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Farm show plants seeds for successful season

By JAMES HENRY
AgriNews Publications
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Quad Cities Farm Equipment Show, scheduled Jan. 20-22 at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island, will help growers get ready for planting.

“The emphasis this year will clearly be on the upcoming planting season. We believe that area farmers will turn out strongly to see and order what they’ll need for planting – from equipment to seeds, chemicals, soil treatments and fertilizers,” said event manager Richard Sherman.

“Of course, they will also have the opportunity to talk finance and crop insurance,” he added. “All of our exhibit space is now sold out, with an outstanding group of ag manufacturers, dealers and suppliers on hand to show everything that’s new in the industry.”

Now in its 22nd year, the Quad Cities Farm Equipment Show keeps getting better.

“For the third year in a row, we have continued our policy of rationing space so that we could fit new companies into the show,” Sherman noted.

“We have had to tell companies who were returning that they would have to fit into a smaller space or else we would have to turn away good farm companies, which we did not want to do.”

In turn, 21 new companies were able to showcase their wares and services last year – and another 12 have been added this year.

“It’s what keeps a show fresh and exciting each year for show visitors — not just new products from past exhibitors, but new products from companies who have never exhibited here before,” Sherman said.

The popular farm show boasts more than 200 exhibitors in all.

Citing the past season’s healthy farm income — despite the devastation of the drought — Sherman predicted an outstanding event.

“From our experience at our recently concluded show in Indianapolis, which had its largest attendance in years, we anticipate a very good show in the Quad Cities,” he said. “Visitors to this year’s show will see what is, undoubtedly, the best product show in our 22-year history.”

Among the larger displays, Sherman said, will be AGCO, Blu-Jet by Brokaw Supply Co. and Tim Rogers Repair, Case IH, Fertilizer Dealer Supply, Illini Sprayers, John Deere by River Valley Turf of Davenport, Martin Equipment, New Holland by Kunau Implement Co. and Salford by Dambman Service Inc.

Other notable exhibitors, he added, include Calmer Corn Heads, Correct Truck and Trailer, Friedman Distributing Inc., FS Grain Systems, first-time exhibitor Gingrich Enterprises Inc. showing seed tenders and scrapers, Hardi Midwest Inc., Iowa Farm Equipment featuring utility tractors, mowers and Deutz tractors, VandeVoorde Sales Inc., Vern’s Farm Systems, Wingfield Manufacturing, Yarger Machinery Sales and Z & J Farms.

The farm show boasts something for everyone, Sherman said.

“We have good short line representation and a very good mix of products, including long line, seeds, chemicals, supplies, technology, crop insurance, stoves and financial services,” he said. “Area farmers are going to see a very good show.”

Admission and parking are free. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The QCCA Expo Center is located at 2621 Fourth Ave. Take Fifth Avenue and turn left at 26th Street onto Fourth Avenue at the expo center parking lot.

For more information, contact Sherman at (843) 686-5640.