Farmers and ranchers can come in out of the cold this winter and peruse new equipment, attend livestock demonstrations or watch a tractor pull at the 2016 Western Farm Show in Kansas City, Mo. The event returns Feb. 26-28 to the American Royal Complex.

Now in its 55^th year, the show will feature more than 500 exhibitors and 400,000 square feet of floor space, all under one roof. Visitors can peruse the latest in farm and ranch equipment, farm structures, crop production products, ag services and much more among aisles and aisles of displays.

SIT IN ON SEMINARS: The Western Farm Show is not all about farm machinery. There are a number of seminars to attend while at the event in Kansas City.

"The Western Farm Show not only introduces farmers and ranchers to our industry's newest products and technologies, but also provides other attractions that are both fun and informative," according to Ken Dean, show manager. "We're very proud to continue that tradition in 2016 as we mark the show's 55th consecutive year."

Here are the Top 6 events to take part in during your visit to the 2016 Western Farm Show.

1.Championship Tractor Pull. Doug Roberts and the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association will bring one of the nation's top indoor tractor pulls to Kemper Arena. The competition is expected to draw 120 drivers and vehicles from the Midwest with $62,000 in prize money at stake. The event takes place Friday and Saturday nights, Feb. 26-27, at Kemper Arena, adjacent to the American Royal.  

2. The Taste of Home Cooking School. This one-hour cooking class starts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Wagstaff Theater. Sponsored by American Family Insurance, it is an entertaining, step-by-step audience participation program, presented by professionally trained culinary specialists demonstrating recipes, cooking techniques, practical kitchen tips and simple plating ideas.

3. The Low-Stress Livestock Handling Demonstration. Sponsored by MFA Incorporated, the demonstrations, led by Ron Gill, Ph.D., Texas AgriLife Extension Specialist, will focus on improving the well-being of beef and dairy cattle, as well as their handlers, through humane animal care. It all starts at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, in the Scott Pavilion adjacent to the American Royal Complex.

4. The Health & Safety Roundup. Featuring interactive and educational health and safety exhibits, including free blood pressure and hearing tests, vision screening, including glaucoma, tetanus shots and, for a nominal fee, cholesterol screening this exhibit is coordinated by the Missouri Farm Bureau.

5. FFA Day. The Western Farm Show expects 3,000 FFA members from Missouri and Kansas to participate in the annual Food Drive "Border War." Collections will be donated to Harvesters Community Food Network, which serves western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Students will learn the winning chapter during FFA Day at the show, Friday, Feb. 26. FFA students also have the opportunity to learn about educational and career opportunities in agriculture to keep farming strong in the future.

6. The Family Living Center. The Western Farm Show once again offers a special area of the show offering clothing, crafts, food, health and home décor products.

The Western Farm Show is owned and managed by the Western Equipment Dealers Association, formerly the SouthWestern Association. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $8 and free for children 12 and under. All attractions are free to show attendees, except for the Championship Tractor Pull, which has a separate admission.

For more information, visit westernfarmshow.com