Market volatility and change appear to have become mainstays in the agriculture industry. While it’s been over 10 years since the first economic collapse of the 21^st Century, recent trade tensions and extreme market fluctuations have significantly impacted farm exports, farm income, and how farmers plan for the future, says Tim Price, manager of the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.

“Whether you say change and volatility, or volatility and change, we have become accustomed to both, and there’s no reason to think they will fade from our vocabulary anytime soon,” he says.

The uncertainty of several components of agriculture — trade, financial policy, and the new farm bill — are specific reasons farmers will want to attend the 2019 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show, scheduled for March 1-2 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tenn.

“We are already a full show in terms of exhibitors who have been accepted,” Price says. “This is one of the first big farm shows of the season, and companies want to be in front of farmers as they finalize their plans for the 2019 crop year.” Weather-related harvest issues in late 2018 pushed back some farmer decisions into the current time period, making the 67^th show an optimal time for interaction between farmers and companies with products and services needed for the coming crop year.

Sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation and Delta Farm Press, the South’s largest indoor farm show will include some 400 exhibitors. In addition to seeing the latest innovations in machinery, equipment, and crop genetics, farmers will have face-to-face access to industry experts who can provide valuable information they can use to enhance their profitability.

“Ongoing change — on the farm, in the markets, in the global environment — means farmers seek interaction with those individuals who have the knowledge about the products and services they need to be productive and profitable,” Price says. “Add to that the invaluable interaction that occurs between farmers, and the Mid-South Farm and Gin show becomes the can’t-miss event of early 2019.”

Seminars

Informational Ag Update education seminars will be held Friday, March 1, and Saturday, March 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m. These sessions will feature outlooks for grain and cotton, and comments from cotton industry officials. The seminars will provide information to address key industry issues.

“What will acreage look like for the major Mid-South crops? We’re seeing the details of a new farm bill, signed in late 2018. What will the resulting impact be on agriculture? Will we have movement in trade with China and other partners? What will be the impact on agriculture of the new Congress? All of these will be key topics at the 2019 Mid-South Farm and Gin show,” Price says.

Thousands of domestic and international decision-makers are expected at the annual show. Admission is free, but registration is required to visit the show areas. Online registration is open at http://www.farmandginshow.com/.

Click on “attendee registration” and follow the prompts. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, March 1, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2. Download the show app, which will be available in app stores soon. “The app will have loads of information about the show, including maps for exhibitors, seminar schedules, speaker bios, and more,” Price says. “Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of all the app has to offer.”

For additional information, contact Price at (901) 947.3104 or visit the official show website at http://www.farmandginshow.com/.

Source: Southern Cotton Ginners Assn., which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.