In making plans to attend this year’s Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, March 1-2 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, Tim Price, show manager, offers this short list of to-dos:
1. Register online. Registration is now open for the 61st annual show and you can register online at www.farmandginshow.com. Click on the Attendee Registration button and follow the instructions for completing the form and printing your confirmation. Bring the confirmation to the show and staff will help you print your name badge and finalize your registration. By pre-registering online, you can check in at the pre-registration kiosk and print your name badge. Go online and complete the form today! Go to www.farmandginshow.com for details (click on the Attendee Registration button).
2. Download the 2013 Show App.“We are launching our third version of the mobile app this year,” Price says. “We were one of the first shows to introduce a mobile app for attendees. Who knew we would be on the cutting edge of this technology? We were surprised and thrilled with the number of attendees — more than 4,000 last year — who took advantage of the app. You can join those and others in 2013 when you download the new version.”
In addition to schedules of educational seminars and other show events and activities, there’s a map of the convention center with exhibitor booth information, and information on local restaurants and activities. Sign up for alerts to stay connected with the latest information. You can download the app at www.farmandginshow.com, by scanning the QR code on the posters at the show, or from iTunes and the Android app store.
3. Commodity outlookswill be center stage at the show’s Ag Update Sessions. “Despite much of the nation experiencing some form of drought in 2012, record production was posted in parts of the Mid-South and South,” Price says. “Make sure to attend the Ag Update seminars to get the latest information on what to expect in 2013.” There will be updates on all Mid-South crops at the seminars set for Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2.
For the Friday session, Carl Brothers, Riceland Foods, will provide the outlook for rice and wheat, and Joe Nicosia, Allenberg Cotton, will give the cotton market outlook. Richard Brock, Brock Associates, will cover grains and politics in his session Saturday, March 2. Make plans to attend both sessions as 2013 promises to be another interesting year in agriculture production.
4. Expect a technology focus. “It’s a digital world,” Price says, “and hand-held devices (phones, tablets, etc.) are changing the way we do business — especially in agriculture. Farmers have been early adopters of technology, such as GPS, and we’re discovering there are so many more uses for technology and applications that help us work smarter and improve our bottom line. It’s hard to say what may be on the horizon, but it’s safe to say it will be talked about at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.”
5. Join in the celebration of American agriculture.“This is the 61st year for the South’s premier farm show,” Price says, “and it has evolved into a premier show that is, every year, bigger and better than ever. We know farmers attend this show year in and year out because they can connect with other farmers they see only at this show. Take a moment to connect with someone you see here in Memphis each year, and celebrate American agriculture. It all comes together at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show!”
The show is sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor. There is no charge to attend the show, but registration is required to enter the exhibit areas. Show hours Friday are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.