The National Farm Machinery Show, the country’s largest indoor farm show, celebrated its 50th year Feb. 11-14 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The annual show, with 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, features the agricultural industry’s most comprehensive display of equipment, services and technology. More than 850 exhibitors displayed farm equipment this year, with many showing their newest innovations.

Highlights of the newest offerings for 2015

Baling Equipment
John Deere has introduced the 900 Series round balers for producers who bale silage or other forage for feed. “Many beef and dairy producers can save time and money by pre-processing silage and other forage crops when baling and put a denser, higher-quality forage in the bunk,” said Jeremy Unruh, product line manager of baling and mowing products for John Deere. “This is especially true when baling and feeding high-moisture silage. The 900 Series was designed specifically to address these challenges.”

50th National Farm Machinery Show Nearly Breaks All-Time Attendance Record

The Kentucky State Fair Board announced on Feb. 18 that attendance for the 50^th National Farm Machinery Show was up 16,000 from last year, giving the event the second highest attendance total of all time. The Board stated that 310,589 exhibitors and agricultural professionals attended this year’s show.

“For 50 years, the National Farm Machinery Show has always been focused on showcasing the best in agriculture, offering firsthand looks at what’s new and highlighting the economic stakes and challenges within the industry,” said Kentucky State Fair Board President and CEO Clifford Rippetoe. “We want to create a gathering place for our latest technologies and education for the ag industry, and these numbers affirm our place as one of the most important agricultural shows in the nation.”

State Farm Machinery to go National with ‘Odi-Tech’

The MSME Department is set to launch a brand ‘Odi-Tech’ to promote technological and industrial equipment and machinery products manufactured by domestic enterprises of the State.

Agricultural machinery and equipment would be the first product range to be rolled out with the brand name and marketed by Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC). The products include different farm implements and machinery like threshers, winnowers, mowers, cultivators, tractor trolleys, ploughs, weeder, levellers and also storage bins.

Farm Bureau Insight — Can-do attitude

A century ago when this state consisted mainly of farm and ranch families, it was a common sight to see neighbors helping neighbors. They swapped farm machinery. They loaned labor back and forth to work harvest thrashing crews. A barn raising presented another opportunity for friends to help build and support the community.

Since Kansas was settled, farmers and ranchers have supported their communities. They’ve always appreciated main streets that are bright, clean and well maintained. They’ve actively participated in the school system, served on the county planning board, taught Sunday school and worked with other community organizations and activities. Farmers and ranchers have been part of the fabric that has made Kansas the viable state it is today.

Early spring offers best time to prepare farm machinery for planting

Early spring is the optimal time to test and prepare farm equipment and make necessary repairs for a smooth planting season, a Purdue University agricultural machinery specialist says.

Robert Stwalley, assistant clinical professor in agricultural and biological engineering, says tuning equipment now can prevent problems later.
"Instead of wishing for sunnier days and warmer weather, the wise farmer uses the gray and cold times to be ready to hit the fields running when the seasons change," Stwalley said.

Sprinting towards precision

GERMAN machinery makers have always been renowned for precision, and what piece of farm machinery relies on its precision more than an air-seeder?
The Horsch range of tillage products have been available in Australia since last year, with some farmers putting in the 2013 crop with the machines, but the brand may not yet get instant recognition from grain producers across the country.
Jason Lummis, territory manager for Muddy River Agricultural, distributors of the equipment, said that was likely to change.
Speaking at the recent Mallee Machinery Field Days, Mr Lummis said feedback from growers had been excellent.

Web service reveals second-hand kit's past

Farmers buying second-hand tractors can be assured they are not buying stolen kit thanks to a new online service which aims to uncover the hidden history of agricultural machinery.

The Cesar provenance check provides instant information on a machine’s past by identifying any inconsistencies in its identifying data, revealing if it has been stolen or is actually on finance.
Developed by security company Datatag in conjunction with vehicle history-checking company HPI, the service makes use of the existing Cesar scheme - a system which sees tractors, quadbikes and other farm machinery given unique “fingerprints” using high-tech security devices.