By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As bad as the winter has been – and it has been bad for most of the country – one bright spot remains in this region, the National Farm and Machinery Show (NFMS).

This will mark the 46th year for the annual event, which has grown from a few hundred farmers and salesmen in 1965 to approximately 300,000 visitors and more than 800 exhibitors, with every kind of farm implement known. Harold Workman, who has served as president and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) since 1993, said attendance has remained strong throughout the show’s history.

“We continue to hang our hat on the fact that the show maintains solid attendance figures regardless of the farm climate,” he said. “The exhibition area consistently has a waiting list for exhibitors and the attendance numbers consistently stay high.”

With recent expansions at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center (KEC), where the NFMS is held, exhibitors and patrons alike have 27 acres (1.2 million square feet) of indoor space to experience the many booths and educational seminars that range from marketing practices for farmers to fine-tuning crop production skills, and long-term sustainability risks.

According to information provided by the KSFB, “attendees can take advantage of in-depth product comparisons, as well as discover innovative technology, new product launches, alternative energy and solutions to the challenges facing today’s agribusiness professionals.”

Not only does the event provide farmers with a glimpse of the newest farming innovations, it provides the city a local economical impact to the tune of $22 million. In the event show-goers want to see more of the Derby City, Louisville has dozens of attractions, including the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Louisville Science Center, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Frazier International History Museum, the Bell of Louisville, the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Speed Art Museum and the Thomas Edison House.

In a addition to the exhibitors and seminars, more than 80 companies will have goods for sale in the Family Living Center. Vendors will have everything from flavored nuts to jewelry.

For almost as long as there has been a NFMS there has also been a Championship Tractor Pull to go along with it. This year marks the 43rd tractor pull, which brings in more than 70,000 spectators each year. (For more details, refer to the article on page 2S in this week’s special NFMS supplement.)
The NFMS will take place Feb. 16-19 at the KEC, with free admission and $8 parking. The Championship Tractor Pull will be held in the adjoining Freedom Hall. The Family Living Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and is located in the East Hall of the KEC.

Free seminars at NFMS

Wednesday, Feb. 16
•10 a.m., “Corn College Tune Up” with Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist, South Wing B 105
•11:30 a.m., “Marketing Secrets: The Insider’s Story” with AgWeb, South Wing B 105
•1 p.m., “Rising Used Values: The New Reality” with Greg Peterson, implement & tractor columnist, South Wing B 105
•2:30 p.m., Marketing Outlook Seminar with Bob Utterback, Farm Journal Economist, South Wing B 105
•4 p.m., “Stop Walking! Come Hear Company Reps Compare CROP SENSORS,” South Wing B 104

Thursday, Feb. 17
•8:30 a.m., “Market and Weather Strategies,” South Wing C 101-104
•10 a.m., Marketing Outlook Seminar with Bob Utterback, South Wing B 105
•11:30 a.m., “Growing Champion Corn & Soybean Yields!” South Wing C 101-104
•1 p.m., “Stop Walking! Come Hear Company Reps Compare COMBINE CORN HEADS,” South Wing B 104
•2:30 p.m., Live Market Roundtable Taping of “U.S. Farm Report,” South Wing B 105
•4 p.m., “Stop Walking! Come Hear Company Reps Compare SOYBEAN HEADERS,” South Wing B 104

Friday, Feb. 18
•8:30 a.m., “Market and Weather Strategies,” South Wing C 101-104
•10 a.m., “Corn College Tune Up” with Missy Bauer, Farm Journal associate field agronomist, South Wing B 105

•11:30 a.m., “Technology Revolution,” South Wing C 101-104
•1 p.m., “Stop Walking! Come Hear Company Reps Compare NITROGEN APPLICATORS,” South Wing B 104

Farm Journal Media is the official communication partner of the National Farm Machinery Show.

Visit www.farmmachineryshow.org or watch “AgDay Television” for additional updates related to the show. For more information, call the NFMS Hotline at 502-367-5004.