“In six years, I went from just having a cell phone to my tractor driving itself, and having a small airplane flying and landing itself on a farm,” Blair said.

The new precision farmers are hacking together a way of making food in which the virtual and physical worlds are so tightly bound that having his tractor steered by GPS-guidance with inch-level accuracy is ho-hum. Autosteering of farm machinery has exploded over the past several years, according to an annual survey by Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business. In 2004, just 5 percent of agricultural retail outlets offered autosteering. In 2008, more than half did.

In a 2009 issue of Precision Farmer Magazine, Montana wheat farmer Steven Swank described the benefits of a souped-up GPS called “real-time kinematic” (RTK) satellite navigation.

“RTK is so much more relaxing. It allows you to multitask, and that (allows) me to spend more time with my family,” Montana wheat farmer told Steven Swank. “I even watched a DVD in the cab with my daughter recently.”

Blair, at 40, is a leader of this next generation of farmers who are adapting the precision dreams of the ’90s to the realities of the soil and the history of their acreage. People dreamed of vastly reducing pesticide and fertilizer use by applying just the right amount to each plant, but the variable-rate technologies have been only patchily adopted. Instead, a new crop of younger growers has started to use something like augmented reality. Data draped over their land guides their tractors and their decision-making.

“The big story is the generational shift going on right now,” said Joe Russo, president of the agriculture technology company, ZeDX. “The younger people are starting to get ahold of these farms and they have a much different attitude to technology. They Twitter, they got smartphones, they’re always on the computer. Precision ag is gonna ride that wave.”
Farmers have adopted autosteer, especially, because it has made them money. By eliminating the slop-space that even the best farm machinery operators needed, it allows them to put more rows in their fields, effectively increasing their per-acre yields. For high-value crops, it was an obvious technology to adopt.

“The payback was so much more than variable rate ever was that it was a no-brainer,” said Paul Schrimpf, who has been covering precision agriculture for the magazine CropLife.
Blair wants to push further, though. He’s leading a charge to adapt unmanned aerial vehicles — like the Predator Drones zipping across Afghanistan — to the task of crop surveillance. In true maker fashion, he’s not waiting for the technology to be delivered to him. He has founded a company and built a prototype of his UAV that uses an off-the-shelf digital camera to take photos of his farm.

The images it produces aren’t just pretty pictures, they can be converted into data that can be used in water, fertilizer and pesticide decision-making.

Based on the color data captured by the CCD, Blair can obtain a value called the normalized differential vegetative index, which he can use to find patterns in his fields.

“Now we have a numeric value and we can write an algorithm to find different things,” Blair explained. “Is a stressed crop showing a different value than one that’s healthy?”
Farmers like Blair have antecedents in the farmer-scientists of the Green Revolution, but ever-cheaper information technology has let them map the data to their land with ever greater resolution. Blair is slowly turning the vast, uncontrolled experiment that is his farm into a living laboratory that also happens to make money.

Tax time will be here before you know it – and certainly before most of us want it to be. But it is inevitable. Hopefully I can ease its arrival of some farmers by reminding you of the benefits of accelerated depreciation for farm equipment.

Farmers have until December 31, 2009, to take advantage of the accelerated depreciation schedule for most farm equipment. The bonus depreciation measure (which reduced the depreciation schedule for most agricultural equipment from seven to five years) was extended until the end of 2009 under the economic stimulus package passed this year.

There is no guarantee the accelerated depreciation schedule will be extended again, says Paul Kindinger, president and CEO, North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). In fact, the measure almost did not pass this year. If the new economic stimulus package works, Congress will likely have less enthusiasm for an accelerated depreciation tool because it costs the U.S. Treasury and is supposed to be a temporary tool, Kindinger says.

The accelerated depreciation schedule definitely helps farmers who have had some good financial years recently and would rather invest income in new equipment than pay it in taxes. 2009 net farm income is expected to be the third or fourth largest in U.S. history.

