Farm show takes over Louisville Feb. 13-16

The show is a huge draw for farmers and farm-related businesses from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and other states, and this year’s extravaganza boasts more exhibits than ever before.

“We’ve been able to open up some Class A exhibit lobby space and expand from 850 exhibitors last year to almost 870 exhibitors in total this year,” said Amanda Storment, vice president of PR and media for the Kentucky State Fair Board.

“This is our largest show produced by the KSFB in terms of economic impact,” she said. “The four days of the show mean about $22 million for the community and the state.”

“We’ve been hearing from people about this show since last September — it’s a show that people literally take time off work to attend and plan their February around, and it also boasts the country’s oldest Championship Tractor Pull,” she added.

The event will retain last year’s theme, “The Future of Farming,” but will feature a cornucopia of new events, seminars and exciting entertainment.

Last year, show coordinators launched the first free NFMS mobile application, available for smartphones, including iPhones, Androids, and BlackBerry phones, which will provide show guests and exhibitors with text alerts, traffic information, efficient show entry and any new products being displayed or promoted, Storment noted.

Growers with a smartphone can search “NFMS ‘13” in iTunes, Google Play and BlackBerry World.

The app also offers interactive maps, easy social media options, event listings, a Louisville event guide and a full listing of all the exhibitors at the farm show.

“If we find a new product is being unveiled, we will send it out using our mobile app through Twitter,” Storment said. “Social media will be incorporated into the app using the hashtag #nfms13.”

She said about 300,000 people are expected to attend and visit row after row of agricultural products and services, hands-on demonstrations of the latest technological advancements and a variety of free seminars at this year’s show.

The KSFB also offers attendees the opportunity to buy tickets for next year’s show at past-year prices.

A sample of this year’s seminars includes:

Wednesday, Feb. 13

* 11 a.m. — “Trends in Used Equipment Values” with Greg Peterson, implement and tractor columnist, presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B, Room 105;

* 1 p.m. — “New Combine Technology,” presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing B, Room 104;

* 2:30 p.m. — “Market and Weather Strategies” Expert Perspective and Outlook on Weather and Commodity Trends, presented by DTN, South Wing C, Room 101;

Thursday, Feb. 14

* 8:30 a.m. — “Market and Weather Strategies “Expert Perspective and Outlook on Weather and Commodity Trends, presented by DTN, South Wing C, Room 101;

* 10 a.m. — Marketing Outlook Seminar with Bob Utterback, Farm Journal economist, presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B, Room 105;

* 11:30 a.m. — Super Sized Yields Seminar: “Growing Champion Corn & Soybeans,” presented by DTN, South Wing C, Room 101;

* 1 p.m. — Equipment Solutions for Herbicide Resistance, presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing B, Room 104;

* 2:30 p.m. — Live Market Roundtable Taping of “U.S. Farm Report,” presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B, Room 105; and

* 4 p.m. — High-hp Four-Wheel Drive Tractors, presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing B, Room 104.

Friday, Feb. 15

* 10 a.m. — “Market and Weather Strategies” Expert Perspective and Outlook on Weather and Commodity Trends, presented by DTN, South Wing C, Room 101;

* 11:30 a.m. — Market Volatility Workshop: CY2013 Crop Insurance Strategies presented by DTN, South Wing C, Room 101; and

* 1 p.m. — Robotic Technology on the Farm, presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing B, Room 104.

Guests again will gear up for the annual Championship Tractor Pull at Broadbent Arena, the oldest indoor tractor pull in America, sponsored by Syngenta.

Storment said ticket holders always look forward to the opportunity to talk to tractor drivers and get their autographs in the pit Wednesday night.

Guests once again can take a break from the NFMS exhibit floor and visit the Family Living Center, a special area of the show that offers a change of pace with unique gifts for friends, farm toys for the kids and beautiful accessories for the home that is open in the East Hall of the Kentucky Exposition Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the show.

The shopping center encompasses 80 booths offering accessories for the home to clothing and jewelry. Among the exhibits will be glass figurines at Ely Brown Glass and John Deere toys and merchandise at Henry County Supply Inc.

Other products include plush farm animals from Granny’s Attic, as well as handcrafted gifts and collectibles at Breezy Ridge Antiques and Crafts and telescoping flagpoles and flags at Uncommon USA.

For hungry shoppers, the Sweet Shoppe and Wisconsin Cheese and Sausage Co. will have sweet and savory snacks.

“We try to encourage and let everyone know not only that the center is free and open to the public, but that it offers something for everyone,” Storment said. “Shoppers can find gifts and products for the home, but also for the backyard gardener. We’ve got everything you need from the backyard patio to a thousand-acre farm.”

National Farm Machinery Show admission is free, while parking is $8. Championship Tractor Pull ticket prices are $40 for Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., $45 for Friday at 7:30 p.m., $40 for Saturday at 1 p.m. and $45 for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

All Championship Tractor Pull seats are reserved. Tickets are subject to availability.

Tickets are sold at the Freedom Hall Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Order by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Tickets also can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. All prices include a facility fee.

For additional information about the farm show and tractor pull, call the NFMS Hotline at (502) 367-5004, visit the official website at www. farmmachineryshow.org, connect with National Farm Machinery Show on Facebook, follow @nfmslouisville on Twitter or download the free mobile app.