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Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Independent Aggies and ACT tour Western Farm Show
By Katie Allen, Corner Post staff

Members of the Independent Aggies and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow attended the Western Farm Show February 26, in Kansas City, Mo. where they learned about the latest farm and livestock equipment in the agriculture industry.

The 44th Annual Western Farm Show housed 525 exhibiting companies, including major tractor, farm equipment, automotive, seed, tool and feed manufacturers. The show, held at the American Royal Complex, took place February 26-28. The SouthWestern Association, a retail trade association composed of farm, industrial and outdoor power equipment retailers, sponsors the show each year.

New technological advancements in farm machinery are displayed at the show each year. According to Jeff Flora, CEO of SouthWestern Association, the large equipment exhibits from John Deere, Caterpillar and Case IH tend to be some of the most popular exhibits for farm show visitors.

Chris Beach, junior agricultural systems management major at MU and Independent Aggies president, said that the John Deere exhibit was the most interesting to him during his visit at the farm show this year.

“I always like John Deere’s exhibit because they have the most pieces of equipment to see,” Beach said. “You can actually get on the machines and really look them over.”

Beach, who has attended the farm show four years, said that he feels the farm show is an important annual event, because it gives equipment manufacturers a good opportunity to display their products and get their name out to the public.
Bruce Bishop, freshman agricultural systems management major at MU and Independent Aggies member, agreed that the Farm Show is very important for the agricultural community.

“ I know for me, there are a lot of new products and even existing ones that I would have never seen or known about had it not been for farm shows,” Bishop said.
Lori Guthals, freshman agricultural journalism major at MU and member of ACT, cannot even fathom the idea of no having farm shows.

“Without the annual farm show, farmers may not be educated on the new technologies allowed for them,” Guthals said.

Flora said that part of what makes the farm show successful is a strong agricultural economy.

“ 2004 was a good year for equipment purchases, and 2005 looks to be promising,” Flora said. “Attendee and exhibitor attitudes seemed to be very positive, which always equates to a good show.”

Flora said that attendance at the Western Farm Show was very strong this year, exceeding last year’s totals. This year, more than 30,000 people attended the three-day show. He said that 75 percent of farm show attendees live within a 250 mile radius of Kansas City. Visitors from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma make up a vast majority of the farm show attendance, and most of these visitors are involved in farming or agribusiness full-time.

With these strong attendance numbers, Flora said that it is critical to expose young people to a production agriculture trade show.

“ The future of agriculture is tied to our young people and their interest in being involved in agriculture and living in rural America,” Flora said.

He believes a trade show like the Western Farm Show is an “excellent opportunity for interested young people (in agriculture) and companies interested in attracting young people to their businesses to connect.”

Beach realizes the vitality of youth attendance at farm shows as well.
“ I feel that it is very important to have younger people there (at the farm show), because they are the future of agriculture,” Beach said. “What better way to have them (youth) be able to develop their own ideas than to look at someone else’s design and build from it?”

“I think the farm show is very beneficial to young people, because we are the up-and-coming future of agriculture,” Bishop said.

Bishop also believes the farm show serves as a great place to find job opportunities and said it really opened his eyes to the many careers available in agriculture.

Bishop also thinks that it is important for people who aren’t involved in agriculture to go to farm shows like the Western Farm Show, as these people can see what really goes on in the agricultural world.

Guthals agrees that the farm show has something for everyone.

“ Those who think they are the least likely to enjoy it (farm show), end up having the most fun and get the most out of it,” Guthals said.

For more information on the 2005 Western Farm Show, including a list of exhibitors, visit http://www.westernfarmshow.com/.

Other links:
John Deere
Case IH
Mo Agricultural Statistics Services
National Agricultural Statistics Services
Hilsboro Industries, Inc.
Valley Vet Supply
GSI Grain Systems
Ford Motor Company
Chevrolet

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