During the National Agricultural Aviation Association NAAA convention this week, Dr. Gary Fellows had the opportunity to educate aerial applicators on what’s new from BASF. Gary participated in a session with a few other crop protection product companies to provide an update on BASF herbicides and fungicides. First of all, Gary talked about the anticipated registration next year of Priaxor …
Ag Aviators Facing Unnecessary Regulations
Like all of agriculture, aerial applicators are facing potentially onerous regulations that could ground them if they are allowed to continue. The biggest issue they are dealing with right now is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which National Agricultural Aviation Association executive director Andrew Moore told me just went into effect on Halloween. “It’s kind of …
Ag Aviators All in the Family
At this year’s National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) convention, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful family that is dedicated to the business of aerial crop protection in North Dakota. Left to right, they are Jayse Wharam, his mother and father Vernie and Glen, and brother Chris. Glen is the owner of Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND and …
Ag Aviators are Unsung Farming Heroes
Aerial applicators really don’t get the credit they deserve when it comes to helping to feed a growing population. “I do think we’re the unsung heroes,” said National Agricultural Aviation Association president Rick Richter of Richter Aviation in Maxwell, CA. “We don’t get the credit but we don’t ask for it. We just want people to let us do our …
BASF Supporting Young Ag Aviators
The kick-off breakfast for the National Agricultural Aviation Association convention for the last several years has included the awarding of two scholarships, sponsored by BASF Ag Products, for young ag aviators. This year’s winners were Jordan Loewen of Valley Sprayers in Park River, ND and Brad Taylor of Corinth, MS. They are pictured here in the center, Brad on the …
BASF Continues Support of Operation S.A.F.E.
BASF will continue support of Operation S.A.F.E. (Self-Regulating Application and Flight Efficiency) fly-ins in 2011 through its collaboration with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA). Through the partnership, BASF provides financial support for participating aerial applicators, which can be used towards membership in NAAA or for new spray equipment. “More than 800 aerial applicators participated in 99 Operation S.A.F.E. fly-ins …
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 …
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 …