To find out how your operation might benefit from the accelerated depreciation schedule, contact your local CPA or tax attorney.

Got a job to do? There's a compact tractor that can help you do it in comfort. The market for these small workhorses is growing rapidly.

Subcompact, compact, and utility tractors represent approximately three-fourths of all tractors sold in North America today. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers report that sales of <40-PTO horsepower tractors increased each month from October 2004 to January 2005.

Used compact tractor sales are up, as well, says Greg Peterson, owner of F.A.C.T's Report (800/381-0423 or www.machinerypete.com). "Auction sale prices on tractors more than 5 years old in this horsepower range are holding very strong. It's not unusual to see particular models even appreciating in value on a year-to-year basis."
As with most tractors, several attachments are available. Mowing and loader work are the two biggest uses for these tractors, say manufacturers. Several new tractor models this spring are designed around loaders with an emphasis on comfort and convenience. Visibility is key to loaders. If you can see what you're doing, you are more productive. Now go out and get the job done!
Side by side: Compact tractors

AGCO
AGCO is introducing eight new compact tractor models this spring, including the ST34A shown here. A completely new loader, deluxe seats, and ergonomically located controls offer operator convenience and comfort previously only available on full-size AGCO tractors. Has mechanical front-wheel drive, tilt-up hood, and removable side panels. New loader uses a pedestal mount for quick mount and dismount. Suggested retail price range for the ST34A is $25,026 to $28,802 for the cab version, and $15,870 to $19,506 for the platform version.

Branson
Branson tractors are manufactured by Kukje Machinery Co. of Korea and sold by Branson Tractor Company in Georgia. Branson has five models of compact tractors. The Branson 3510 is shown here with a BL10A loader and industrial tires. It features synchro shuttle transmission. The 12 forward/12 reverse transmission gives you four gears in each of three ranges. A synchronized reverser is standard to make repetitive forward-to-reverse loading faster. Price not provided.

Challenger
Challenger MT200 compact tractors, including the new MT200B shown here, are known for ruggedness and professional-grade power. Sold and serviced by Caterpillar dealers nationwide. Ranging from 23 to 52 gross engine hp., the MT200B is now more comfortable with controls repositioned for easier use. Retail prices range from $13,500 to $35,500 (for the MT295B Cab model).

Farmall
The Farmall brand, made by Case IH, dates back to the 1920s. The new DXE, D, and DX Series include subcompact, compact, and utility tractors --15 models from 18 to 55 engine hp. For light-duty work and mowing, three subcompact models (DX18E, DX22E, and DX25E) offer nimble handling in a homeowner-friendly package. In the 23- to 45-hp. range, 10 compact models are available (DX29 is shown here). In the 48- to 55-hp. range, two models are available. The price range for DXE, D, and DX Series is $9,600 to $26,000 (not including accessories, attachments, freight, setup).

Farmtrac
The Farmtrac 270DTC compact tractor, made by Long Agribusiness, has a 27-hp., three-cylinder, indirect-injection, water-cooled engine. Features a shuttle drive, partial synchromesh transmission. Also features hydrostatic steering, four-wheel drive, rigid roll bar, telescopic drawbar, adjustable stabilizers, and rear differential lock. The ISO block-mounted platform area prevents vibrations. Industrial or turf tires are available. Matching implements such as loader, finishing mower, and tiller are also available. Suggested retail price for the Farmtrac 270DTC is $12,728.

John Deere
John Deere's newest addition to its tractor lineup is the 3000 TWENTY Series. Four new models, including the 3120 shown here, range from 30 to 44 in gross engine horsepower. Performance tracking system allows you to monitor all tractor functions with a touch of a button. Features an automobile-style console for controls. Loader joystick and four-wheel drive make tractors loader-ready. Hydrostatic transmission means no clutching or shifting. Suggested retail price for the 3120 is $18,979.

