The 25th annual Farm Progress Hay Expo, the nation's largest two-day hay event, will be held June 8 and 9 at the Hernke's Inc. farms, located south of Cannon Falls, Minn. This is the first time the show has been held in the state.

Minnesota ranks in hay and alfalfa production
The Minnesota Agricultural Statistics reports that Minnesota ranks 10th nationally in all-hay production and fifth for alfalfa production, making this year's show location ideal for its silver anniversary celebration.

Hernke family farm operation
The Hernke family is hosting this year's Hay Expo and is looking forward to the upcoming show. The Hernkes farm 2,000 acres, milk 650 cows, transport dairy creamery products and operate a rock quarry as part of their diversified operation. They raise alfalfa, corn, corn silage, soybeans, sweet corn and peas.

Dairy has always been the farm’s main enterprise, and accordingly, high-quality alfalfa hay, haylage and corn silage productions falls next in line. The Hernkes raise 500 acres of alfalfa in a three-year rotation. This dedication to the dairy industry and the importance of producing a quality product make the Hernke farms an ideal setting the Hay Expo.

Lineup of exhibits and demonstrations
The Hernkes have set aside 150 acres for the Hay Expo show site. Sections of fields will be used for mowing, conditioning, baling and chopping equipment demonstrations. A 10-acre exhibit site will display balers, choppers, mower-conditioners, tedders, baggers, rakes, telehandlers, bale stackers, hay dryers and more. In addition to the outdoor lots, the Haying Industries Tent will feature other products and services. Exhibitors' product specialists will be on hand to discuss forage seed, hay marketing, crop protection and production, conservation and crop insurance.

"Southeast Minnesota has proven to be an ideal location for the Hay Expo, and this year's location is well-situated for field and equipment demonstrations," said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. "This location is convenient for producers driving from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois to attend this year’s event. We're very pleased to be working with the Hernkes, and we look forward to hosting hay and dairy producers from around the country."

Don't miss this year's show
The 2011 Farm Progress Hay Expo will be held June 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show site is located off of Highway 52 at the intersection of Goodhue County 9 and Goodhue County 1, south of Cannon Falls, Minn., at the farms of Hernke's Inc. Admission is free; parking is $10 per vehicle. Detailed directions and GPS coordinates for the show site are available at www.HayExpo.com. The public is welcome.

For a schedule of events and more information, visit www.HayExpo.com or call 866-264-7469.