At the downtown Memphis Cook Convention Center, all available indoor space — every square inch —is filled with exhibits, and there are more on the sidewalk outside. They're all awaiting the opening of the big show tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 26.

The show is filled with more than 400 exhibits featuring the latest in machinery, equipment, and products and services needed in today’s agriculture. The two-day event is sponsored by the Southern Cotton Ginners Association and Foundation, with Delta Farm Press as co-sponsor.

You never know who you'll encounter at the show, as this young lady found out when she met a Duck Dynasty TV star.

And there are attractions galore, something for everyone, in the yearly event that is farmer- and family-friendly.

This year’s event will include exhibitors from nearly every state in the U.S. and some international countries. While long-standing exhibitors will be evident at the 64^th annual show, some 50 companies will be new to the 2016 show. Make plans to visit each exhibit to see firsthand the products and services today’s farmers need to be more efficient and profitable.

You can see all of our photos from the 2015 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show here.

Cash prizes: Attendees are eligible to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes that will be awarded daily. Information is available at farmandginshow.com  Many exhibitors will also have prize drawings, so be sure to visit their. exhibits and sign up for a chance to win!

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

Informational and educational seminars will be featured both days of the show. Ag Update seminars will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday in the Convention Center’s lobby meeting room. Friday sessions are::

Saturday morning will feature the perennially popular session on grains:

These young ladies enjoy an ice cream break during last year's Mid-South Farm and Gin Show

 at the show will include:

1:30 p.m. Friday: MID-SOUTH AG FORUM: PROFITABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP TOGETHER — THROUGH TECHNOLOGY, mezzanine level meeting room of the convention center. Speakers will be Dr. Mike Daniels, Environmental Management Specialist, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service; Dr. Bill Robertson, Professor, Cotton Extension Agronomist, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Newport, Ark.; Steve Stevens, Farmer, Desha County, Ark.

11:30 a.m. Saturday: SOUTHERN CORN PRODUCTION SUCCESS — 486 BUSHELS AND COUNTING!  Capturing the Genetic Potential of Today’s Hybrids — Speaker will be Randy Dowdy, Valdosta, Ga. His production strategies focus on maximizing corn yields by minimizing stress that plants experience throughout the growing season. This seminar will cover Understanding Plant Physiology and Components of Yield; Capturing Genetic Yield Potential; Alleviating Inevitable Stress a Plant May Face; Nutrient Uptake; Understanding Timing vs. Availability; and Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone.

Scan this QR code to download the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show mobile app that will give you access to complete information about the show, as well as updates during the two-day event.

1:30 p.m. Saturday: RICE MARKETING EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR — What a Rice Farmer Needs to Know to Prosper. Speaker will be Milo Hamilton, co-founder and senior agricultural economist of Firstgrain, Inc.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Saturday. More information is available at www.farmandginshow.com, where you can pre-register for the show and be eligible to win one of two $1,000 cash prizes. Also, scan the QR code here to download the Farm and Gin Show mobile app, which contains extensive information about the show, including exhibitor lists, convention center maps, things to do, places to eat, as well as updates during both days of the show.