Kioti
Kioti's new CK30 compact tractor features hydrostatic transmission, single-lever joystick, and a newly designed hood and fender. Removable engine panels and front hood allow easy access. Kioti diesel engines produce low noise, little vibration, and meet or exceed EPA regulation. Rear and front PTO are standard on CK30 tractors. Select rear or mid PTO separately or simultaneously. This allows the use of various implements, including a midmount mower. The operation of the front-end loader is made easier by use of the single-lever joystick. Suggested retail price for the CK30 with foldable ROPS and ag tires is $15,818.

Kubota
Kubota offers a wide range of compact tractor models. The Grand L4630 shown here features a 44-hp. diesel engine (net), hydrostatic power steering, and a three-point hitch. Lift capacity at 24 inches behind lift point is 2,760 pounds. The L4630 offers three transmission choices and a top speed of 14 miles per hour. Performance-matched front loaders are available. Has a one-piece full open front hood. Rugged, durable, and simple to operate. Suggested retail price is $22,094 (tractor only).

Mahindra
The Mahindra 2810 has a 28-hp. engine and features easy-grip levers and handles, and ergonomic controls and pedals for operator comfort. Comes with four-wheel drive, full open hood, independent PTO with safety mechanism and electrohydraulic clutch, power steering, spacious operator platform, and tiltable steering column. Has a four-stroke, indirect-injection, water-cooled diesel engine. Suggested retail price is $13,750.

Massey Ferguson
The new 1500 Series compact tractors from Massey Ferguson feature full-size tractor styling, quieter and more durable engines, greater comfort, and enhanced operator convenience with quick removal and replacement of attachments. The tractors are simple to operate with easy-to-read automotive-style dash. The three-cylinder, turbocharged engines have from 33 to 40 horsepower. Prices range from $10,948 to $34,351 depending on options.

McCormick
McCormick International has added the C-Max Series, a new range of utility tractors for price-conscious acreage and small farm owners. The series features five models from 59 to 99 engine hp. These three- and four-cylinder engines run more quietly, reducing bystander noise levels. Operator platform is designed to enhance driver comfort and reduce vibration and noise. Retail price for the C-Max line ranges from $29,249 to $45,857.

Montana Tractors
Montana Tractors are new to the compact market in 2004. They are manufactured in South Korea with final assembly and testing at U.S. headquarters in Arkansas. Seven compact models range from 27 to 45 horsepower. Model 2740 (shown) is powered by a 27-hp., three-cylinder, diesel engine. Four-wheel drive gives extra traction and pulling power. Has a three-year warranty. Suggested retail price is $11,867.50.

New Holland
New Holland Boomer compact tractors feature power, maneuverability, and operating ease. Models range from 18-hp. subcompacts up to 55-hp. utility. Optional SuperSteer front-wheel-drive axle gives tight turnaround. Optional Sensitrak system automatically engages and disengages four-wheel drive. Sloped hood and curved-boom loaders give better visibility. Estimated retail price for the TC45A (manual transmission) is $21,127; the TC45DA (hydrostatic transmission, SuperSteer, Sensitrak) is $26,890.

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2008 JOHN DEERE 3320 COMPACT 4X4 TRACTOR 300CX LOADER 152 HOURS
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1990 Kubota B2150 Tractor 4X4 HST Snow Plow B2587 Herd Spreader Diesel Compact
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New Holland TC29D Compact Diesel Tractor 7308 Loader 60 Bucket 3pt Hitch
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2007 KUBOTA B7800 COMPACT TRACTOR W LOADER TOOTH BAR THREE POINT WEIGHT HST
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When driving down the rural roads motorists may encounter farm equipment, said Weigel, of the College of Agriculture and human development specialist with the UW Cooperative Extension Service.

Agricultural equipment is becoming bigger. As farms become larger in size and spread out over more area, farmers are spending more time traveling with their tractors and equipment on public roads.

