Delta Farm Press is co-sponsor: Farm & Gin Show set for Feb. 27-28
Dec 12, 2003 12:00 PM, By Hembree Brandon Farm Press Editorial Staff
From the latest in equipment, to seed, chemicals, and services, and other products, growers will find it in the hundreds of exhibits that make up the largest indoor farm show in the South, to be held at Memphis Feb.27-28.
With the opening of the expanded Cook Convention Center last year, the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show gained an additional 35,000 square feet, which had been badly needed to accommodate a waiting list of exhibitors.
“We're looking forward to a great show in 2004,” says Tim Price, executive vice president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, which sponsors the show, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor.
“We hope everyone will be making plans to come out and be a part of what we expect to be another record-setting show.”
The 52nd annual show will offer a cornucopia of commercial exhibits — from A to Z — for the thousands who attend from all over the Mid-South.
Coming just before most farmers kick off the new season, Price says, “It will offer an opportunity for growers to get the latest outlook on crops and markets from two Ag Update seminars, plus meeting face to face with representatives for a wide range of equipment, products, and services.”
The event is the largest indoor assembly of agricultural products and equipment in the Mid-South, and the largest cotton equipment trade show in the nation.
The show will cover in excess of 200,000 square feet. “Bring some comfortable walking shoes,” Price says, “because there's going to be a lot of space to cover.”
Food service offerings were also expanded last year and made more convenient, providing more opportunities for showgoers to take a break for refreshments and/or lunch.
This year's show will continue the perennially popular Ag Update seminars. “We always have a packed house for these sessions,” Price says, “and this year should be no exception as growers try to get as much information as possible on which to base their decisions for the new year.”
Already lined up for the Friday morning session are William “Billy” Dunavant, who will give his annual forecast for cotton, and Richard “Dick” Bell, who will provide an analysis of rice, soybeans, and wheat.
“These are very challenging times for agriculture, and farmers attending the show will have an opportunity to get the latest news on agricultural issues and crop outlooks,” Price says.
Other speakers will be announced later.
The doors for the big show open at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday and close at 5 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Member associations of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association are holding their annual meetings in conjunction with the Farm & Gin Show. Headquarters for the ginner events will be the Peabody Hotel.
Participating are the Arkansas-Missouri Cotton Ginners Association, the Mississippi Cotton Ginners Association, the Tennessee Cotton Ginners Association, and the Louisiana Cotton Ginners Association.
In addition to all the great information, show attendees will have an opportunity to win cash prizes in drawings held during the show's two-day run.
The official program for the show, which includes information about exhibitors, things to do, places to eat, along with stories and photos related to Mid-South ginning and agricultural production, is published by Farm Press and will be mailed with the Feb. 13 issue of Delta Farm Press and to Alabama subscribers in the Feb. 11 issue of Southeast Farm Press.
e-mail: hbrandon@primediabusiness.com
