Farmers, ranchers welcome rain at 45th annual farm show

By CECILIA PARSONS

For the Capital Press

TULARE, Calif. -- With water-starved California experiencing one of the driest winters in recent years, the brief opening day storm was welcomed by the farmers and ranchers attending the 45th annual World Ag Expo.

By the time the rain stopped, exhibitors and customers were ready to get down to business.

"It's exciting to be here, to see what agriculture does for all of us," said Manitou Americas president and CEO Dan Miller during opening ceremonies Feb. 15 for the largest ag show in the world.

"This equipment show is the place to be for us. As our company becomes more global it's important to spend time with diverse groups and learn about their needs," Miller said. Manitou, based in France, is a manufacturer of material-handling equipment.

The 2.6 million-square-foot show grounds in Tulare was filled this year as visitors began pouring in the gates the morning of the opening day. Show chairman Patty Colson said the expo had 300 new exhibitors this year and, for the first time in the history of the show, all exhibit space was sold prior to January. There is an added emphasis on livestock and the beef this year with an entire pavilion dedicated to the industry.

Tillage, harvest and packing equipment are always big draws, but past show chairman and Tulare farmer Mark Watte said this year the hot items are solar and engines that keep farmers legal under new air quality rules.

"Anything to do with solar and the Tier 4 and 4A diesel replacement engines is getting attention," Watte said.

The added space for the beef industry was a result of a show survey that revealed visitors were looking for livestock-related equipment and services. Demonstrations of low stress animal handling and cattle dog training drew large crowds.

No longer strictly a showcase for farm equipment, this year's expo features plenty of activities, ranging from a forage competition to launches of new ag-related programs. Highlighting this year is the kick-off of the Ag Warriors program, an effort to provide agriculture training and employment to returning military veterans.

Former President George W. Bush was the special guest and keynote speaker for the event.

An opening night concert by country star Trace Atkins raised money for high school agriculture programs.

The expo's crowds often lure political candidates, and this year was no exception. Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich made an appearance on the grounds Tuesday and spoke briefly about agricultural issues -- including water and high-speed rail -- to a crowd.

Meat and potatoes of the expo is the one-on-one interaction between exhibitors and potential customers.

"This is our big show in the U.S. This is where we generate the most business," said Jordon Ohman of Kello-Bilt Equipment. The Alberta, Canada-based manufacturer of tillage and road-building equipment has been an exhibitor for 15 years. Ohman said they come for the international exposure.

Representatives of 70 countries visit the show each year and many come to buy. Ohman said contacts made at the show have resulted in customers from as far away as Russia and Ethiopia.

Closer to home, Potential Design Inc. of Fresno showcased its pistachio nut dryers. Sales representative Jerry Tjerrild said the equipment has been sold to China, South Africa and Australia due to contacts made at the expo. Nut-drying equipment has been mainly modified corn drying equipment, he said, but his company has moved toward a specialized design for pistachios, a high-value crop that is gaining in production.

Orchard Machine Corp. of Yuba City is one of the original exhibitors when the expo began in 1967 and was known as "the farm show." They still bring something new to the show every year, said sales manager Joe Martinez Jr. This year it's a bank out wagon for nuts -- something that transfers them from the harvesting equipment to the trailer.

It features a driver's seat that swivels 180 degrees to let the operator see both loading and unloading operations.

"This is something our customers asked us to build," said Martinez.