This is Chip Foose on a John Deere 4020 that he’s getting ready to customize. The tractor is the focal point of a new giveaway and purchase incentive program the company is offering in 2010. They’re calling it the Big Buck Sales Event. I got a preview of what it’s all about at the recent NAFB Convention from Barry Nelson, …
Farm Bureau Pleased at Delay of Climate Bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased with a decision by Senate leadership last week to delay consideration of climate change legislation until the spring of 2010. I talked with AFBF president Bob Stallman about that legislation and a number of other issues affecting agriculture during the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting. Stallman says they opposed the …
Farm Foundation Focuses on Future
Farm Foundation is a 76 year old organization for agriculture that never stops looking ahead. Last month’s Farm Foundation “30-Year Policy Conference” drew agribusiness leaders, government officials, and other interested parties. “Because 30 years from now, we’re going to be looking at over 9 billion people on the planet and with rising incomes, people begin to eat more meat and …
You’ve Got To Love Farmers
Annalisa Clarke manages I Love Farmers, They Feed My Soul. In the AEM AGCONNECT Expo booth at the NAFB Trade Talk I spoke with her about the campaign. She says they’ve started a new media campaign they’ve started to promote agriculture. It’s targeted to individuals 14-24 years old who she calls “digital natives.” She says they’re allowing them to communicate …
Soybean Growers Can Ask Questions of USB Experts
This is the next installment in our series about Expert Advice from the United Soybean Board. While attending the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention I spoke with USB Treasurer Marc Curtis who farms in Mississippi. Marc serves on the USB Production Committee so he’s especially happy that the organization can offer Expert Advice to soybean growers via a regular …
Ag Secretary at NAFB
Somehow I neglected to do a post on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack being at NAFB last week. He did a press conference and attended the NAFB Foundation luncheon where he spoke and helped to honor this year’s scholarship winners. Not a whole lot of newsy information out of the Secretary’s visit, but it was nice to have him there. He …
Record Breaking NAFB Foundation Auction
The traditional Thursday night auction to benefit the NAFB Foundation was a record breaker at the convention last week at $15,100. Orion Samuelson once again served as Master of Ceremonies while the legendary Cliff Mitchell did a cameo guest appearance as auctioneer. The almost-legendary Dave Schumacher of KTRS Radio was the main auctioneer for the event. Among the 56 treasures …
BASF Amps Up Headline
During NAFB Trade Talk last week, BASF announced that Headline AMP™ fungicide has received full registration from the Environmental Protection Agency. I talked with Reed Barrett and Nick Fassler about Headline AMP and Headline Advantage. Nick says Headline AMP is the first combination fungicide specifically developed for corn growers. “There’s a segment of corn growers that desire a combination fungicide …
A Year of Growth Energy
It was a year ago this month that ethanol advocacy group Growth Energy was formed, absorbing the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and more recently merging with the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC). Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis has been with the organization since March, after leaving the National Farmers Union and he was on hand at the National …
Food Fight Underway
A FOOD FIGHT got underway today with dairy farmers and beef producers joining forces to fling facts in the face of food foes. The main message is to Give Thanks for food and farmers as we prepare for the holiday season. Giving thanks can even get you a steak – actually, an Omaha Steaks Ideal Gift Collection of steaks and …