I was surprised to learn how many dairy farmers visit the National Farm Machinery Show. This afternoon I visited the WestphaliaSurge booth and talked with Jerry Quellhorst. They’ve got a large exhibit here and he says he spoke with dairymen from states all over the country today. He said about half their crew is here and the other half is out in Tulare, CA at the World Ag Expo which is taking place at the same time.
Jerry says they’ve got equipment on display here that’s so new it’s not even available yet. For example, they have some new automatic detachers which you can see demonstrated.
Listen to my interview with Jerry here (7 min): nfms-07-quellhorst.mp3
AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
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Just in case I didn’t mention it, this show is big. I think one of the things that’s so unique about it is the fact that it’s all under a roof. Not only is it weather proof but you don’t have the dust or mud that comes with an outdoor show. It’s very clean. I guess the trade-off though is space since the big iron takes up a lot of room.
During the day attendees here at the National Farm Machinery Show can mingle with the drivers and mechanics who are competing in the Championship Tractor Pull which runs each evening.
Dr. Clarence Swanton was here at the National Farm Machinery Show today. He’s a researcher from the 
One of the cool things John Deere is talking about in their booth here at the National Farm Machinery Show is their 
The pictures that are produced by the system provide images like this “Normalized Difference Vegetative Index.” As soon as the pictures are available Jeff says farmers can analyze them or work with their local retailer or consultant to interpret them and the data can be easily integrated into precision ag systems or whatever type of farm management program is being used.
This show has been interesting from the media standpoint since we don’t really have a common location to work from. Usually all of us media types can work side by side in relative peace and quiet away from the crowds. This afternoon I did a walk around and found some of my media buddies working in various places.
I don’t know if you’ve had the chance to experience a tractor pull, much less one that’s indoors. One of the interesting aspects of it is the fact that the exhaust has to be routed through a tube called the “pipe.” They claimed that this was a new and improved pipe but right before I left it broke and let’s just say it’s a good thing they have a great air movement system in the arena. So here’s what these things look and sound like. This tractor is called Up ‘n’ Atom.
Getting back to the National Farm Machinery Championship Tractor Pull, which is sponsored by Syngenta . . . The opening ceremony included remarks from Ron Cowman, Syngenta area sales representative (pictured on the right). I hope I have his name spelled right.
I thought I would go to tonight’s tractor pull competition for just a little while and wound up staying way longer than I intended. This is my first indoor tractor pull. Thank goodness and Syngenta for that considering how cold it is outside.