Farmers and ranchers are big users of lubricants for their equipment; however, it was a different oil widely applied for the opening of the 46th World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., Tuesday.

Sunscreen was liberally spread as blue skies, bright sun and afternoon temperatures in the 60s bathed a big crowd for opening day at the International Agri-Center.

(See related: Photo gallery: Agriculture industry, farmers, families at World Ag Expo)

Snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks framed the Expo grounds as parking lots filled quickly in the morning. Show officials were obviously pleased with the turnout of visitors prowling the 2.6 million square feet of exhibit.

More than 1,400 exhibitors are shoe-horned into 2,000 indoor and outdoor exhibit spaces.

Exhibitors like Steve White of Tualatin, Ore., regional sales manager for Jacto Incorporated, was pleased with the turnout as he exhibited a line of small sprayers for the first time at the show. “We are here to test the market for our line of sprayers for the small farmer,” he says. “The turnout is great.”

Ron Blessing, Western Region tractor manager, was excited about unveiling the Case IH Steiger Quadtrac Rowtrac at World Ag Expo.

“Case IH extends its track technology leadership with the new Steiger Rowtrac, proving again that four tracks are superior to two in row-crop applications,” says Blessing.

The Steiger Rowtrac will be one of the highest horsepower, tracked row-crop tractors in the market fitted to handle 20, 22, 30 and 40-inch row-crop spacings.

The Expo continues through Wednesday and Thursday. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. on Thursday. Clear skies and warming temperatures are forecast for the remainder of the week.