GIFFORD, Ill. — When the 18th annual Midwest Ag Expo gets under way next week, exhibitors can expect to engage a well-researched group of producers, the show’s manager predicts.

“More so than ever before, ag producers are really doing their homework,” said Gary Manke, expo manager with the Madison, Wis.-based Midwest Equipment Dealers Assoc. “When they get to the show, they’ll know exactly who they’ll want to talk to, what questions they’ll have, and they will be ready to whatever business they need to transact. We saw this last year, especially, when producers will target specific exhibitors and head right to them.”

Nearly 200 exhibitors will set up in one of the finest exhibition spots in the Midwest at Gordyville USA, home to the Gordon Hannagan Auction Co. in central Illinois.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a better host than what we’ve had there,” Manke said. “Everything you’d want is right there, under roof, and the success we’ve had in the past is due in part to the wonderful facilities.”

Turnout last year topped 10,000 during the two-day show and a similar crowd is expected this year. In addition to some of the largest equipment dealers in the Midwest, visitors can expect to find one of the largest antique tractor collections on display and participate in a detailed discussion regarding commodity prices and factors that will impact them in the near future.

“Our commodities panel last year was a big hit, so we absolutely knew we’d want to stage that again,” Manke said.

Small-town Gifford is about 20 miles northeast of Champaign and about five miles east of Rantoul along Route 136. The mid-week show this year will run from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Jan. 25 and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 26.

Parking and admission to the expo are free. Full food and beverage servers also will be available.

Gordon “Gordy” Hannagan and his wife, Jan., started building Gordyville USA in 1986 to conduct his own large-scale horse sales, estate auctions and other events. The Hannagan family maintains more than 160,000 square feet of space under roof, nearly the size of about 3.5 football fields.

The site is located east of Rantoul at Route 136 East, Gifford, IL 61847. To reach the business, call 217-568-7117 or email auctions@gordyvilleusa.com

Anyone with questions about the expo may reach Manke or his assistant, Julie Roisum, at 608-240-4700.