Iowan loses election for American Farm Bureau Federation president

Rudd farmer Dean Kleckner today lost his bid for an eighth term as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, one of the country’s most influential farm groups. Kleckner lost to Texas farmer Bob Stallman. The Bureau doesn’t release the vote counts, but he says people have told him it was very close. Kleckner says it’s tough to lose, but he isn’t upset about it.Kleckner says Stallman will continue to face the problem of low commodity prices.Kleckner says his work in international trade is one of his greatest achievements in 14 years in office.Kleckner describes himself as a high-energy person who doesn’t need a lot of sleep. After years of traveling all over the country, Kleckner says his family is concerned how he will react now with more time on his hands. But Kleckner says he’s been preparing for this time, as he says he would have retired after serving one more term anyway.Kleckner was the head of the Iowa Farm Bureau for ten years before being elected to the top job in the American Farm Bureau Federation.