You may come to the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show for a chance to win a Labrador puppy … or for mouth-watering Corky’s barbecue … or you may attend for a chance at one of several cash prizes … or still, you may be one of approximately 20,000 attendees at the South’s premier farm show because it’s a once-a-year opportunity you get to connect with friends and family you may not otherwise see.

“Whatever your reason for attending,” says Tim Price, show manager, “we’re looking forward to seeing you — and there will be a lot going on March 2-3 at the downtown Cook Convention Center in Memphis.”

The show is sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor.

Ag Update seminars

Friday, March 2, Lobby Meeting Room— Chuck Coley, Vienna, Ga., president, National Cotton Council; Carl Brothers, Riceland Foods; and Joe Nicosia, Allenberg Cotton, will provide opening comments and a market outlook and update for wheat, rice and cotton.  Coley, elected at the National Cotton Council meeting in January, will provide opening comments and an update on issues important to the Cotton Council and the industry. Brothers will cover the market outlook for rice and wheat; Nicosia will provide insight on the cotton market.

Saturday, March 3, Lobby Meeting Room — Richard Brock, Brock Associates, will provide a grain marketing outlook and recommendations. “His unique perspective, combined with a healthy dose of humor, brings standing room only crowds,” Price says. “You’ll want to make sure you’re on hand for the latest marketing information for 2012, as well as a chance to win a $500 cash prize (you must be present to win).”

The show opens daily at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Friday and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. More than 400 exhibitors attract approximately 20,000 attendees from nearly every state in the nation and several international countries.

“Whether you’re in the market for new machinery (the first onboard cotton module builders were unveiled at this show), or seeking advice and input from industry experts, this show provides attendees a first look at what’s new and innovative,” Price says.

Advance registration

Online registration is now open for the show!

“Registering to attend the show has never been easier, thanks to a new online registration process being implemented at the show this year,” Price says. “Go to the show website — www.farmandginshow.com— and click on the Attendee Registration button. Complete and submit the form, print out your confirmation code and bring it to the show. Your name badge will be printed on site and you’re ready to see the show!”

As always, admission to the show is free, but a badge is required for entry into exhibit areas.

There will be a lot going on before the show begins, Price says, including the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation annual meeting and honors banquet, set for March 1 at the Peabody Hotel.

The annual meeting is held the day before the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show opens for members of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation, and others interested in the activities of the organizations.

The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. March 1 in the Venetian Room of the Peabody and will include Lee Tiller, president, National Cotton Ginners Association;  Dr. Richard Byler, research leader, USDA Cotton Ginning Research Unit, Stoneville, Miss.;  Dr. Matthew Fannin, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the Louisiana State University AgCenter;  Greg Gillard, general manager for Olam Cotton’s California Division; and Dr. Thomas Valco, cotton technology transfer and education coordinator in the Office of Technology Transfer, at the Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center at Stoneville, Miss.

The Southern Cotton Ginners Association Honors Banquet will be held the evening of March 1 at the Peabody and will honor the association’s Ginner of the Year and memorial scholarship winner.

The featured speaker will be Rep. Stephen Fincher, Republican congressman representing Tennessee’s eighth congressional district, elected in 2010. Fincher is managing partner in Fincher Farms, a west Tennessee-based business growing cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, and serves on the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee as well as the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.