This morning Pioneer Hi-Bred announced a new generation of corn hybrids under the AQUAmax name that will work well in dry environments. I joined the press conference during opening remarks. You can listen in and download below. DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred launched a new generation of corn hybrids developed and tested to help deliver a yield advantage in water-limited environments, …
Ayrmesh Now Powering ZimmComm Internet
I have a working Ayrmesh hub now working at ZimmComm World Headquarters. As I posted recently this is a product that creates what is affectionately called “free range internet.” Made by Ayrstone Productivity, the Ayrmesh creates a strong, stable internet wifi cloud, which if placed properly can go a long distance. By adding additional hubs that range can be extended …
Classic Comments From ASA VP
Smooth Sailing at Commodity Classic in Tampa, FL sounds really good right now. I spoke with American Soybean Association VP, Bob Worth, about the upcoming annual event. He farms in Minnesota and was in between a rain storm and a blizzard so I know he’s looking forward to heading south at the beginning of March. Bob says we’re going to …
Drake & Company Making Dreams Fly
Let’s meet a different kind of agency, an association and cause management company. Let’s meet Drake & Company and who better to talk about it than the man himself, Steve Drake. This is the continuation of my series of podcast conversations with the leadership of various types of agricultural communication agencies. I remember when Steve got his company started about …
Illinois Aerial Applicator Had Good Season
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 …
Working The Booth At NAAA
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 …
Change is Necessary to Fight PRRS
Since Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) has been a problem in the U.S. hog industry for more than 20 years and is costing producers nearly $600 million per year, Boehringer Ingelheim (BIVI) is working with the industry to find and implement changes that will help control and even eliminate it. Dr. Dale Polson, a member of the BIVI Area …
NAAA Convention Wrapup
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 …
NAAA Treasurer Optimistic For Future
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 …
Ready To Become An Aerial Applicator
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 …