The new Vice President of NAFB is Greg Akagi, Kansas Agriculture Network. That means he’ll automatically ascend to President in 2 years. Here’s Greg in action at Trade Talk.
I spoke with Greg after the election and he’s really moved by the confidence the membership has in him and grateful for their vote. One of the things he’s looking forward to accomplishing is the implementation of the new strategic plan. When I asked him what he thinks of the future of farm broadcasting he says it’s going to be tough but having an organization to help means that members can work together to continue the success that farm radio has had for so long.
Listen to my interview with Greg here: nafb-07-akagi.mp3
You can also download the interview here: 
Greg Akagi Interview (3 min MP3)
Our NAFB President until tonight is Pam Fretwell, WTAD. She’s had a great year leading the organization through some major issues like the creation of a 5-year Strategic Plan. Here’s Pam at the annual member’s meeting.
It’s certainly no surprise that crops are cultivated in Germany, but some of the country’s farms, equipment and practices held a few surprises. Both the German Agricultural Society and John Deere hosted a visit to the BASF Gutsbetrieb Rehhütte, or the BASF Deer’s Den Farm, in Limburgerhof, Germany left a couple reporters from our group incredulous at how clean a farm could be. Stone tiles paved a courtyard of sorts between equipment garages, sheds and farms silos. Some not-so-familiar looking equipment also prompted some curiously raised eyebrows. Though, I must admit, we all recognized the three John Deere tractors in Albert’s shed and he was very excited to show them off. The history of the farm was also an attribute that’s rather atypical for an American farm. The Limfburg Estate was first documented in 1035. BASF took over the land and began farming it in 1899.
I waited until NAFB to get a one-on-one interview with the world soybean yield record-breaker Kip Cullers of Missouri. He is a great spokesperson for the ag industry as a whole, not to mention the products that helped him achieve the world record yield of 154.7 bushels per acre in his contest plot. 
Kip noted that he gets lots of advice and consultation with BASF and Pioneer experts, as well as state extension and university specialists – and he recommends that all growers take advantage of those resources to improve their profitability.
At the NAFB Annual Member meeting which is taking place right now, Randy Koenen got placed in a Pam Sandwich. 
To find out why companies and organizations participate in the NAFB Trade Talk I asked a few of them as things were winding down. Included are comments from Monsanto, EPIC, New Holland, FMC and Dairy Farmers of America.
The Trade Talk Lunch was very good today as usual. It’s a nice working lunch buffet with no program/speakers because many of us use the opportunity for a quick bite and then back to the interviews.
One of the things I liked this year was the fact that we could grab a quick fresh-carved roast beef sandwich in the Trade Talk ballroom even before heading down the escalator to lunch.