Agricultural equipment on the road can be hazardous to both farmers and motorists, he noted. Most farm equipment usually travels 25 mph or less in areas where the speed limit may be posted at 65 mph. A motorist going 65 mph on the highway approaching farm equipment at 15 mph can be on the equipment’s “back door” in less than five seconds (while traveling more than length of a football field).

“This does not give the motorist much time to react,” said Weigel. “According to the National Safety Council, roadway collisions that involve farm vehicles on U.S. roads total more than 15,000 per year. More than two-thirds of these collisions involve the farm vehicle being hit from behind, but collisions can also occur when the tractor and equipment try to make left turns or by sideswipes.”

More than 90 percent of these collisions occur in the daylight and on dry roads. Usually, when the fatality occurs, the victim is the equipment operator.

Weigel offers the following suggestions:

Be alert

Upon seeing farm equipment, slow down. Even though farmers take safety precautions to ensure their machinery is easily visible, motorists should take the initiative and drive carefully and not assume they are visible to the farmer. If motorists follow too closely behind farm vehicles, they are most likely obscured from the farmer’s view.

Be aware

Farmers use large pieces of equipment. As farms increase in size, so does equipment size, as a rule. Most equipment is larger than the travel lanes, and drivers of vehicles cannot pass safely at fast speeds.

“Stop and let the equipment pass, then continue on your way,” noted Weigel. “Do not assume if the farmer pulls to the right side of the road he or she is going to make a right-hand turn. Due to the size of equipment, the farmer must move to the right before making a wide left turn.”

When meeting farm vehicles at or on a bridge, motorists need to give the farmer enough room to completely exit the bridge before they begin to cross. There is not enough room for both.

Be alive

Be patient, Weigel advised. Farmers will attempt to pull off the side of the road at the first opportunity so motorists can pass. Steep ditches, soft shoulders or wet conditions could cause a farm vehicle to tip over when pulling over to the side to allow drivers to pass. Do not follow too closely so the farmer is unable to see your vehicle or if the farmer has to come to a quick stop.

Remember, farmers are not operating equipment on rural roads to slow you down intentionally.

“Rural road rage can be negated if everyone takes the responsibility to have extra patience, careful driving habits and use high-visibility markings and lighting,” Weigel said. “A collision with a slow-moving vehicle versus a fast-moving vehicle will more than likely be a fatal crash. So remember to be alert, be aware and be alive.”

Wyoming AgrAbility is part of a national program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is focused on promoting independence for members of the agricultural community who have disabilities resulting from injury, illness, aging or other causes.

For more information on safety on the farm or ranch or information on how Wyoming AgrAbility may be able to help, call toll-free (866) 395-4986, e-mail agrability@uwyo.edu or visit www.uwyo.edu/agrability.

Farm Industry News asked Nebraska Tractor Test Lab Director Roger Hoy and Assistant Director Dave Morgan what factors to use to compare the fuel efficiency of different tractors. You can use these parameters to determine how your models rank.

1. Go to http://tractortestlab.unl.edu. Click on “Test Reports.” The Web site shows all makes and models tested at the lab since 1999. (Hard-copy reports for tractors tested before 1999 are available for purchase. Contact Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, Box 830832, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0832, 402/472-2442, tractortestlab@unl.edu.)

2. Click on make and model of tractor. This will bring up the corresponding test report.

3. Check “Chassis: Type” to determine tractor category (2-wd, front wheel assist, 4-wd, or track). This information is included in the narrative text next to the charts on the site. We ranked tractors in two categories: row-crop tractors (2-wd/front wheel assist) and high-horsepower 4-wd/track tractors.

4. Check horsepower to determine size category. We used PTO horsepower (at rated engine speed) to determine if the tractor belonged to the category of row crop (150 to 200 hp) or high-horsepower 4-wd/track (300+ hp). (See lab chart called “Power Takeoff Performance.”) This is the number used by all manufacturers to verify a claim.

