Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

2004 Show-Me Ag Classic Gathers Crowd
Megan Cooper, Corner Post Staff

February 9, 2004 - The 4th annual Show-Me Ag Classic Convention and Trade Show was held on February 4th and 5th at the Hearnes Center Field House. There were 73 booths set up ranging from chemical and seed dealers to insurance salesmen. One thing is for sure, though, there was something there for everyone.

The three sponsors for the event were MO-AG, Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Soybean Association.

"It's a great partnership. The combined program is designed to increase synergy and it does just that," Fred Stemme, Communications and Marketing Director for the Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA), said.

Stemme sees the event as an excellent opportunity to do three things. First, he sees it as a key opportunity for members to see the latest technology and equipment all under one roof. The second is the educational seminars offered. These seminars are bottom line implementable and take real, practical ideas and show producers how to make these ideas more profitable. Third, Stemme sees it as an excellent opportunity for networking and fellowship.

Some of the key issues MCGA were answering questions about were the future of ethanol and the energy bill.

"Ethanol is one of the few opportunities where we can double the demand for corn over the next 10 years and that is pretty significant," Stemme said.

He said it was a dynamic growth area that has doubled over the last 5 years and could double again in the next 5-8 years. MCGA continues to look for other value added opportunities for producers.

Greg Gentry, Sales Representative for Syngenta Crop Protection, sees the event as a good management of his time.

"It's an opportunity for me to see and talk with farmers and dealers all in one place where normally it would have taken me 1-2 weeks to complete," Gentry said.

Asian Rust and Chinese Aphids were the two key topics on his plate for the day.

There was a tremendous crowd gathered for the Ag Day Barbeque held on February 4th. The barbeque was catered by Bandana's and an estimated eleven hundred people were there.

During lunch there was the Block and Bridle ham sale and several other speakers including: Jared Verdught, CAFNR Student Council President, UM President Elson Floyd, Chancellor Wallace, Provost Brady Dieten and Curator Linda Vandewert.

The event continues to fight the trends of consolidation, information overload and information on demand (gathering information from other quicker sources). But, Stemme said, "Considering the weather, I was reasonably pleased with the turnout. We are always hopeful the event can grow."

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