USDA reports that farmers took advantage of a dry week to get 17 percent of the corn out and 14 percent more soybeans harvested last week. The new crop progress report has the soybean harvest nearing average for this time of year at 89 percent, while corn remains about 35 percent behind normal at just 54 percent complete. North Dakota has yet to get out of the single digits in corn harvesting, but they do have 80 percent of the soybeans complete.
The late harvest was one of the major topics of discussion for National Corn Growers Association first vice president Bart Schott of North Dakota at the NAFB Trade Talk last week. Bart is still optimistic because the corn remains in good to excellent condition. “If we get a few more weeks of really nice weather, we’ll get this corn crop off in good shape,” he said. Despite the problems this year, he says the crop continues to look good and is still expected to be the second largest on record, “If there’s ever been a debate about whether we can produce enough corn feed our exports, livestock industry and ethanol industry, this will be the second year in a row that we’ve proved them wrong.”
Listen to my interview with Bart here.
This week’s ZimmCast features two interviews done at the 
We have been attending the NAFB convention since 1985 and some things never change – like Ted Haller, for example. But, other things – like Ted’s hair – do change, and in recent years that has been the emphasis on usage of the Internet and social media. Teddy presented us with findings from Internet Ag Information Usage Study that surveyed farmers and ranchers about their Internet access practices and preferences for agribusiness information, including use of the mobile Web. That study will be available on the NAFB website for members to access.
Meanwhile, Dr. Emily Rhodes of THE Ohio State University (who is also a Gator), did a study of farm broadcasters and journalists about their usage of the internet and social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. She had some interesting findings and her main message to the media was that utilizing these tools helps us reach new audiences to get the positive message about agriculture to the general public.
Outgoing National Association of Farm Broadcasting president Pam Jahnke – the one and only “Fabulous Farm Babe” – was honored and roasted by fellow members at the annual president’s banquet Friday night.
Pam was joined by her saintly husband Buck and the rest of her family, including nephew Jayden – who seemed to find the Auntie Pam bobbleheads kind of scary! 
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Ken Root of WHO as the 2009 Farm Broadcaster of the Year and Meghan Grebner of WMBD in Peoria is the Horizon Award winner this year.
The man who took away the blue sheets with overlapping circles and put ag media research at your fingertips was honored by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting for Meritorious Service last night.
Two great farm broadcasters and people we are proud to call close friends were inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame Thursday night in Kansas City. 
Our buddy Evan Slack was also inducted, joining many fellow long-time NAFBers and former presidents who are still active after more than five decades in the business. Evan made a point to tell everyone how important his iPhone is in continuing to do his job as a busy farm broadcaster! 
My first stop at the NAFB Trade Talk was the