Exit procedures reminder

Please review the exhibitor newsletter for exit procedure reminder. Move-out traffic enters at Gate 10 and Gate 16 and exits at Gate 1 and Gate 4. Click here to view map.

All inside exhibitor materials must be removed by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Any items left on the show grounds after the move-out deadline, without permission, will become the property of World Ag Expo.

Exhibitor honored for export achievement

World Ag Expo exhibitor BW Implement was one of two companies recognized at the International Reception on Wednesday.

Joel Seal, owner, received a Congressional Certificate and an Export Achievement Certificate, presented by Glen Roberts, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Centers in Bakersfield and Fresno.

Also recognized was Heart of Nature for their exports to Ecuador and Australia.

Both companies utilized the services of the U.S. Commercial Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce to help them work through the paperwork, meet the regulations of different nations and meet with key people to open doors for their products.

"I encourage exhibitors to work with us to help them broaden their market and successfully export," Roberts said.

For details on the services available, contact Roberts at 661-637-0136; glen.roberts@trade.gov.

Seminar Uploaded to worldagexpo.com

If you were too busy to leave your booth space and missed the array of seminars, you have a second chance. Click here to view 2011 seminars, which will be available throughout the year.

Photos of World Ag Expo 2011 are also available.

Next up at the Agri-Center: Antique show celebrates history

The 18th Annual California Antique Farm Equipment Show, showcasing the agriculture industry's heritage, will be held April 15-17 at the International Agri-Center. This year’s show highlights Holt, Best and Cat.

This show features over 900 exhibitors from throughout California and the United States, displaying their antique tractors, engines and other antique farm equipment. Each year the daily Antique Tractor and Truck Parade draws over 400 entries, and the parade has become one of the highlights of the show.

This family event features a Kiddie Korral and Pedal Pull Tractor Contest, an arts and crafts area, performances by local organizations from karate to dance, a very popular swap meet of tractor parts, a steak barbecue and concert on Saturday night and more.

The annual rib cook-off has also become a hot item during the antique show, as contestants vie for top honors and cash in beef and pork divisions.

“This event has met the original objective – to honor and learn from our past – but it’s also done much more,” noted volunteer Chairman Doug Peltzer. “The antique show is now great, affordable family entertainment, a chance to recognize local youth groups and a fun way to raise funds for the Antique Farm Equipment Museum.”

The California Antique Farm Equipment Show began in 1993, as part of a vision to celebrate the region’s rich agriculture heritage.

Long-time International Agri-Center volunteers George Watte and Robby Soults traveled to Vista, California, to attend an antique farm equipment show. On their journey home, they said, “We oughta have a show like this, we’ve got the place.”

Watte had a few pieces of antique equipment he had been collecting over the years, and a number of other Agri-Center volunteers shared the same passion. Their dream was to host an event featuring antique farm equipment to show today’s generation the equipment of yesterday and give them the opportunity to learn about how farming has changed throughout the years.

Watte served as the chairman for the first two years the California Antique Farm Equipment Show was held. The first show was a huge success, and by the third year, it had tripled in size.

Today, in addition to the annual antique show, the Antique Farm Equipment Museum is open year-round at Heritage Complex on the grounds of the International Agri-Center. The museum, and AgVentures! Learning Center, provide visitors of all ages the chance to learn about agriculture of the past and today. A fundraiser for the museum is held during the Antique Farm Equipment Show each year.

Admission to the California Antique Farm Equipment Show is $8; children under 12 are admitted free of charge.

Attendees: Mark your calendars for 2012 World Ag Expo

Don’t miss the 2012 World Ag Expo, set for Feb. 14-16, under the leadership of Chairman Patty Colson.

There is something new to see and do every year – and with 1,500 exhibitors, 60 seminars and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space – we know you didn’t see it all this year!

Watch worldagexpo.com for updates and your opportunity to register. Register to attend, and enter to win next year’s giveaways!

44th World Ag Expo Earns Rave Reviews

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

The $18,000 in cash prizes was sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition North America.

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.

Putting the ‘world’ in World Ag Expo

The international reputation of World Ag Expo drew 1,132 registered attendees from 63 nations by the end of the day Wednesday, and 50 exhibitors from 13 nations, including China, Turkey, Netherlands, Austria and India.

A farm family from Ghana was enjoying the hospitality of the International Business Center (IBC) on Wednesday, resting after their first tour of the show grounds and planning their strategy for the second tour.

Patriarch of the farming operation, AA Salam Akate, attended World Ag Expo previously, and this time brought his family, partners in the diversified operation. They grow maize and citrus, and have livestock and poultry. They were impressed by the size of ag equipment on display and were enjoying learning how to grow and harvest more efficiently – and hoping to purchase equipment.

A committee of 127 volunteers offers translation services in about 20 different languages and dialects.

Exhibitors are encouraged to visit the IBC to take advantage of the trade lead exchange board and meet prospective international buyers and dealers. The IBC is located on the second floor of Heritage Complex.