- The National Pork Board has given its approval to a $51 million budget and operating plan for 2008 that addresses five critical issues facing the U.S. pork industry. The board approved the 2008 budget and plan at its meeting in Des Moines Nov. 13-14. The budget now goes to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for final approval. The five critical issues are: The competitive advantage for U.S. pork; the safeguard and expansion of international markets; domestic pork expenditures; the trust and image of the U.S. pork industry; the development of human capital.
- DuPont and Evogene Ltd. announced a research collaboration to improve drought stress tolerance primarily in corn and soybeans. Under the agreement, DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has exclusive rights to several genes discovered by Evogene for improving these traits. The candidate genes were discovered by Evogene’s most advanced in-silico gene discovery technology called the “ATHLETE.” Pioneer will evaluate the licensed genes in its elite corn and soybean germplasm to measure the benefit in its commercial products.
- Spectrum is offering NEW plastic horseshoes at no additional cost until the end of the year. Spectrum Technologies, Inc. manufactures and supplies affordable field measurement technologies that help growers make better decisions on crop inputs. To receive a free catalog complete with hundreds of climate, soil, and plant health monitoring devices, call (800) 248-8873 or visit the Web site.
Final Farewell to Mr. Potato Head at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
The famed mascot of the U.S. Potato Board will make one last appearance at the 2007 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The board says it plans to retire the balloon after this year’s parade. So, you might want to make a special effort to catch the annual parade and get a final glimpse at the cheerfully oversized, classic ag icon.
The U.S. Potato Board doesn’t want consumers to leave potatoes out of their Thanksgiving feasts. One of this year’s balloon handlers and an eager spokesman for potatoes, Amy Morrison, says Americans consume more than 300 million pounds of potatoes each Thanksgiving. She adds that one potato contains more vitamin C and more potassium than a banana. The potato is packed with nutrients, but it’s not packed with calories. One potato contains about 100 calories.
Get Real With Christmas Tree Videos
The National Christmas Tree Association has launched a new contest for the 2007 holiday season inviting YouTube users to “Get Real This Christmas.”
I’m really glad they made a YouTube video to explain the contest!
To participate in the contest, YouTube users can create a unique video (three minutes or less) showing or explaining why a Real Tree is the best choice this holiday season. All videos must be posted to the NCTA YouTube group page, www.youtube.com/group/getreal, by Dec. 15, 2007. Videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges and the top three will be selected on the basis of creativity, accuracy, persuasiveness and popularity.
The grand prize winner will be awarded $500; the second-place winner will receive $250; and the third-place entry will receive $100.
NCTA sponsors the contest as part of a broader campaign to make sure that Christmas traditions and values remain strong. The multi-year campaign’s goal is to reach Americans with the underlying message, “Nothing Says Christmas More Than a Real Tree.”
Thanksgiving Meal Costs Higher
This came out last week during the NAFB convention but I just couldn’t get to it until now. It has taken a day or two to get unpacked from a couple weeks on the road. I’ve already got part of our Turkey Day meal purchased but I’m not finished yet. This chart is from the release sent out by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Menu items for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings will cost more this year, but remain affordable, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
According to AFBF’s 22nd annual informal survey of the prices of basic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s dinner for 10 is $42.26, a $4.16 price increase from last year’s average of $38.10.
“Americans are blessed to have an abundant variety of home-grown food that is produced with pride by our hardworking farmers and ranchers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “During the holiday season, especially as we celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, it’s appropriate to reflect on and give thanks for this bounty.”
The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10.
Honoring Pam Fretwell
Pam Fretwell is now the past President of the NAFB. We just completed an emotional banquet to honor Pam’s year and do a little roasting too. Ask her about her parent’s garage that had a little problem with fire when she was very young for example.
Attending the banquet were members of Pam’s family including her parents and friends and colleagues from work. As you’ve heard in my interview with Pam earlier this week, she’s very dedicated to her family and is looking to spending more time with them now.
Well, the gavel has been turned over to new NAFB President Randy Koenen. You can pronounce that however you want by the way. He doesn’t seem to mind. I think the proper way is “Conan” as in barbarian.
I want to thank NAFB for bringing me in to cover their convention on AgWired and have to say that I’ve really enjoyed doing so with so many of my long time friends. Today’s session on new media was fun for me and I hope that it was helpful to those who attended.
Please feel free to visit the photo album. I’m adding more tonight and will get Cindy’s when I get home and upload them later this weekend.
NAFB Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year Awards
At today’s NAFB luncheon tenure awards were presented and two very prized awards were given.
Receiving the NAFB Horizon Award is Janelle Brose, Michigan Farm Radio Network (left).
The recipient of the NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year award was presented to Mike Hergert, Red River Farm Network (center).
They’re pictured with NAFB President Pam Fretwell.
The Paul McKellips Story
At our NAFB lunch today we heard the Paul McKellips story.
Paul you may remember was sending back the good news from Iraq. His story is fascinating and I thought I’d share it with you.
You can listen to Paul here: nafb-07-mckellips.mp3
You can also download the mp3 file here: 
Paul McKellips Stories (15 Min MP3)
This post is a demonstration of blogging during my professional improvement session on the final day of the convention.
Collin Peterson Press Conference
This is not Congressman Collin Peterson. It’s Mike Hergert, Red River Farm Network.
Mike moderated a call-in press conference with the Chairman of the House Ag Committee.
I’m not going to summarize his comments and answers to questions posed from here at the NAFB convention but let’s just say that you can hear a lot about the farm bill (which we don’t have yet).
If you’re a farm broadcaster out there that’s not attending please feel free to download the audio here and use it.
As you can see here there were a lot of farm broadcasters and podcasters plugged in to the press conference.
This picture makes me think of a discussion I just had earlier in the news room. Why don’t we have some equipment manufacturers make an appearance here at an NAFB convention? There may not be a lot of members but we do buy some gadgets.
Listen to the Collin Peterson press conference here: nafb-07-peterson.mp3
You can also download the interview here: Collin Peterson Press Conference (3 min MP3)
Susan Risinger Receives Oscar in Agriculture
New Holland once again sponsored the Oscar in Agriculture Award. This year’s winner for excellence in farm broadcast reporting is Susan Risinger, WJAG, pictured here with New Holland’s Gene Hemphill.
Susan did a series of stories on hydroponic tomato growing in Nebraska which we heard a cut from.
Susan’s award concluded the Night of Honors banquet.
Vic McGill Receives Meritorious Service Award
The Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award was presented to Vic McGill, CC/KATZ Advantage at last night’s NAFB Awards dinner.
I think it was the famous Vic McGill laugh that did it and we heard it last night. Vic was truly moved by the award and looks forward to continuing his service to the farm broadcasting industry.
Vic is pictured with NAFB President Pam Fretwell.