Farmers check out latest trends, equipment at Peoria farm show [Journal Star, Peoria, Ill.]

Nov. 30--PEORIA -- Delavan farmer Mike Hoeft said he comes to the Greater Peoria Farm Show not only to get a line on what's happening in agriculture, but to meet friends.

Farmers and their friends convened Tuesday at the Peoria Civic Center for the 30th annual farm show. The free show, with its 950 booths representing 300 companies, will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

"There's so much technology these days," Hoeft said. "It's good to have the opportunity to see the latest developments in this industry."

That technology is evident as one moves through the Civic Center. Along with the perennial displays of field equipment and seed dealers, there are software companies and ag information specialists.

Water Street Solutions, a farm management firm based in Peoria that now employs 85 people, was on hand to help farmers in a number of areas, said Steve Jackson, who specializes in crop insurance issues.

"Farming is more complicated than ever these days," Jackson said. "People don't realize it, but it's a very competitive business where the margins are very thin. We try to help farmers make decisions."

In addition to talking with present and prospective clients, the Water Street group used the farm show to spread the word about a series of seminars planned for this winter (the Peoria seminar is Jan. 12) and a scholarship program that will provide five $1,600 awards for the 2012 school year.

At the Pfister seed booth, district sales manager Brad Stockstill said supplies of seed corn were a little tighter than usual this winter. He estimated about 50 percent of farmers already have ordered seed for next season.

"The other 50 percent are still in play," Stockstill said. "A lot (of farmers) will be ordering between now and January."

Matt Montgomery, University of Illinois educator for Peoria, Tazewell, Mason and Fulton counties, said he planned to use this year's farm show to visit with some of the people he talks with throughout the year.

"Personal contact is a good thing," Montgomery said. "There's a lot of value in being able to interact. Farmers are always busy people, but this is a good time for them to get out and see others."

At the Case IH area, tractor specialist Tony McClelland said the huge equipment on display isn't likely to be purchased right off the showroom floor.

"Farmers get information now for a purchase they may make this year or maybe next year," he said.

Making their last appearance at the Peoria farm show were Mary Ruth Lowry, administrative librarian of the Ayer Public Library in Delavan, and Vicky Dierker, executive director of the Mackinaw District Library.

"This is our last year giving away free books," said Lowry, citing shrinking budgets as the reason the rural library group has to discontinue its promotion of family literacy it has pursued for the past four years at the Peoria farm show.

If you go: Greater Peoria Farm Show

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday

Where: Peoria Civic Center

What: 950 booths representing more than 300 companies

Cost: Free

Steve Tarter can be reached at 686-3260 or [email protected].

___

(c)2011 the Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.)

Visit the Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.) at www.PJStar.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services