A new transmitter was installed over the weekend at the KFLP-AM tower site (Photo FCR)
FLOYDADA, TX – After 23 years, one of the nation’s only ALL-FARM radio stations is getting an upgrade.
On November 5, 2001, All Ag, All Day officially launched on 900AM KFLP, with little fanfare and only a couple of mentions in agricultural-related newsletters.
Today, the station can be heard both on 900AM, on 1440AM (KPUR) in Amarillo, and live online (www.AllAgNews.com). In addition, portions of the daily programming are syndicated to other radio stations from Fresno, California to Rome-Utica, New York through the All Ag Network – which continues to call Floyd County home.
Over the weekend, the flagship station here installed a new broadcast transmitter – the first in 20 years – as part of an effort to strengthen its role in farm broadcasting for the next few decades.
“We’ve limped along over the past six weeks with a transmitter we could no longer find parts or service for. The designer and engineer of the Energy-Onix box passed away a few years ago and with him, all the knowledge of how it worked” explains Tony St. James, host of All Ag, All Day.
Though there was no party for the transition on Saturday, there was a celebration in their downtown office and studios.
“I’m not sure that many residents around here realize what we do” he added. “Our syndicated programming is delivered to more than 30 radio stations who put our ag shows on the air and instead of paying us for the content, allow us to sell advertising that airs on their station for compensation; in reality, it’s just called barter.”
Since they were already producing all this content dealing with agribusiness news, markets, weather, and interviews, the company (Paramount Broadcasting Corp.) decided to become what was, at that time, the second ALL FARM station in the nation (along with KFRM in Clay Center, KS).
St. James admits that regular listeners to the radio station may not notice a major difference this week other than a cleaner sound, but more changes are coming to the programming over the next year.
“With car companies looking to abandon AM radio in the dashboards, and Congress preparing to weigh in on the importance of the service remaining, it’s a gentle reminder that at the end of the day, broadcasters need to be filling a niche and providing a unique service to listeners for value” the radio veteran remarks.
“For those of us who still broadcast on the AM dial, in our communities of license, and more importantly in small rural areas, should lead the way. When we launched All Ag, All Day on November 5, 2001, there were hour-long farm shows available on no less than other six radio stations. Today, not a single station offers a dedicated hour to farmers and ranchers. I’d say our role in the industry is more important now than ever before”.
You can hear All Ag, All Day on the radio at 900AM from Amarillo to Midland, and Clovis to Vernon (though barely at night due to FCC regulations that force them to 7 watts when the sun goes down).
Steven Orr is the Sales Manager and Director of Affiliate Relations and is credited with the idea of an ALL-FARM station. He can be reached most days at Paramount’s Corporate headquarters (201 West California St.), via telephone (806-983-5704), or through email (Steven@ParamountBroadcasting.com).
