Search Site   
Current News Stories
Solar eclipse, new moon coming April 8
Mystery illness affecting dairy cattle in Texas Panhandle
Teach others to live sustainably
Gun safety begins early
Hard-cooked eggs recipes great for Easter, anytime
Michigan carrot producers to vote on program continuation
Suggestions to celebrate 50th wedding anniversary
USDA finalizes new ‘Product of the USA’ labeling rule 
U.S. weather outlooks currently favoring early planting season
Weaver Popcorn Hybrids expanding and moving to new facility
Role of women in agriculture changing Hoosier dairy farmer says
   
News Articles
Search News  
   
Second year of AgroExpo, set on one Michigan farm
 
By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent
 
ST. JOHNS, Mich. — Dirt will be flying during the tillage demonstrations at Agro-Expo, which returns for its second year on August 15-16. Hosted by AgroLiquid, the show runs daily from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on the company’s farm at 5605 North Findlay Road in St. Johns, just northwest of last year’s show site.

It features more than 100 vendors, as well as field demonstrations, guest speakers and more.

AgroExpo Event Coordinator Ashley Davis said the change in site brings all of the offerings to one location, so show-goers may visit vendors and participate in field demonstrations (as pictured at right) without having to travel from one farm to another. Tram transportation is available both days to shuttle visitors to and from various events on the farm.

AgroExpo is guided by a panel comprised of a collaboration of growers, agribusiness professionals, representatives of statewide industry organizations, exhibitors and researchers, whose vision is to connect, discover and innovate.

“Our vision is to gather together progressive thinkers and innovators from our industry and allow them the time and space to demonstrate, in the field, how their products and services will benefit farmers,” Davis said. “We know farmers are busy, so we tried to offer everything both days so they can attend and experience everything we have to offer on either day.”

Daily field demonstrations are designed to validate and demonstrate new technologies. Tillage demonstrations begin both days at 9 a.m. in the tillage area and self-propelled forage harvester demonstrations begin daily at 1 p.m. in the silage area.

“Our fields are on-site, so visitors have easy access to them and to the rest of the event,” Davis noted.

The site also boasts more research plots and field experiences for visitors in the outdoor vendor area. In the Ag PhD learning center, visitors will learn about more than fertilizer and feed – they also will see how the entire farm management picture affects crops and how to cope with unexpected problems throughout the growing season.

On August 15, show-goers can learn about how to increase profitability by improving management during a 10 a.m. presentation by Jesse Vollmar of Farm- Logs. Vollmar will explore several ways growers can tap into the latest tools and technologies – everything from weather data and historical crop performance, to satellite imagery and information from sensors on equipment – to maximize the effectiveness of every acre.

A challenge plot panel begins that day at noon, and will explore how to get the best return on investment for your fertilizer dollars. The AgroExpo challenge plots were designed to put participants’ skills to work to produce the best return
on fertilizer investments.

Competitors will be on-hand to answer questions and explain their rationale for the crop nutrient decisions they made. There are multiple programs, application differences and timing comparisons.

Challenge plot teams include Dr. Jerry Wilhm and Burt Henry, Stephanie Zelinko and Austin Benes, Tim Duckert and Bob Baxter, Jeff Brown and Aaron Stahl, Reid Abbott and Rob Marquardt, JW Lemons and Ashley Stickler, John Leif and Stuart Schilling, Nick Bancroft and Kurt Fisher and Galynn Beer and Dan Peterson.

At 2 p.m., Nick Rice of Carbon Green Bioenergy will discuss the creation of fuel feed, while examining the benefits and value renewable fuel adds to corn produced on Michigan farms.

Visitors on August 16 can learn more about how to manage soybean disease to protect yield during a 10 a.m. presentation by Michigan State University assistant professor Dr. Marty Chilvers. He will offer suggestions to manage diseases to protect yield, based on his extensive research projects supported by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee.

His expertise includes the use of fungicide treatments, changes in phytophthora issues, sudden death syndrome control options and efforts to “outsmart” white mold.

Sirius Radio’s “Ag PhD” radio show will be aired live from AgroExpo beginning at 3 p.m. August 16. Brothers Brian and Darren Hefty co-host the show, which has aired every week for more than 18 years.

AgroExpo visitors will experience a live production of the popular show, during which the Heftys answer questions, talk to guests during Back 40 time, feature a pest of the day, have an Ag PhD mailbag segment and talk about how to raise better and more profitable crops.

Food and beverages may be purchased both days from a variety of on-site vendors. Visit www.theagroexpo.com for more information about the show.
8/10/2017