The 56th annual Iowa Power Farming Show is set for Feb. 1-3, 2011 in downtown Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center and the Polk County Convention Complex. The event will showcase new agricultural equipment and products for farmers. This show is the largest indoor farm equipment exhibition in the Upper Midwest and fourth largest show in the United States.

The Iowa Power Farming Show brings together major machinery manufacturers and exhibitors from around the world, in addition to many short-line manufacturers. "This is the place to see what's new in farm equipment," says Andrew Goodman, president of the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, which owns and manages the show. The association represents over 400 agricultural and outdoor power equipment dealers throughout Iowa and Nebraska. Attendance at the 2010 show was 19,081 people.

You can see $26 million worth of farm machinery on display

You will see over $26 million worth of ag equipment on display. The list includes tractors, skid loaders, sprayers, combines, tillage, planters, hay and forage equipment, seed handling equipment, utility vehicles, landscape and turf equipment, grain trailers, outdoor power equipment and much more. You'll also see corn stoves, precision ag equipment, computer software, etc,

"Farmers who attend this event are serious buyers," says Goodman. "Of course, they also attend just to see what's new in farm machinery and to maintain contacts with sales people, and to visit specific companies and stay informed on products." A survey shows that 59% of all farmer attendees last year planned to purchase equipment over $20,000. The average size of farming operation was 1,162 acres and 58% of the farmers also raise either cattle or hogs. Last year, 87% of all attendees were farm operators.

Total of 6 acres of indoor displays and 620 companies exhibiting

Why do manufacturers go to the show? To get feedback from customers about products, to gather information and to meet their customers face-to-face, he says. There's also an expectation from farmers that a manufacturer will be there.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 3, 2011. There will be a total of 6 acres of indoor displays and 620 companies from 23 states and Canada exhibiting. General admission is $6; children under 14 are free. To get a $3 per ticket discount on admission, go to the www.iowapowershow.com site and click on the tab that indicates discount registration.

On the website you can also find a list of exhibitors, says Goodman, as well as a description of the topics to be covered at the free educational and information seminars, and a schedule for those events each day.