The annual 3i Show kicks off Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Western Bank Expo show grounds in Dodge City.

During the show, there will be a variety of demonstrations and educational seminars that will offer something new to see or learn for almost any show attendee.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. on opening day, world champion calf roper and founder of the world’s first “Cowboy Church,” Jeff Copenhaver, will perform a live roping demonstration in the Special Events Arena.

Cody Stromberg and the Dodge City Community College Rodeo Team will assist Jeff with this clinic, demonstrating basic roping horsemanship and how to build a catch loop as well as tie-down groundwork. Copenhaver will discuss with attendees how to create a plan that works for their specific dream and how rodeo principles can be applied to everyday life.

As founder of the world’s first “Cowboy Church,” Copenhaver has been sharing the good news of the gospel for over 28 years. Established in the Fort Worth Stockyards at Billy Bob’s Texas in the bull riding arena back in 1986, he has launched out to teach the lessons of God by reaching the western world, rodeo world, and beyond. For more information on Jeff Copenhaver, visit jeffcopenhaver.com.

What’s up with the weather?
Will it ever rain again? That’s a question on everybody’s mind. You can get an update on Kansas weather and the effort to predict what’s coming next when the National Weather Service presents “Weather and Climate” on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the 3i Show. The seminar is free and will be held in the presentation area, located in the southwest corner of the concrete side of the Western State Bank Expo Center.

Jeff Hutton, warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS office in Dodge City, will be leading the discussion on extremes in weather that have occurred in the last 18 months. Hutton will go into greater detail on the high variability of weather Kansans have lived with on the high plains as well as the current weather conditions.

Discussion will be held regarding the difficulties in forecasting weather into extended periods; weekly, monthly and seasonally. Hutton will conclude with an outlook going into the growing season.

Hutton received a bachelor of science in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 and began his professional career in weather during the same year working for a private firm in Oklahoma City. As the warning coordination meteorologist, Hutton actively works with city, county and state officials in promoting weather awareness and safety. For more information on the National Weather Service, visit weather.gov/ddc/.

Learn about natural gas irrigation
Black Hills Energy will present a seminar titled “Improving Profitability with Natural Gas Irrigation and Technology” at 3 p.m. on Thursday in the presentation area of the Western State Bank Expo Center.

The presentation will include CropMetrics and VNA Corp. Presenters will include Todd King, Black Hills Energy key account representative and natural gas irrigation expert; Kylen Hunt, chief sales officer with CropMetrics; and Greg Northrup, VNA president and renewable energy expert.

Attendees will learn about the value of natural gas irrigation, such as a dual fuel kit overview and how it allows the use of an existing diesel engine on a blend of diesel and natural gas. Excellent tune up tips will be shared to help get irrigation engines running for the upcoming irrigation season. The benefits of precision irrigation management will be discussed as well, including how they offer a full-service variable rate irrigation program that can help cut input costs and increase production, all while fostering water conservation efforts. Finally, an explanation will be given on how RNG is produced from cellulosic-based crop residues and qualifies for D3 RINs if used as transportation fuel as part the Renewable Fuel Standard Program administered by EPA. This is the same program that allowed for the creation of the ethanol industry. Their novel process, technology and commitment to research and development provides a distinct competitive advantage, both now and looking into the future, utilizing two of the most widely available agricultural residues.

Learn how to protect assets, pay less in taxes
Author and senior adviser Larry Oxenham will deliver a lecture, “How Farmers & Producers Can Become Invincible to Lawsuits and Save Thousands in Taxes,” on Friday at 10 a.m. during the 3i Show. The presentation is free and open to anyone attending the show, which opens Thursday and runs through Saturday.

Oxenham will cover many topics during his lecture, such as the strategies and tools the nation's top law firms use to save their clients millions of dollars each year. This lecture provides solutions to three major problems: lawsuits, taxes and probate. Oxenham will offer information on how to structure business for lawsuit protection and prevention, reduce liability insurance costs, minimize taxes, and create successful estate and business succession plans.