5. Find the rating of horsepower-hours per gallon. The fuel consumption measurement, horsepower-hours per gallon (hp-hr./gal.), has become the standard used for comparing the efficiency of all agricultural tractor models. Measured directly, it means that burning one gallon of fuel in the tractor at full load and at rated engine speed produces a certain amount of horsepower for an hour. The higher the number, the greater the fuel efficiency; that is, more work is being done with a given amount of fuel.

We looked at that rating in two performance tests: power takeoff and drawbar performance. We used results from the “PTO Performance Chart” to establish the fuel-efficiency rankings. The lab says the PTO rating is a good indicator because it is one that is calculated for all tractors and it is always run at the maximum level. However, results from the drawbar performance test are also included, and depending on how you plan to use the tractor, it may be a better indicator of fuel efficiency for some tractors — for example, the very-high-horsepower tractors used primarily for their brute pulling power of, say, deep tillage implements. On the other hand, if the tractor is used primarily for PTO work, then the PTO rating will be your best indicator because it will not be likely to change or won't be as much affected by the size or weight of the implement the tractor is pulling. If you use the tractor for both PTO and tillage work, then consider both ratings in your decision.

PTO performance is measured at several different power levels and speeds, but for comparison purposes, the factor most farmers are interested in is maximum power at rated engine speed. This is the highest power level that the tractor can sustain over a long term and is measured in horsepower. Newer tractors usually have an operating range that includes maximum power at a speed lower than rated. Also, with modern high torque/constant power engines, the power at rated PTO speed is usually similar to the power at the rated engine speed.

Like PTO performance, drawbar performance is measured at different rates of pull and in different gears. Power measured at 75% of pull at maximum power is a reasonable reflection of performance during typical heavy fieldwork. At 75% of pull at maximum power, you will still have some reserve for heavy spots in the field. We list the horsepower-hours per gallon in “third gear” (to show maximum drawbar pull) and “eighth gear” (to show maximum power).

Drawbar tests are conducted on concrete or asphalt test tracks, which allow for consistency in comparison. As a result, the numbers in the test reports are not exactly the numbers you might get in field conditions.
The drawbar ratings listed are for “ballasted” runs. If a ballasted test was not run, then results from the unballasted test (at 1,800 rpm or the lowest engine speed) were used.

In cases where ratings are identical (for example, Case IH and New Holland 4-wd tractors), only one of the tractors was tested and the results serve for both because there was no performance difference between the two.

