By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ag Expo, Michigan’s largest agriculture show, is back for its 31st year with traditional farm displays and activities, as well as special attractions for the whole family. The event will be July 20-22 on the Michigan State University campus.
The expo, sponsored by the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), will feature more than 250 exhibitors of equipment, seed, fertilizer, building and services. Visitors will see tractors, implements, trailers and other equipment, with the opportunity to talk with representatives from manufacturers, dealers and agencies.

Visitors also can learn about research, teaching and extension programs offered through CANR. New this year, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety’s grain engulfment simulator will be displayed and demonstrations and safety programs will take place daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Farm Safety Area.

It only takes 15 seconds for a person to be covered waist-deep in grain and only 30 seconds for their entire body to be submerged; knowing how to handle this situation can make the difference between life and death. The display presents a real-life simulation where a person will be rescued from an avalanche of flowing grain.
The demonstration will address the issues of simple engulfment scenarios, how to avoid these scenarios and rescue methods to extract a victim from a grain bin. Educational safety sessions will be held afterward to address other farm safety issues.

The simulator is being sponsored by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. The safety sessions will be conducted by MSU extension educators Mike Staton and Phil Kaatz.

“Around 700 people die each year and another 120,000 are injured due to farming accidents, so being educated in proper safety methods is key in preventing these injuries,” Staton said.
The grain bin simulator is just one of dozens of educational sessions offered during the three-day show.

“Education is what we do at Michigan State University,” said Ruth Borger, Ph.D., director of the show. “We felt it particularly important that the educational sessions be focused on up-and-coming issues as well as ones that continue to be important to our agricultural audiences.”

Another new attraction will be daily sessions exploring the economics of using hoop houses – unheated greenhouse structures – and their potential for farm profitability. Michigan farmers are experimenting with the these simple structures, characterized by a peak or Gothic frame, typically constructed using a series of bowed lengths of tubular steel covered with a layer of greenhouse plastic film.

David Conner, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS), will talk about what farmers need to keep in mind when considering adding a hoop house to their business. He said it wasn’t clear how profitable this technology could be, so he took it for a test drive by putting hoop houses on 12 farms across the state, and analyzed records of their experience and income.

“Some farmers netted up to $6,000 in the first year,” he said. “The hoop houses used in the study cost $10,000 to $12,000, which means that these farmers could realistically pay off their hoop house expense in two years.” His presentation will take place each day at 11 a.m. in the CANR tent.

On-site seed plots from commercial seed companies also will be featured during the show. Visitors will be able to talk with seed company representatives while looking at examples of the companies’ specialty soybean and corn hybrids.

Also on the Ag Expo grounds, visitors may take part in ride-and-drive demonstrations of compact tractors, utility tractors, cattle handling and chute demonstrations and stock dog training demonstrations. Visitors may also take in lawn tractor and antique tractor pulls and watch the state FFA tractor driving contest.
Daily sessions also will be offered on succession planning and financial strategies from experts in the financial field.

CANR will once again present a tent full of “The Science of Agriculture and Natural Resources” with educational activities for residents of all ages. The college tent will feature several educational demonstrations featuring wind energy, financial management, farm transitions and social media.

The MSU Dairy Store will offer free ice cream while accepting donations to support CANR scholarships.

Ag Expo features commercial farm equipment from throughout the Midwest and several Canadian provinces on the 35-acre main exhibition site, as well as educational exhibits from MSU colleges and departments.

“We are committed to the quality educational activities, demonstrations and informational presentations planned that we have offered in years past,” Hohl Borger said. “Regardless of whether you’re an experienced grower or would like to become one, there’s something for everyone at this year’s show.”

Ag Expo runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., July 20-21, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 22. Admission to the grounds and parking at Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Road are free. For more information, visit www.agexpo.msu.edu or call 800-366-7055.