By STEVE BINDER
Illinois Correspondent GIFFORD, Ill. — When the 17th Midwest Ag Expo kicks off next week at Gordyville USA, organizers are promising that visitors will get an exciting taste of things old and new.
The old? One of the most impressive collections of antique tractors assembled in the Midwest will be on display during the two-day event.
The new? Expo-goers will be able for the first time to participate in a panel with regional experts who will discuss the future of commodities.
“We’re excited about this year’s show, and we know it should be well-attended again. We have nearly 200 exhibitors and quite a lengthy waiting list of those who want to be a part of it. We’re full up, though,” said Gary Manke, expo manager with the Midwest Equipment Dealers Assoc.
“Last year we had a great turnout, and each event draws between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors. The facilities are wonderful, more than 144,000 square feet.”
The Midwest Ag Expo runs from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 27. It is based at Gordyville USA, home to the Gordon Hannagan Auction Co. in Gifford, about 20 miles northeast of Champaign, Ill., and five miles east of Rantoul, along Route 136. Admission to the expo and parking on the grounds are free. Full food and beverage servers also are available on the grounds.
The expo manager said organizers are excited about the commodity panel in part because of the participants, who are well-known and respected in their fields. Gale Cunningham, farm director for WYXY-FM 99.1, a 50,000-watt station based in Champaign, spearheaded the formation of the panel and will serve as moderator.
“I wanted to help put together something that everyone would find interesting and engaging,” he explained. “I think we’ve got the best group together and hope it will be a real good show.”
The panel discussion will begin at 2:30 p.m. next Wednesday – the first day of the expo – and Cunningham said the first part should last about 30 minutes.
Visitors then will be able to ask questions of any of the panelists, Cunningham said.
On the panel are: Pete Manhart, owner of Bates Commodities in Normal, Ill.; Paul Cooley, with ADM Investors, Inc. in Oakland; David Prahl, with Premier Cooperative in Champaign; and Jessica Hedriech, with Bunge Milling in Danville.
“Pete and Paul are very well-respected commodity brokers in our area, and they’ll discuss everything related to the corn markets … and the overseas markets,” Cunningham said.
Prahl will discuss the cash side of the grain markets; Premier Cooperative is the largest grain co-op in the region. Hadriech, who is a transportation expert with Bunge, will offer viewpoints as it relates to the end user and transportation of grain, Cunningham said.
“I think I’ve got the best group together to give people a wide range of information, and I hope there’ll be a lot of interaction,” he added. He also said he’ll do live reports from the expo.
Another “new” element to the expo this year is the implementation of stricter emissions standards for off-road vehicles with more than 175 hp.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s interim Tier 4 standards were implemented beginning Jan. 1 and the full Tier 4 standards go into effect in 2014.
The new standards limit the amount of particulate matter and nitrous oxide emissions for large, off-road machines. They require a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter and a 50 percent drop in nitrous oxide compared to the Tier 3 standards.
“Everyone will be talking about Tier 4 at this year’s show, and energy efficiency. Changing engines are issues everyone will have to look at,” Manke said. “Depending on the manufacturers, the increased costs could be anywhere from 8-15 percent.”
Anyone with questions about the expo is welcome to call Manke or his assistant, Julie Roisum, at 608-240-4700. |