DECATUR – You've been to every Farm Progress Show since you could wear overalls.
Whatever your motivation for going to the Farm Progress Show, a packed day at the Decatur event could include checking out the latest tractors, attending a horse training seminar, picking up landscaping ideas and eating barbecue chicken sandwiches.
"Everybody is familiar with the Chicago Auto Show or the Detroit Auto Show, where the latest (car and truck) models are rolled out. That's what this is for the ag industry," said Matt Jungmann, national show manager for the Farm Progress Cos.
The Farm Progress Show runs Tuesday through Thursday on a sprawling site east of Decatur on and adjacent to Richland Community College. It has been held there every other year since 2005. (On alternate years the show is held in Iowa.)
The Farm Progress Show covers 640 acres on the east side of Decatur near Richland Community College. The show features vendor displays of agriculture equipment, technology, chemicals, seeds and supplies and field demonstrations. By John Dixon
The recession has changed the show's exhibitor list a little (you'll notice fewer or smaller exhibits by Detroit-based companies), but their absence has been more than made up by bigger tents and displays by agricultural giants such as DowAgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Jungmann said.
The Farm Progress company does not give out information on visitor numbers. But marketing specialist Dena Morgan said law enforcement agencies have estimated total crowds over the three days at around 300,000.
It's a big deal.
"It gets better every time we come back to Decatur. Coming back to Decatur is like coming home," Jungmann said.
Last week, members of the media, including The News-Gazette, were given a tour of the site as preparations were under way. As you prepare to attend what some have dubbed the "Super Bowl of Agriculture," here's a list of what's new as well as don't-miss events and attractions at the show.
1. Before you leave home, bring along some canned goods. The United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois, Farm Progress Cos. and Monsanto have organized a food drive. Drop off nonperishable food at the United Way tent near the main entrance gate. For every pound of food donated, Monsanto will donate $1, up to $20,000.
2. Don't forget to bring cash. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for teens 13 to 17 and free for children 12 and under. If you need more money, there's an ATM in the hospitality tent. Pick up your program guide at one of the many Sukup information booths (miniature grain bins) placed throughout the show site.
Also new this year are the huge television screens at the main west entrance, Central Avenue and Sixth Street and the north end of Central Avenue. They'll post event schedules and other information.
3. "Antiques row" is on 12th Street. This is the place to take a look at old tractors and other vintage farm equipment. "It's an interesting way to view the event," Jungmann said. Start here, then move on over a street and you're greeted by the latest in 21st-century agriculture.
4. Speaking of brand-spanking new, equipment manufacturer New Holland is reportedly unveiling something big. Even Jungmann doesn't know what it is, and he said he won't know until it arrives on-site. The company's display is on 10th Street.
5. Other "Big Iron" don't-misses include John Deere and AGCO. Both will be showing off new products, Jungmann said.
6. New this year are the lumberjack shows, which will be held three times a day on the north end of the show site. There will be ax-throwing contests, log rolling and other feats. "It should be a fun and fast-paced event," Morgan said.
7. Has it been a while since you've had a checkup? Have your blood pressure checked at the health and safety tent at 12th Street and Central Avenue. Other health screening will be available there.
8. You can learn about the latest seed technology along 11th Street. See the plants yourself; this year the plots are right behind the tents.
9. Energy grasses such as switchgrass and miscanthus have been growing in a plot on the show site since 2005, but this year there will be a display about the grasses as well as the type of equipment used to harvest the grasses used for fuel. Look for them on 12th Street.
10. Think you know your agriculture? Swing by "Ag Jeopardy" from 11 a.m. to noon daily in the rural life tent.
11. If you went to the 2007 show in Decatur, you probably remember it was a scorcher. On one day the air temperature reached a cool 97 degrees, Jungmann said. Several exhibitors this year, such as Monsanto and Pioneer, will have air-conditioned tents. Show organizers have also erected some shelters throughout the site to provide shelter from the sun.
12. Students from several Illinois schools, including the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and Illinois State University, will compete in a tractor-pull contest at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
13. Colleen Callahan, Illinois director for rural development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will deliver several talks about her department and what kind of grants are available. Some other talks in the seminar tent on Sixth Street include, "Is Ag the New Currency of Choice?" and "Follow the Money."
14. The big entertainment event of the week will be country music singer Darryl Worley's concert. It starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Don't forget your lawn chairs. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show.
15. The show this year is selling Farm Progress Show souvenirs. You can buy scale-model farm equipment, T-shirts and pins at the hospitality tent.

STATE COLLEGE - For three days last week, thousands of people converged on Rock Springs Township near State College to look at the latest in what agriculture has to offer in equipment, technology and farming practices.

Now in its 41st year, Ag Progress Days, held Tuesday through Thursday at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center of Penn State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, attracted an estimated 45,000 people over three days, according to Chuck Gill, news coordinator for the college.

Visitors were given an opportunity to get an up-close view of harvesting equipment, tractors, feeding and watering systems, fencing, feed storage systems, heating systems, livestock trailers, seed and chemical applicators and anything else farmers use for their operations.

The event attracted representatives of seed companies, farm credit and insurance organizations and government agencies, and exhibitors providing information about ag-related issues, such as soil, water and energy conservation, nutrient management, animal breeding and health, nutrition, food safety, community planning, biofuels and the natural gas industry.

