
At the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention last week I had the opportunity to chat with Chris Wharam, a BASF tech services rep with in North Dakota, about how they help farmers and custom applicators in his state. 
Last week I attended the 
Among the many ways BASF supports NAAA is by sponsoring the convention kick off breakfast, which always features a speaker with an aviation theme. This year, that speaker was Brian Shul, pilot and author of the coffee table book 
There was magic in the air at the 
During the 
Gary says a new liquid formulation of 
Like all of agriculture, aerial applicators are facing potentially onerous regulations that could ground them if they are allowed to continue. 
Andrew says the NPDES would require a great deal of paper work on the part of applicators. “FIFRA already regulates the safety of pesticides to water, so this is a completely unnecessary burdensome rule.” In addition, Andrew says they are very considered about lawsuits under the new regulation. 
At this year’s 
The kick-off breakfast for the 
In order to take advantage of the BASF Equipment and NAAA Membership Rebate Program, an operator or pilot must be an NAAA member. Although it is not necessary to be a member to participate in an Operation S.A.F.E. fly-in, that person must become an NAAA member before applying for and being granted approval for the rebate application. Then the operator or pilot can apply to be reimbursed for some or all of their 2011 membership dues or submit receipts to receive a rebate for nozzles and/or tips purshased for the aircraft. 
.
In this week's program Chuck talks with Mike Adams, AgriTalk.
