INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — When area farmers visit the 34th annual Indiana-Illinois Farm and Outdoor Power Equipment Show, Dec. 11-13 at the West Pavilion of the Indiana State Fairgrounds, heavy attention will be on next year’s planting.

“The emphasis this year will be on the upcoming planting season. We believe area farmers will turn out strongly to see and order what they’ll need for planting, from seeds to chemicals, soil treatments and fertilizers,” said show manager Richard Sherman. “Of course, they will also have the opportunity to talk finance and crop insurance (representatives).”

Show hours are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. next Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 13. Admission to the show is free, but there is a $5 per vehicle cost to park at the fairgrounds.

Show visitors will be treated to a show completely filling every available space in the 170,000 square-foot facility. “All of our exhibit space is sold out, with an outstanding group of ag manufacturers, dealers and suppliers on hand to show everything that’s new in the industry,” Sherman said.

More than 350 companies will have products and services represented. Some of the companies are exhibiting for the first time, while some are returning after a few years’ absence. Others have been there every year.

Sherman said exhibitors that have displayed since the first show include Glascock Equipment, Great Plains Manufacturing, Hiniker, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Purdue University, Select Seed, Unverferth Manufacturing, WLC, Inc., Winfield Distributors, Reynolds Farm Equipment, National Equipment, Agro Chem, Beck’s Superior Hybrids and Delphi Products.

The largest exhibitors again are led by the John Deere display, presented by Reynolds Farm Equipment and Smith Implement; the Case IH display presented by Bane Equipment; and the Caterpillar and AGCO display presented by MacAllister Machinery.

“We have great displays of self-propelled sprayers and outdoor power equipment, plus an outstanding lineup of short-line equipment,” Sherman said.

He invites producers to check out show specials from many of the vendors. “There will be some great opportunities at this year’s show to buy what you need for next year’s planting and harvest, at prices that may be surprisingly affordable.”

In keeping with the theme of looking forward to next year, the free seminars offered each day will focus on drought recovery.

“This year looked like it would be a disaster, but it turned out better than anyone imagined. Some producers skated by and some were hurt badly,” Sherman said.

Conducted each day at 11 a.m., the seminars will feature some of the state’s top economists, financial experts, agronomists and market analysts. Hoosier Ag Today will host these seminars.

On Dec. 11, the seminar will focus on agronomic issues, including fertility, conservation and seed selection. Experts from Advanced Ag Solutions and Farm Clinic will make presentations on crop and soil management issues. Noted cover crop expert Hans Kok will present information on the benefits of using cover crops to improve soil fertility and increase yields.

On Dec. 12, Purdue University extension ag economist Dr. Chris Hurt will present his outlook program, examining the forces at work in the market and making recommendations on how producers should adjust their marketing plans for 2013 and beyond. Preceding Hurt’s presentation, Sommerset CPAs will present a program on tax law changes that will impact the family farm in 2013.

The Dec. 13 seminar will deal with the futures market. A group of traders and analysts will discuss current market conditions and provide hands-on recommendations on trading strategies for farmers, hedgers and speculators.

All seminars will begin with an up-to-date market and news report from Hoosier Ag Today and will conclude with the awarding of door prizes.

Among the special exhibits at this year’s show will be the Beck’s Hybrids space that will include the 2012 Limited Edition Supercharged Camaro Panther, one of only 100 manufactured. This ag show will be one of 15 to feature it and it will be the prize in the second annual We Care For Orphans Adoption Fund Sweepstakes. Last year $85,543 was raised for the charity in this manner, and this year company Vice President Scott Beck is aiming for $100,000.