Bus and walking tours focused on the research center's work in horticulture, plant pathology, entomology and agronomy.
According to Gill, this year's expo attracted more than 420 vendors, a record for the event.

"We call it the largest outdoor ag expo in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the east," said Gill.

"(The event) showcases the diversity of agriculture and the latest research and technology," Gill said. "It provides (farmers with) one-stop shopping. They can look at equipment, goods and services that will keep their operation running efficiently and profitable.

"It also provides the public with an opportunity to see how their land grant university is using their to dollars to improve their quality of life," he said.

According to Gill, a unique aspect of the expo is the fact that nearby fields are used to demonstrate harvesting equipment on display.
The event, sprawling over 500 of the research center's 1,500 acres, had something for everybody.

"My husband is a farmer. He's talking to different machinery and seed reps," said Shelia Stibrik, of Commodore, as she and her sons Noah, 8, and Joseph, 4, viewed exhibits in the 4-H Youth Building.

New tradeshow to debut
Today's agricultural markets are no longer impacted by small, local factors but by economic, political, and social events happening around the world. As agriculture has evolved into a global and dynamic industry, producers need to be equipped with the best possible information, without boundaries, in order to be competitive.

"Research reveals that producers and other industry professionals really want more substantive discussions with industry leaders and want to learn more about how agriculture around the world will affect their businesses," says Charlie O'Brien, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), vice president, agricultural services. "They want the ability to rub elbows with the owners, product managers, or engineers who can really answer the questions about what s going on with equipment and seed innovations."

To bring the world of ag together, AEM is debuting a new international agriculture event, AG CONNECT Expo. The event will showcase the latest industry innovations, products, and technology, offer information on some of agriculture's most important business management issues, and provide access to leading industry experts worldwide.

The inaugural show, which has a $20 admission fee (increases to $30 after 12/14/09) that includes all three regular show days, is slated for January 13-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (A preview day will be held on January 12, 2010, by special admission.) After the 2011 show, the Expo will be on an every-other-year cycle to better align with other global events.

"Ag is deeply embedded in family and, as good as the show is going to be, we wanted to make sure we chose a venue that the entire family could take advantage of," says O'Brien.

Attendees will have knowledge-sharing opportunities to better evaluate their position in the world marketplace while networking in a global environment and learning how to get a competitive advantage. Industry professionals will gain insights into U.S. and international ag policies as well as management best practices that producers are using around the world.

"This event is designed to provide an extensive networking environment with industry experts worldwide. It will allow producers to build a base of information they can use after the show is over," says O'Brien.

Educational opportunities
Education is a key focus, and the show will be filled with a variety of learning opportunities - from free theater presentations to breakout sessions led by experts in the industry.

"The education piece is an important cornerstone to the event. It will be geared toward information that the attendees can take back to their operations and actually plug in and go," says O'Brien.

In the Innovations Theater, sponsored by Successful Farming magazine, free presentations will include:

• Global Gearheads: Check out the new machinery and equipment from around the world.
• Top 10 Tech Trends: Learn about rapidly changing precision agriculture and equipment.
• Balancing Act: Improve the quality of living for your home, family, and career.
• Top Shops®: Design your dream farm shop to gain greater results.
• Crop Marketing: Get to know the 10 factors driving this year's prices and practices.
• Trading Up: How to value a trade-in as you invest in new equipment.

Sessions with experts will cover renewable energy, technology, farm management, family business management, risk management, high yield, and a plan-for-success workshop. Costs range from $20 to $59.
The gatherings will offer attendees a chance not only to hear from the experts but also to meet with peers in an open forum and to discuss issues that matter most to their operation.

Showgoers will also have the opportunity to see ag in action by touring three of Florida's local operations.