Oxenham is the author of several books, including" Protect Your Assets" and "The Asset Protection Bible." He has spent over two decades as a senior adviser with clients in all fifty states. His career has been credited with helping thousands of clients save millions of dollars. Oxenham is a nationally recognized speaker who has trained thousands of professionals at hundreds of conventions, conferences and seminars across the country

Get updates on the 2018 Farm Bill, trade

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., will present a farm bill and trade update at 1 p.m. Friday at the 3i Show.

“I look forward to returning to Dodge City to speak with fellow Kansans about progress being made on the upcoming farm bill and related issues." Marshall says. "Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Big First, and I am proud to be your representation in Washington, D.C."

Learn now mobile drip irrigation works
Western Kansas Manufacturers Association, with the help of Monty Teeter, CEO of Dragon-Line, is offering a seminar on mobile drip irrigation. “How to Save Water and Money with Drip Line Technology” will be presented at 3 p.m. Friday in the marked presentation area. The presentation is free and open to anyone attending the 3i Show.

Teeter will discuss water savings as a major benefit of pivot irrigation through drip technology. Other benefits include reducing or eliminating wheel track issues, allowing possible winter watering without ice accumulation on pivot, eliminating leaf burn and plant shock from sudden temperature changes, and more. The benefits will continue to emerge as drip irrigation is used in diverse production areas. Teeter will speak on how Dragon-Line has transformed pivot irrigation through drip technology. Attendees are invited to their exhibit space I-202 for more information.

Teeter is a lifelong resident of the Southwest Kansas area. Teeter has been a distributor, designer, and installer of center pivots for over 40 years, and has 20 years' experience in subsurface drip irrigation. This experience of selling more than 3,500 pivots and hundreds of acres of SDI has allowed Teeter to become proficient in understanding the technologies and benefits of both irrigation applications.

Take the Apache AS630 for a spin
Here’s your chance to test drive the all-new Apache AS630 sprayer. Simpson Farm Enterprises will be displaying the Apache AS630 in their outside booth spaces O-55-59 at the Western State Bank Expo Center during the 3i Show.

Demonstrations are free and will be held on demand during the run of the show Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Dodge City.

The Apache AS630 is the most affordable self-propelled sprayer in the industry. Its compact and lightweight design is built for the farmer looking to upgrade to a self-propelled sprayer, or the larger producer looking for an agile extra sprayer. Weighing in at 16,900 pounds, the AS630 offers better fuel economy, reduced compaction and a lower price. This model features a 4-speed JCB power shifting transmission with a road speed of 32 m.p.h., a powerful 163 HP Cummins engine and 650-gallon tank capacity. Depending on tire selection, it has a crop clearance of 42 or 48 inches.

Simpson Farm Enterprises is the sprayer destination in western Kansas, offering sales, service, parts, and chemicals to get the job done. They carry Apache Sprayers, GVM Mako Sprayers, Miller Sprayers, New Holland Guardian Sprayers, No-Till Drills, Pickup Sprayers, Simpson Pull-Type Sprayers and Nurse Trailers. Simpson can help fulfill all agricultural spraying needs at any of their five store locations, including Ransom, Kan., Hays, Kan., Great Bend, Kan., Beloit, Kan., and now Grand Island, Neb.

See how the Landoll 7500 Series works
Landoll Corporation will be offering demonstrations on demand throughout the 3i Show. Landoll will be demonstrating their 7500 Series Vertical Tillage Plus with adjustable gangs at their booth spaces I-383 through 386 located on the dirt floor side of the Western State Bank Expo Center in Dodge City. These demonstrations are free for all attending the 3i SHOW.

The new 7500 Series VT Plus can adapt to changing field environments and be used in a variety of residue conditions. The adjustable gang feature allows the operator to change the disc gangs anywhere between 5 and 15 degrees on the go from the tractor cab. Landoll factory and sales reps will be on hand to demonstrate the adjustments and answer questions.