In about seven weeks, the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tenn., will be bustling with thousands of farmers and others from around the nation who’ve come for the 59th annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show.

The South’s largest indoor farm show, scheduled for Feb. 25-26, will feature more than 400 domestic and international interactive exhibits from some of the industry’s largest and most progressive companies.

“Our show is where it all comes together: Not only is it a venue for introducing new products and services, it serves as a forum for conveying important information about potential challenges for farmers and others in the industry,” says Tim Price, show manager, and executive vice president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association, which sponsors the event, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor.

 “We are expecting a bumper crop of new products and services at the show, and farmers and everyone in the ag community are encouraged to attend to see to see the latest technology, products, and service to help them more efficiently and effectively produce and market their crops.

“The show provides an opportunity for farmers to have one-on-one face time with key industry representatives, Extension and research specialists, and commodity sector experts, as well as interacting with fellow farmers — and when you mix all that together, you get a unique incubator of shared experiences and ideas.”

Price says the show “spotlights what some of the largest companies, and regional companies, involved in agriculture do, and also reflects the response of users. It is fascinating that this is a very long-running show — now almost six decades — and a key reason for its continuing success is because we always have cutting edge new exhibits. New technology very often makes its debut at our show.

“Beyond that, what you see is a show where farm families come together and talk, explore different exhibits, and attend educational interactive sessions and seminars; the show becomes an incubator for new ideas for agriculture.”

In addition to getting an up-close look at new products and services, attendees also have an opportunity to gain valuable insight on industry issues, through the educational Ag Update seminars, held each morning of the show. Industry experts participating include Carl Brothers, Riceland Foods, and Joe Nicosia, Allenberg Cotton, who will headline the Ag Update seminar Friday, Feb. 25. Richard Brock, Brock Associates, will provide his perennially popular grain marketing outlook and recommendations at the Ag Update Saturday, Feb. 26. Both sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby meeting room.

A key feature of the show, Price notes, are educational seminars focusing on specific farming issues. “For this year’s show, we’re having a follow-up seminar on weed resistance and invasive species, which continues to be a huge issue. What we have seen happen with major problems confronting farmers is that companies step up and create new products and new services to address an issue. For example, we’ve seen an increase in specialized tillage equipment, as well as a great response from the agribusiness sector.”

New to this year’s show will be Brian and Darren Hefty, whose “Ag PhD” television program is shown on RFD-TV. They will provide information and updates at a session scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25.

“Ag PhD provides a variety of information, ranging from recommendations on ways to maximize fertilizer strategies and tillage, to dealing with yield-robbing insects and crop diseases,” Price says. “It also provides weekly segments including Farm Basics, Iron Talk, and Weed of the Week.” Ag PhD will be at the show courtesy of FarmLogic. More information about the program is available at http://www.agphd.com.

The Southern Cotton Ginners Association and its member associations will be also holding their annual meetings and other events during the week. A complete schedule for the show and associated events will be published in the official program, which will be mailed with Delta Farm Press just prior to the show.

Hours for the show are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. For additional information, contact Price at (901) 947-3104 or visit the official show website at www.farmandginshow.com.