I’m taking lots of pictures here at the National Farm Machinery Show and of course they’re in an online photo album. I’m sure I’ll get a wide variety by the time I’m done and I’ll add new ones each day. These boys posed in the John Deere booth for me this afternoon.
You can find the photo album here: National Farm Machinery Show Photo Album
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The first person I saw when I wandered over to the John Deere booth here at the National Farm Machinery Show was Barry Nelson (pictured on the right). Barry gave me an overview of the exhibit in an interview after he got done helping this customer.
He says that John Deere has about 50 people on hand to answer questions and assist farmers who are here to see the latest offerings. Barry says this is one of the best shows in the country. And one of the best things about it this time of year is being inside and heated which obviously worked well today since it appeared that traffic was brisk throughout the day.
Barry talks about the big equipment on display here and points out the precision guidance systems they have attached to them. He says that is one of the greatest revolutions going on in agriculture right now and farmers get hands on experience with the technology here at the show.
Listen to my interview with Barry here (4 min): nfms-07-nelson.mp3
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I mentioned the Syngenta planter boxes that Mack Estes tends in his greenhouse prior to the show here in Louisville. Today growers got to look them over and see the comparison results of different Syngenta products on corn, soybeans, tobacco and wheat.
The person who knows all about it is Sarah Gehant who devotes a lot of her time to this project. I interviewed Sarah and we did a walking tour in which she describes every box and what you’ll see. I’ve split the interview up so that you can listen to a short version or get the whole tour. If you’re interested in what Syngenta is doing and what farmers will find here then please listen in.
Here’s a short version of the interview in which Sarah talks about the booth and what goes into putting it together each year, specifically these very large planter boxes. She calls this the biggest plot tour in the country since over 100,000 people are expected to walk through.
Listen to my interview with Sarah here (4 min): nfms-07-gehant-interview.mp3
If you’d like to hear the whole tour I think you’ll find it fascinating. Sarah knows all about every product and you can hear that knowledge and her passion for the project in this audio tour (17 min): nfms-07-gehant.mp3
Post Update: To complement Sarah’s audio tour I did a walking tour today so you can see what she’s talking about.
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The planter boxes on display here in the Syngenta booth at the National Farm Machinery Show are prepared in the greenhouse of farmer Mack Estes, Owensboro, Ky. He’s pictured here with Sarah Gehant, who we’ll hear from later.
Mack had a greenhouse to grow tobacco but doesn’t use it for that purpose anymore. Now he’s on his 6th year helping Syngenta with these planter boxes that allow them to showcase their various products.
I interviewed Mack about what he does and what it means to him to work with Syngenta on this project. He says he’s learned a lot about the various products Syngenta offers and that alone has been helpful to him on his farming operation.
Listen to my interview with Mack here: nfms-07-estes.mp3
AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
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We’re going to call my first day at the National Farm Machinery Show, “Sponsor Day.” I got off to a late start due to the weather so I’ve devoted most of my time so farm conducting interviews and taking pictures at the Syngenta and John Deere Booths.
Here you can see Syngenta flying high inside the Kentucky Exposition Center.
When you visit the Syngenta booth the first thing that’s going to catch your eye though are the planter boxes.
These aren’t the kind of boxes though that you’d place on your deck or outside your window. These are very large and contain crops grown in a greenhouse. We’ll learn more about that soon.
AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
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It looks like a public relations opportunity to me. The National Farm Machinery Show doesn’t have an “official” media room. There is a nice room inside the administrative offices though which I can work out of. However, no internet access. I was told the CEO decided no internet for the media unless there’s a sponsored media room. So. Here’s an opportunity since I was told there’s been a growing number of media attend this event. There is public wi-fi too I was told for a fee but it’s only in the lobby area, not a place I can leave a computer while I go do interviews and take pictures.
Here’s another example of my Sprint Broadband card paying off. Fortunately too, this is a Sprint EV-DO area, meaning it is true broadband. So, it’s time to go get my bearings, visit my sponsors and start covering the NFMS.
AgWired coverage of the National Farm Machinery Show
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AgWired advertiser, Broadhead+Co is another big winner in the NAMA regional competition. Let me take this opportunity to thank Dean for his support of what we’re doing here on AgWired. Please visit his website and let him know that you do too.
Broadhead + Co picked up nine first place awards in regional National AgriMarketing Association award competitions, representing four different clients. For the Almond Board of California, the agency picked up three first place awards for its public relations work in public affairs/issues management, audio visual presentations as well as its electronic newsletter to almond handlers. Broadhead + Co is the Almond Board’s agency of record for industry relations.
For the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), the agency picked up first place honors for EPIC’s monthly member newsletter in the company publications category. In the customer events category, the agency, in conjunction with EPIC and the Indy Racing League, also won first place for its Pump Promotion Tour in Michigan held in conjunction with Michigan Indy 400.
In the advertising categories, the agency picked up four first place awards. In the unique print advertising category, the agency received a first for its ‘Welcome to the Big Country’ campaign for Emerald BioAgriculture. The agency also won firsts for its Emerald BioAgriculture ad “Use AuxiGro on Apples and Cherries and Harvest More Lettuce” and its National FFA Foundation trade ad for LifeKnowledge. The agency also picked up a first place award for its own corporate ad campaign, “An agency focused on the business and life of rural America” in the advertising to agribusiness category.
Can you say, “Midwest Winter Storm?” Just in case you’re looking for early morning posts from the National Farm Machinery Show, they’ll probably start more like late morning or early afternoon. It’s about a 6 hour drive from Jefferson City, MO to Louisville, KY but not today. After 6 hours I had made it to Mt. Vernon, IL where I’m spending the night. I-64 is not in good shape and I want to make sure I make it for my first ever NFMS. I’d have a picture of the road conditions for you but I was afraid to take my hands off the wheel.
I plan to get in by mid-morning at the latest depending on the conditions and then we’ll have plenty of action.
One of my sponsors for AgWired coverage of this week’s National Farm Machinery Show is John Deere. I know they’ve got a lot to see and talk about and we’ll get started on that tomorrow morning. One of those things though is their “Reach For The Stars” program which they launched with the American Soybean Association.
John Deere representative, Seth Crawford explains what the program is all about: johndeere-crawford-stars.mp3
“New AMS solutions are expanding to include functionality on non-John Deere equipment as well,” said Seth Crawford, AMS Marketing Manager. “So I am encouraging all growers, regardless of the color of your equipment, to take advantage of this program, and experience how precision ag can bring more efficiency to your operation.”
I know we’ll be talking about precision agriculture, new tractors and implements but it’s time for me to get ready to head on out to the show. You’ll get lots of pictures and interviews over the next several days as I get my first look at this annual event.
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I sure wish I was at World Ag Expo. My Truffle Media Network buddies are though and they promised to send me some pictures and information which I’ll post when I get it.
It may be a little cool in Tulare, CA but nothing like here in the Midwest where we’re having a winter storm. The drive to Louisville for the National Farm Machinery Show should be interesting.
See you from there.