1. Florida's Natural Tour includes a video of Florida's Natural Growers' processing plant and groves, inter-active displays, juice samples, discussion with the company's VP, and a look at their groves.
2. Deseret Ranches Tour is led by a Deseret Ranch employee through pastures, citrus groves, wetlands, and woodlands.
3. Showcase of Citrus Tour is a guided monster truck swamp ride that travels through citrus groves, cattle pastures, and wooded swamps.

The cost of each tour is $30 if you sign up before December 14, 2009.
Show organizers have set ambitious goals for the inaugural 2010 AG CONNECT Expo with 500 exhibitors covering more than 250,000 square feet of exhibit space and an attendance of approximately 20,000 industry professionals.

Whether you're walking the show floor or attending a presentation, the Expo is an investment in the future of your operation that could yield results for years to come. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of a show that promises to bring the world of agriculture together.

PLAINVIEW -- Oh boy, do those guys in the old tractors know how to have a good time.
To practice for the Aug. 15 Tractor Games at Plainview's Corn on the Cob Days, they competed to see who could push a barrel, which was partially filled with water, down Third Avenue Southwest in Plainview. They also competed to see who could drive the slowest and who could maneuver a chain into a square on the pavement. All the while, others laughed, encouraged and laughed some more.

It's all because of a love of those old tractors.

Tractor Games is new to the festival because the Greenwood Prairie Classic Iron Club is new to the area. It formed because those young and old just love those old tractors.

"This is a normal meeting night, as normal as this bunch gets," said Joel Eggenberger of the Plainview Lions who are sponsoring the festival.

The club is dedicated to preserving old tractors, farm equipment, engines, law and garden equipment and construction equipment that helped build America. While it's open to anyone, its members tend to be a bit older. But then, Tom Duden, club president, is 23.
The club has 39 paid members, he said. Leo Sagissor of Lake City came up with the idea and spread the word that there was going to be a meeting to decide if they should form a club, Duden said. The first meeting was in January and temperatures were well below zero, Duden said. Twenty-three people showed up. "That really surprised me," he said.

Duden said he grew up in a town but worked on a farm when he was younger. He was too young to drive a car in town but he could drive a tractor on the farm.

When they practiced the games that will be part of the festival, MacKenzie Schroeder, 8, watched. "Cool," she said of the tractors and antics. "They're cool. I've never seen a tractor push a barrel before."

Besides cool, she also thinks the men are crazy "a little bit." And then she thought about it and said "a lot of bit" crazy. "They're having too much fun," she said.

When it comes to buying used farm equipment you're faced with two main issues:

1. What make/model should I buy?
2. What's it worth?

So you spend time researching, talking with friends, shopping around and narrow things down to the particular make and model that is going to work best for you. Now comes the pressing issue - how much are you be willing to pay for it?
Definitely easy to fixate on this point. No one wants to pay too much. But here is where I think some folks tend to miss the big picture. They focus on the money spent here and now versus future value.
It could seem like I'm splitting hairs here, but I don't think I am. What I mean is this. Every used equipment purchase should be approached with much more than a passing thought in regard to what that piece of equipment will be worth one, two, five, or 10 years from now. So future resale value should be a vital consideration. The perfect used equipment buy results in two things:

1. acquiring a piece of equipment that will do the job for you
2. the opportunity to sell that piece of equipment down the road for what you paid for it or even more than you paid for it

A very smart used equipment guy I've known for two decades calls this the "two-way purchase." He won't buy any piece of used equipment, and I mean any piece of used equipment, unless he feels very strongly that some time down the road he'll be able to sell for more money than he paid for it. "Two-way equipment" - buy it and use it, then make money selling it.
To do this effectively you need two things:

1. good information on historical and current pricing trends.
2. patience and discipline.

When used equipment values have been shooting higher, like they have since mid-2004? Not as many opportunities for those good "two-way buys." Will the used equipment market continue to roar higher? I'm beginning to pick up vibes we could possibly be looking at cooling or even some softening values on used equipment.

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