Our Secretary of Agriculture made an appearance here at Commodity Classic. He took the stage after we heard from political analyst Charlie Cook who provided a pretty clear analysis of where we’re at with the Presidential campaign.
I like the way session moderator John Phipps, U. S. Farm Report, described our Secretary as the “closer” following up on the work of Bush Administration Secretary Mike Johanns and interim Chuck Conner. Schafer talked about the farm bill of course and from the sound of it we’re getting closer to an agreement but I know we keep hearing that and so far we don’t have one. I didn’t hear anything new that we haven’t heard before but you are welcome to listen for yourself.
You can listen to Secretary Schafer’s speech here: cc-08-schafer.mp3
USDA released a document (Word doc) “developed from Administration analysis of impacts to current USDA programs – in the absence of enactment of a new farm bill or an extension of the 2002 farm bill past March 15, 2008.” It’s nice to have a “just in case.”
AgWired coverage of the 2008 Commodity Classic
is sponsored by: 
and 
Craig Lindholm is marketing manager for seed treatments with the 
“What we’re seeing in research trials with new Stamina® fungicide seed treatment and another pipeline seed treatment for soybeans in development are the benefits of controlling key seedling diseases for healthy plants right out of the ground,” Craig said. “This is critical to protecting and maximizing yield by giving seedlings a stronger, faster start, improved plant vigor and increased stands in those critical early days when soils are generally cold and wet.” 
Today we honored and roasted my good friend (and client) Gene Hemphill. Gene’s sort of retiring but not really from New Holland. He’ll be staying on to continue to work with us and also pursue some other projects he’s been wanting to do like write a book.
I know I’ve enjoyed working with Gene, especially as Cindy and I have worked at creating a company of our own in a very competitive media world. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with him and meet some very interesting people like Jay Leno, Michael Peterson and recently, Chuck Leavell. These are people who share his interests and values and he’s found creative ways to make those relationships work for the benefit of New Holland. I know they know they’ve got a gem and that’s why he’s going to continue to be there for us. Here you can see him getting a standing ovation during the reception.
This afternoon the winner of the New Holland Zero Turn Radius Mower was drawn near the end of the opening trade show session.
“Take a look at some of the things that have happened just in the last few years that have dramatically changed in the use of seed treatments,” Gary told the media. “Insecticide seed treatments are standard on corn and that’s happened in a very short period of time. Now we’re up to about four active ingredients being standard and we’re not very far away from six active ingredients being standard.”
This Saturday night at the big Commodity Classic evening of entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry one of the performers will be 
I’m not sure if there’s a coup going on at AgriTalk or what.
Yes. It’s time once again for another edition of “Guess Who’s Boots.” These boots were seen around the show this afternoon.