LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A dozen businesses have participated in all 50 years of the National Farm Machinery Show, scheduled this year for Feb. 11-15 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. More than 1 million square feet of display space will be occupied by 850 exhibitors.

Although The Grasshopper Co. of Moundridge, Kan., didn’t exist when the show was established in 1965, its parent company, Moridge Manufacturing, Inc., was among those first exhibitors.

“In 1969, Moridge came out with Grasshopper mowers, the first zero-turn mower,” said Grasshopper Communication Specialist Mike Simmon. “The reason we’re still there is that farm, ag, rural lifestyle is our key market.”

He said Grasshopper was developed from the ground up – no off-the-shelf parts or processes existed – much like the agriculture industry as a whole.

Simmon said Grasshopper products are sold by ag-based dealers and, put simply, the NFMS is “still a great show for us. I think we’ll be interested in going as long as the show exists. It’s definitely a good show, and we’re proud we’ve been there for 50 years.”

Kenneth Townsend of Townsend’s Sales & Livestock Equipment of Trafalgar, Ind., said his firm is able to display several pieces of equipment. “We can display shoots, head gates, scales, automatic waterers,” he explained. “The show is good for generating leads and sales for us.”

Although Massey Ferguson didn’t support the show, dealer Parrish Implement Co., Inc. of Louisville displayed equipment there from its inception instead of going to the state fair, according to Buford Parrish.

“That first year was small and not very successful,” he said. “But each year, the show has grown, and we continue to be a supporter.”

The Parrish family had as many as three stores, but today has one active store about 50 miles from his home. He said they sell a lot of parts.

“We felt strongly that it was a good show for our industry to showcase new equipment,” Parrish said. “In its infancy, they couldn’t get enough (participants) to fill one exhibit hall.”

He said it’s important to realize how much the show has grown from those early years. “The major companies figured if they didn’t support, it wouldn’t last. They were doing state fairs, so no other local shows existed,” he explained.

Parrish believes it has become one of the largest farm equipment shows in North America because of its central location. “Fifty percent of the U.S. is within a day’s drive of Louisville. I may sound like the Chamber of Commerce, but I’m very supportive of the facility. This show draws from all 50 states and several foreign countries.”

“This show is the place to be,” added Corinne Fetter, director of expositions for the Kentucky Exposition Center. “For this industry, it is the show to attend; it’s a destination.”

She agreed with Parrish’s remark that one reason it’s grown so large is the location, but added the size of the facility and the layout of the show are a large attraction, as well. Fetter expects about 300,000 visitors to attend the four-day event.

Fetter said the companies that have displayed for all 50 years will be recognized during the exhibitor reception on the first night of the show. “We also have plans in the works for a ribbon-cutting ceremony the opening morning, and we’ve invited those exhibitors to attend that as well,” she said.

Companies exhibiting all 50 years of the show include Allis Chalmers/AGCO, Case IH, Danuser, Daugherty Cos., DuPont Pioneer, Hutchinson/Mayrath, John Deere Co., Manitou Americas, Inc., Parrish Implement Co., Inc., Rhino/Earthmaster, Stockyard Farm & Dairy Supply, Inc. and Townsend’s Sales & Livestock Equipment.

For more information on the National Farm Machinery Show next week, visit www.nationalfarmmachineryshow.org