Orion Samuelson once again presided over the NAFB Foundation Auction. He was assisted by auctioneer, Farmer Dave Schumacher.
They did a great job and to help you get a feel for the fun you can watch them auction off one of the items in this video clip:
The annual NAFB Foundation Auction was a great success and Leah Guffey, WFMB worked very hard to help make it so. In fact, she even rode the pink tractor around the whole room to entice bids for this item.
I don’t know what the record amount raised in an auction is but I know that Cyndi Young who organized this year’s auction was all smiles. Feel free to post the results in comments if you know them.
The new chairperson of the NAFB Allied Industry Council is Cindy Cunningham, National Pork Board. Cindy served on the committee that created the new NAFB strategic plan and is looking forward to leading the Council in helping implement it.
If you’re not familiar with the Allied Industry Council Cindy provides an overview in my interview with her. She’s pictured in the center along with her other Pork Peeps who are attending with her.
Listen to my interview with Cindy here: nafb-07-cunningham.mp3
You can also download the interview here: 
Cindy Cunningham Interview (3 min MP3)
The new Vice President of NAFB is Greg Akagi, Kansas Agriculture Network. That means he’ll automatically ascend to President in 2 years. Here’s Greg in action at Trade Talk.
I spoke with Greg after the election and he’s really moved by the confidence the membership has in him and grateful for their vote. One of the things he’s looking forward to accomplishing is the implementation of the new strategic plan. When I asked him what he thinks of the future of farm broadcasting he says it’s going to be tough but having an organization to help means that members can work together to continue the success that farm radio has had for so long.
Listen to my interview with Greg here: nafb-07-akagi.mp3
You can also download the interview here: Greg Akagi Interview (3 min MP3)
Our NAFB President until tonight is Pam Fretwell, WTAD. She’s had a great year leading the organization through some major issues like the creation of a 5-year Strategic Plan. Here’s Pam at the annual member’s meeting.
Afterward I spoke with her to get her feelings as she’s about to become past-president and I’m sure she’s looking forward to some time off from NAFB. Pam also sees a bright future for farm broadcasting.
Listen to my interview with Pam here: nafb-07-fretwell.mp3
You can also download the interview here: Pam Fretwell Interview (3 min MP3)
I think the agriblogging folks at Paulsen AgriBranding and AgWired make a good team. What do you think? I couldn’t be at the NAMA Agribusiness Forum earlier this week but they were. I know they and we would love to have your feedback so please let us know what you think of all the video clips we’ve posted this week. This final one is :
Passing the Gavel
2007 NAMA President Stephanie Gable passes the leadership gavel to incoming president Patty Travis. The new president shared her thoughts about the challenges that lie ahead for NAMA and its membership.
It’s certainly no surprise that crops are cultivated in Germany, but some of the country’s farms, equipment and practices held a few surprises. Both the German Agricultural Society and John Deere hosted a visit to the BASF Gutsbetrieb Rehhütte, or the BASF Deer’s Den Farm, in Limburgerhof, Germany left a couple reporters from our group incredulous at how clean a farm could be. Stone tiles paved a courtyard of sorts between equipment garages, sheds and farms silos. Some not-so-familiar looking equipment also prompted some curiously raised eyebrows. Though, I must admit, we all recognized the three John Deere tractors in Albert’s shed and he was very excited to show them off. The history of the farm was also an attribute that’s rather atypical for an American farm. The Limfburg Estate was first documented in 1035. BASF took over the land and began farming it in 1899.
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I waited until NAFB to get a one-on-one interview with the world soybean yield record-breaker Kip Cullers of Missouri. He is a great spokesperson for the ag industry as a whole, not to mention the products that helped him achieve the world record yield of 154.7 bushels per acre in his contest plot.
“I’m a lot more proud of our overall yield on our double crop soybeans,” Kip said. “We just took what we learned in our contest field and applied it to our normal acres. All we did was plant (Pioneer) 94M80s and we used six ounces of Headline and three ounces of Respect and we averaged 74 bushels across the board.”
Kip noted that he gets lots of advice and consultation with BASF and Pioneer experts, as well as state extension and university specialists – and he recommends that all growers take advantage of those resources to improve their profitability.
Kip left the family back at home when he headed to Kansas City after the official press conference announcing his record yield in Jefferson City on Tuesday. But, his adorable sons Noah and Naaman were on hand to charm the media at the press event, proudly sporting BASF Headline fungicide shirts!
Listen to my interview with Kip here:
nafb-kip-basf.mp3
At the NAFB Annual Member meeting which is taking place right now, Randy Koenen got placed in a Pam Sandwich.
That would be between Pam Jahnke, WTDY, NAFB vice president and Pam Fretwell, WTAD, current NAFB President. Randy, Red River Farm Network, is incoming NAFB President.
At the meeting they’re getting a presentation on the new NAFB 5 Year Strategic Plan and will vote for a new Vice President before breaking up into regional and council meetings. Then it’s reception and banquet time.
