AgWired

The aviators attending the NAAA Convention got to hear some optimistic news today from Dr. Abner Womack, University of Missouri (pictured on right). He was here to talk about the results of the latest FAPRI outlook.

I asked him what the news was. For one thing he says that inputs are coming down. Then over on the price side he says they see more strength than they expected. He says this is mainly due to ethanol and the government mandate.

He says that we’d be in trouble without that mandate too. In fact, he says that without it, “you’d be switching off the light at ethanol plants.”

Prices may have dropped but he says that in the long term, ethanol will continue to hold prices higher than they’ve been in the past and higher than they expected. Right now he says we’re in a transition year coming off the highs.

Listen to an interview with Abner here:
basf-naaa-08-womack.mp3

You can also download his interview here: Dr. Abner Womack Interview (mp3)

NAAA Convention Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2008 National Agricultural Aviators Association Convention
is sponsored by: .

BASF Headline has been a boon for the agricultural aviation business and the fungicide was in the spotlight during technical sessions on the first day of the NAAA convention in Las Vegas on Monday.

Jim Gaffney is market manager for BASF aerial application strategy and he presented some results for low volume Headline application. “A couple years ago, BASF introduced two gallons per acre, down from five gallons, and we’re now looking at going less than two gallons,” said Gaffney. “What this does is allow aerial applicators to cover more acres with the same amount of fuel in the same amount of time.”

Listen to an interview with Jim here:
basf-naaa-08-gaffney.mp3

You can also download his interview here: Jim Gaffney Interview (mp3)

NAAA Convention Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2008 National Agricultural Aviators Association Convention
is sponsored by: .

The opening breakfast for the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention this morning featured a compelling story of survival, rescue and personal success by accomplished military Strike Eagle pilot Brian Udell. He is pictured here next to his wife, along with NAAA president Bob Bailey and executive director Andrew Moore.

With a story eerily similar to the F-18 crash today in San Diego, Udell told the audience how he survived the highest speed ejection from a U.S. fighter aircraft at nearly 800 MPH.

Here is just a small segment of his amazing story:
naaa-08-udell.mp3

NAAA Convention Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2008 National Agricultural Aviators Association Convention
is sponsored by: .

The National Agricultural Aviators Association Convention is officially underway after Dr. Gary Fellows, BASF, welcomed everyone at the kickoff breakfast. BASF is not only sponsoring our coverage of the meeting but is also a major sponsor once again of the convention. He told them that BASF is all about “keeping them in the air.”

You can hear Gary’s remarks here: basf-naaa-fellows-welcome.mp3

You can also download his remarks here: Dr. Gary Fellows Welcome Remarks (mp3)

Of course I’ve already started a photo album for you too: NAAA Convention Photo Album

BASF continued its support of aerial applicators as a diamond-level sponsor of the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) annual conference, which kicked off today in Las Vegas, Nev.

“The aerial application business contributes significantly to growers’ ability to enhance Plant Health for their crops and maximize yield,” Fellows said. “The critical role it plays in the growing process impacts us all, not simply as business partners, but as people. They help growers produce the food and fibers we all need.” Read More