Exhibitors awash in sales, the first-ever FFA Assembly, huge crowds and sunny skies created a memorable 44th edition of World Ag Expo.The sunshine and the reputation of World Ag Expo drew a sea of attendees to opening day – and the good news is that they were looking to buy.
OXBO International’s Brent Borboa said the week is “off to a good start” on opening day, with “the right people here today – the decision-makers.” He is finding a lot of interest in his product, and “more optimism” this year.
Mike Caruso, with Top-10 New Product winner AMSOIL, called the show “awesome.”
First-time exhibitor Johnny Georges of Tree T Pee had to retreat to his rental car just to get some rest from the flood of buyers and interested distributors. He has been “overwhelmed” by the interest from distributors and a “continuing flow” of buyers interested in his citrus product.
The sunshine apparently had attendees thinking about summer recreation, as the Etco Marine display was abuzz with activity. Owner Chad Borba said he already had an offer on a boat from an out-of-state buyer.
First-time exhibitor Cirrus Aircraft brought a full-sized mockup of their personal aircraft and by the close of the second day already had a buyer. The aircraft sell for about half a million dollars.
Attendee and Forage Challenge award winner Kelly Callahan, of Royal City, Wash., has been to World Ag Expo for the past 12 years. He and his family farm 3,000 acres, operate a 1,500-cow dairy, raise apples, operate a gravel pit and a construction company and have a well-drilling enterprise. To equip those businesses, the family “spends about a quarter of a million dollars” on equipment in the year after World Ag Expo.
“We do all our research here, and then go back home and buy,” Callahan said. “Our equipment needs are so diverse we really have to see the whole show.”
World Ag Expo is all about business and education – with some fun thrown in for good measure. This year’s edition featured a two-night concert series, an FFA Assembly for more than 2,000 students and a flash mob dance on Median Street, as well as cooking demonstrations and fashion shows at the World Ag Women Pavilion.
“One of the things that makes World Ag Expo unique is the diversity of exhibits, the diversity of attendees and the quality of the attendees,” noted 2011 Chairman Lee Coito. “From rice to citrus, dairy to agrichemicals, our exhibitors show it all, along with some surprises like personal aircraft. And the beauty of it is, exhibitors of all types find success here.”
The competition in the Forage Challenge, sponsored by Mycogen Seeds, gets tougher every year, as the word spreads and more farmers enter. The first-place winners this year are:
- Alfalfa hay, Lazy 2K Livestock, Kellie Hinman, Wheatland, NY
- Corn silage, Royal Turf Farms, Kelly Callahan, Royal City, WA
- Brown mid-rib corn silage, Tony Borba Dairy, Escalon, CA
World Ag Expo celebrates its 45th anniversary Feb. 14-16, 2012, under the leadership of volunteer Chairman Patti Colson. For details and information, visit worldagexpo.com.
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