Farm Progress

National Farm Machinery show promises something for everyone

Equipment debuts, tractor pulling, shopping and learning sessions are all part of this year's National Farm Machinery Show.

Kristy Foster Seachrist, Digital editor

February 10, 2017

3 Min Read

Tractor pulls, machinery and learning sessions to help you get the most out of your operations are all part of the National Farm Machinery Show. It is set to begin Feb. 15 and runs through Feb. 18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.

Equipment manufacturers and agriculture suppliers  such as AGCO, John Deere,  HORSCH,  Thunder Creek,  AeroVironment and others will debut their newest products and show attendees how they can impact their operations.

Panel discussion 

AEM and its Infrastructure Vision 2050 initiative will host an Executive Ag Infrastructure Panel Discussion at National Farm Machinery Show 2017 to discuss the principal challenges and opportunities facing United States rural infrastructure and the impact on the agriculture sector. Panelists will also address ways the agriculture market can drive infrastructure innovation and adapt to shifts in technology, demographics, and consumer demands. The program will feature keynote remarks from Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Ryan Quarles.

The panel discussion set for Feb. 15 will be moderated by Max Armstrong, co-host of the national farm television show, This Week in Agribusiness, and includes CLAAS Global Sales America President Leif Magnusson, Vermeer Corporation President and CEO Jason Andringa, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, and Indiana University Senior Policy Analyst Jamie Palmer.

Once the sun sets, the ear plugs will come out and the tractor pulling will begin.  More than 70,000 fans will flood Freedom Hall for the super-charged Championship Tractor. The pulling event draws the nation’s top drivers as they compete for the title of Grand Champion and a share of over $200,000 in prize money.

In fact, competitors are not restricted to the U.S. Rowan Zeinstra will travel from the Netherlands to hit the track, putting his 8,000 pound tractor to the test.

The year 2017 promises to be one for the history books, with the number of women competitors hitting an all-time high. The 2016 Grand Champion Mendi Nelson, the second woman to win the title, will return with her truck Lil’ Whip. Her goal? To become the first woman with back-to-back national championships.

Ever wondered what makes those tractors roar?

Show attendees can get a close up look before pullers roar down the lane by visiting “The Pit” in Broadbent Arena. Visitors can meet drivers, get autographs and take photos. The admissions is free and open to the public Wednesday through Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.- 11 a.m.

Tickets for the Championship Tractor Pull are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Event times and prices vary by day:

Wednesday, Feb. 15 7 p.m. $20 and $40

Thursday, Feb. 16 7 p.m. $20 and $40

Friday, Feb. 17 7:30 p.m. $25 and $45

Saturday, Feb. 18 1 p.m. $20 and $40

7:30 p.m. $25 and $45.

Shopping

In addition to the rubber burning and the motors roaring, there will also be a gift and craft market during the NFMS.  The event will include nearly 80 booths offer everything from farm toys to fashion, sunglasses to sausages, antiques to art, and cowboy boots to books.

One thing is clear, the nation’s largest indoor farm show will offer something for everyone.

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