Welcome to #NAFB15

Cindy Zimmerman

The 72nd National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention is officially underway, back in Kansas City as usual. The man in charge of the convention is Brian Winnekins of WRDN Radio in Wisconsin, the president-elect of NAFB, who is especially excited about welcoming FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai on Friday. “Commissioner Pai has been a big proponent of the AM …

Audio, NAFB

Beck’s Teaches Students to Honor American Farmers

Kelly Marshall

At the recent National FFA Convention Jamie Johansen caught up with Toby Ripberger of Beck’s Hybrids to talk about the message they are sharing with the students who come through their booth.  Ripberger, the Event Logistics Lead for the company, says students come in with lots of interest in careers and the future of agribusiness, but the most important information …

Agribusiness, Audio, Farming, FFA

Merck’s Commitment to Future of Ag

Jamie Johansen

For Merck Animal Health, the 88th National FFA Convention wasn’t about teaching students about their products, they focused on where students get their information about science, food and agriculture. I spoke with Merck’s Jim Miles, marketing manager for the fed cattle business, in their booth to learn more about their commitment to the future of agriculture. “It’s making them realize …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, FFA

Famous Voices on Bayer LibertyLink Real Yield Radio

Chuck Zimmerman

Do you recognize the famous radio voices of the Bayer CropScience Real Yield Game Contest? You should. These are some award winners! C’mon. Guess. Listen to one of the commercials that is running on radio stations right now. When it comes to the game here’s how you play: Visit www.realyieldgame.com and click on the promotion link. 1. Complete all fields …

Agribusiness, Audio, Bayer

Missouri Ag Director Addresses Deere Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Missouri’s Director of Agriculture, Richard Fordyce, spoke to this week’s Develop with Deere conference during lunch. After talking about all the blue color on the street due to the Kansas City Royals parade he talked about the challenges facing farming in Missouri. A key issue he says is what consumers think about what farmers are doing. He says this filters …

Audio, John Deere, Precision Agriculture

That Blue Corduroy Jacket

Kelly Marshall

Luke Kerstetter, Pennsylvania State Sentinel, sat down with Jamie Johansen at the National FFA Convention to talk about what he is passionate about in agriculture. “I’m passionate about agriculture education, because as the growing population [of the world will reach] 9 billion, we need to figure out ways to implement better technology into farming as well as agriculture science and biotechnology. …

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA

Senate to Vote on Second WOTUS Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

After failing to invoke cloture on a bill that would require EPA to re-work the Clean Water rule known as WOTUS, the Senate did vote to allow debate on a resolution of disapproval, sponsored by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, that would scrap the WOTUS rule entirely. “My legislation is the necessary next step in pushing back against this blatant power …

Audio, EPA, Water

Senate Fails to Take WOTUS Rework to Vote

Cindy Zimmerman

Forty-one senators voted against moving forward with debate on a bill that would require EPA to rework the controversial Clean Water rule known as Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), which was enough to keep the bill from a vote on the floor. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Barrasso (R-WY), would instruct EPA to craft a WOTUS rule that “takes into …

Audio, EPA, Water

Deere to Acquire Precision Planting & Monosem

Chuck Zimmerman

This morning John Deere announced that the company has acquired Precision Planting from the Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto. Also included in the announcement is an exclusive agreement with Climate Corporation for near real-time data connectivity between certain John Deere equipment and Climate Corporation’s FieldView Platform. Making the announcement at the Develop with Deere conference was Pat Pinkston. You …

Agribusiness, Audio, John Deere

There is a Future for Agriculture

Kelly Marshall

Rachel Greig has been part of the FFA program for 7 years and intends to make it part of her life for many years to come.  She attended the 2015 National FFA Convention this year as Pennsylvania’s State FFA Secretary and you can hear her passion for the future of agriculture in her interview with Jamie Johansen.   “My passion …

Ag Groups, Audio, FFA