Last year, Eddie Estes was one week from opening the doors of the 3i Show in Kansas ⸺ and COVID-19 hit. The show, which was to celebrate its 66th year, canceled. But this year, it is back with new products and events.

Estes, who is the CEO of the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, says he is ready to meet with 3i Show attendees in person. “I think we all want to get back to seeing each other,” he says.

The Western Kansas Manufacturers Association sponsors the March 18-20 event at the Western State Bank Expo Center in Dodge City, Kan. Estes says farmers and ranchers can meet with exhibitors who will be on-site discussing new products.

Livestock equipment display

Returning to the 3iShow is Blattner Feedlot Construction and Livestock Equipment. The company will demonstrate its 110 and 220 Hydraulic Squeeze Chutes as well as the “Duke” Portable Wheel Corral.

The “Duke” Portable Wheel Corral features a large catch pen on one side and a Bud box, or smaller pen, on the other. A sheeted gate helps direct the flow of cattle down the alleyway, which has two 4-foot cut gates and two palpation-access gates on the end. The heavy-duty framework makes for a durable and long-lasting corral with an adjustable hitch, a 2-5/16-inch ball mount, and one large cylinder on the front to raise and lower the frame.

Blattner’s chutes have a hydraulic head and tailgate with hydraulic squeeze. Ranchers can find them in spaces I-373-378 on the dirt-floor side of the Western State Bank Expo Center.

Irrigation spring cleaning

Rust, algae and mud can cause blockages in irrigation systems. Crop farmers can sit in on a presentation by Dave Nash, owner of Production + Plus Irrigation Well Rejuvenation, and see how a deep-clean can yield results.

Nash guarantees the company’s process will remove blockages and give farmers the maximum available water production without pulling the pump. His presentation, “Irrigation Well Rejuvenation,” will be held at 1 p.m. March 19 in the presentation area. It is free to show attendees.

Buy a bull

Sutphin Cattle Co. of Lamar, Colo., will host the first-ever bull sale at the 3i Show, at 1:30 p.m. March 20 in the Special Events Arena.

Sutphin Cattle Co. started in 1987 with just a handful of high-quality registered cattle, but it bloomed into the sixth-largest bull producer in the U.S., with roughly 2,500 head of registered cattle spread throughout Colorado and Oklahoma.

The sale will feature 30 2-year-old bulls of five different breeds, including Charolais, Red Angus, Angus, SimAngus and Lim-Flex. All bulls have been trichomoniasis- and fertility-tested.

Bulls will be on display all three days of the show. During the live sale, to ensure social distancing, those seated in the stands will be asked to leave two vacant seats between each person from a separate household.

Guns and horseshoes

The expo center will host the first-ever 3i Gun Show. It will be held all three days and consist of gun vendors and private party gun enthusiasts from around the Midwest.

Attendees can visit with dealers who carry a variety of lawful handguns, rifles, shotguns, collectibles, antique weapons, and other related firearms and weapons accessories.

Estes says one event sure to draw a crowd is the horseshoe tournament on March 20.

The Kansas Horseshoe Pitchers Association, a charter member of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, will host a sanctioned tournament at the 3i Show on the dirt-floor side of the Western State Bank Expo Center. Interested participants can contact Jim Newboles at 620-694-9463 to reserve their spot.

Not a seasoned horseshoe pitcher? There is still room to compete. KHPA will host smaller events all three days of the 3i Show. No matter their skill level, attendees can participate in pitch-offs, a small non-sanctioned tournament, and even a dollar pitch ⸺ where whoever has the most points within the hour wins the pot.

Estes says multiple NHPA regulation portable courts will be set up, meaning those not interested in the events can try their hand at pitching.

Know before you go

Estes says that while the event is still on for 2021, health rules and regulations may change.

To ensure visitor and vendor safety, exhibit booths will be spread out to allow for social distancing. During demonstrations, attendees will be asked to stay in the same family group and remain at a safe distance from others.

Like and follow the 3i Show on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date as events and activities are finalized. Individuals can also contact the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association directly at 877-405-2883 or locally at 620-227-8082.