Brownfield

Things I've noticed at Commodity Classic

Two things about Commodity Classic in Grapevine, Texas that I will remember:  the carpeting in the convention center is just about as "Texan" as you can get. . .

And some people, like Ron Kindred, our friend from Atlanta, Illinois, have a lot of ribbons attached to their name tags. . .

-Cyndi

Marathon interviews, editing, posting, meetings, etc.

 Whew.  There are THREE Brownfield Ag News team members here in Grapevine, Texas covering Commodity Classic 2009 and there is still no way we can cover EVERY story that is coming out of this event.  We're hustling and running and listening and asking questions and editing and filing stories for the radio network and posting stories to the website.   It is a good thing we have a bunch of other Brownfield team members taking care of covering all of the other ag news, markets, weather and such happening in the world because we're BUSY here in Texas.  I hope you get something out of our coverage.  There's a lot going on here. . .

-Cyndi

New Holland sponsors media room. Again.

Gene Hemphill with New Holland is the face of New Holland for many in the ag media business.  New Holland sponsors news rooms at many events throughout the year.  New Holland sponsored the media room at Commodity Classic where Dave Russell, Ken Anderson and I (Cyndi Young) are reporting this week.  New Holland also sponsored the media reception. 

Thanks Gene.

Dave Russell is on the job!

Commodity Classic is in full swing this morning.  I caught Dave Russell in the hallway at the Convention Center deep in an interview with Megan Kuhn from Indiana Soybean.  WIth four commodity groups:  corn, soybean, wheat, and grain sorghum represented, there are a lot of people with stories to tell at this event!

Wild West Watering Hole

Syngenta sponsored a Wild West Watering Hole pre-opening reception tonight at the Gaylord Texan Hotel where there were card tables for Texas Hold 'Em and cowboy gunslingers.  I thought they needed a cowGIRL gunslinger, so they invited me to join their gang.

-Cyndi

 

NAFBers at Bayer CropScience 2009 Ag Issues Forum

Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting invited to the Bayer CropScience 2009 Ag Issues Forum gathered together for a photo.  There are also a number of our print publication ag journalist friends here participating in this awesome event.
 

It's not all work. . .

Hats off to the folks at Bayer CropScience, AdFarm and Rhea and Kaiser for putting together a very informational pre-Classic program.  The Bayer CropScience 2009 Issues Forum underway here in Grapevine has featured some great speakers.  I've posted a couple of the presentations to the Commodity Classic page on the Brownfield website. 

There are about 50 media people from across the United States participating in this forum.  In addition to lining up some excellent speakers, our hosts lined up some excellent entertainment for last evening's program.  The piano-playing, song-writing singer Phil Vassar gave a private concert to our little group last night here on the Gaylord Texan grounds.  This farm broadcaster is a big fan of country music and was front row center for the event. 

-Cyndi Young

Hello Texas

I arrived in Grapevine, Texas and the Gaylord Texan Hotel yesterday afternoon for the 2009 Commodity Classic and events leading up to it.  For those headed this way, you'll certainly enjoy the great weather here!

This morning, the 2009 Bayer CropScience Issues Forum kicked off with an excellent presentation by Dr. David Kohl, Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech.  Wow.  What a thought-provoking and insightful presentation!  And Dr. Kohl was followed up by one of my other favorites, Murray Wise with Westchester Group.

 Please visit our special Commodity Classic page on the Brownfield Ag News website to follow our coverage of this major event for corn, soybean, wheat and grain sorghum producers. 

The majority of the attendees of this big event will arrive tomorrow.  The hotel parking lot, as viewed from my hotel room window, was relatively empty this morning when I headed over the convention center for the forum.  I expect it will be much more full by this time Wednesday morning.

Western Farm Show visit

I experienced my first Western Farm Show Saturday at the American Royal complex in Kansas City.  This is one big farm show.  It is a little strange to see farm equipment where, during the American Royal Livestock Show, there is a show ring and to see rows of exhibits where the cattle are stalled during the October event!

Is it a do-again?  You bet.  I'm going back next year!

Going to great heights

Our affiliate in Atlanta, Il, Lincoln Country WLCN, pitched in over the recent holidays to help out their local food pantry. GM Jim Ash, dressed as Santa, perched himself on the roof of the local IGA for a day and a half to encourage listeners to pitch in with food donations. Read more about it in the Lincoln Courier.

-Mike Cady