LONDON, Ohio — The Farm Science Review in London, Ohio is nearly four months away yet show manager Chuck Gamble is busy in his Columbus office, on the lookout for special angles and attractions that will interest attendees and participants. And it all begins with a show theme.
"As we encounter challenging economic times, it becomes even more important for farmers and producers to find the best information for their farm operations to remain solvent and to thrive," Gamble said. "We farmers have to operate as smart as we can in a challenging economy. That said, this year’s theme is ‘Sharp Ideas, Sharp Equipment and Sharp Results.’
"Farm Science Review is all about learning new tips, techniques and information to help producers increase their farm operations’ bottom line. Some of the issues participants can expect to learn more about include the agriculture economy, grain markets, land values and cash rents. Attending Farm Science Review can help farmers align their farm operations with better, smarter decisions."
Farmers and producers can gain a sharper edge and glean cutting-edge ideas from experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University during the 53rd Farm Science Review Sept. 22-24 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.
"The Review will again emphasize the best agricultural research, resources, information and access for farmers," Gamble said.
Last year, Farm Science Review offered 180 educational presentations and opportunities presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, specialists and faculty, as well as Purdue University educators.
"Because we’ve had a good planting season so far, it will likely lead to lower prices – that’s the challenge growers are facing right now," Gamble said. "Lower grain prices are causing farmers to seek ways to lower costs, improve efficiencies and to improve marketing. OSU Extension agricultural economists will be talking about what farmers should expect and also looking at the impact of U.S. Department of Agriculture commodity programs and crop insurance."
The Review will also offer information on water quality and how producers and growers can comply with new Ohio laws in that area, Gamble said.
These issues are just a sampling of the topics participants can expect to learn about during the three-day farm trade show that annually draws more than 130,000 farmers, growers, producers and agricultural enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada. Participants can peruse 4,000 product lines from 620 commercial exhibitors and capitalize on educational opportunities from Ohio State and Purdue specialists.
A sampling of Review highlights include:
•Plot demonstrations by members of the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team on corn, soybean, cover crops and bio-energy crops.
•Daily field demonstrations in the fields adjacent to the Review premise.
•A comprehensive demonstration of an unmanned aerial system for real-time crop surveillance. Used as another tool in the farmer’s precision agriculture toolbox, the drones can be used to provide useful local site-specific data, including crop scouting and geo-referencing. This allows growers to monitor pesticides dispersion and fertilizer usage and to monitor crop health parameters, including soil moisture.
"This year will be the most concerted effort we’ve had in terms of offering information on drones, as they are even more important for farmers now," Gamble said. "The Ohio-Indiana UAS Complex and Test Center is assisting with obtaining the Certificates of Authorization (COA) to fly drones for the demonstrations. We will have up to five companies that offer drone technology that will participate in the demonstrations. We will also transmit video from the drones on a large monitor for participants to view. That industry is ready to take off, and we are aligned for the most robust demonstrations.
"In addition, we should have very robust field demonstrations. We’ve had a great planting season, and emergence is excellent and wheat has started heading. We’re off to a great start to the 2015 crop."
Advance tickets for the Farm Science Review are $7 at all OSU Extension county offices, many local agribusinesses and online starting in mid-July at http:// fsr.osu.edu/visitors
Tickets will be $10 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Hours of the show are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 22-23 and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24.
