By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Farmers can do more than just look at equipment at the 30th Ag Expo.

For the first time in Ag Expo history, the show offers a ride-and-drive for larger row-crop tractors. Six manufacturers and dealers will bring in tractors that farmers can compare in side-by-side test drives.

In addition, ride-and-drive demonstrations for articulating wheel loaders, skid steers and zero-turn mowers will be offered throughout the three-day show July 21-23 on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus.

“We’ll have tractors ranging from 135 to 350 horsepower,” said Tim Rogers, Ag Expo demonstration coordinator.

“You can come out to the show and try them all in one place, which is a real convenience that saves farmers time and money. Some of the tractors will be equipped with GPS and auto-steer systems, too, so it’s also a great chance to find out more about those technologies, which help farmers be more precise in the fields and, in turn, more profitable.”

Five manufacturers will be on hand with wheel loaders in two classes – compact and mid-sized loaders for dairy feeding applications – as well as skid steers.

“Where else can you go in the state and try out several different pieces of machinery in one place?” Rogers asked. “We try hard to ensure that we have similar sizes and types of all machines in every demonstration so you can really compare apples to apples.
“Our goal is to help attendees make the best purchasing decision for their farm,” he said.

Participants in the ride-and-drive demonstrations must be at least 18 years old. All demonstrations are monitored and follow safety standards.

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

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21 and 22 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 23 at the corner of Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road on Michigan State University’s (MSU) East Lansing campus.
Because of road construction on Farm Lane, the Ag Expo parking area and grounds will only be accessible from Mount Hope Road. Admission is free.

Visit www.agexpo.msu.edu or call 1-800-366-7055 for more information or a complete list of Ag Expo activities.
Don’t forget to visit the Farm World staff at its Ag Expo booth, too.