LONDON, Ohio — Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review (FSR) may be celebrating its 50th year at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London Sept. 18-20, but organizers of this year’s event have their eyes set on the future.

With the theme “Forecasting the Future for 50 Years,” 600 exhibitors and a multitude of presenters will give farmers and others a glimpse into an agriculture outlook that is promising – yet complex.

“There’s always something new in agriculture,” Show Manager Chuck Gamble said, assuring visitors this show offers the best agricultural research, resources, information and access for farmers everywhere.
“It’s about forecasting the future, what technology could be coming down the road in agriculture. It’s about bringing cutting-edge technology to farmers.”

There will be no shortage of new technology at this year’s show, and Gamble recommends stops visitors won’t want to miss. For starters, they will be able to see drone technology and its application on the farm.

This unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, will be on demonstration showing how infrared technology from the air will allow farmers to scout crops for present and potential problems.

“We’re waiting for permission from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to use the airspace and when we do this actual aerial demonstration, it will boggle one’s mind,” Gamble said. “Talk about new technology; this is a big one.”

The showcasing of new tire technology that will help prevent tire damage from cornstalks will be of interest, Gamble said.

“Another interesting highlight is the management of cornstalk residue,” he said. 

“We have companies this year that will explain their new headers and choppers and how they can assist with cornstalk degradation and improve the lives of tractor tires. “And that’s a huge concern these days. Cornstalks are getting stronger and stronger, but they do a lot of damage to the tires and sidewalls.”

Underground shelters are nothing new to those in the heartland, but one company, Gamble said, will be on hand to display and sell its underground storm shelters directly to the farmer.

“An agriculture product? Certainly not, but underground storm shelters can be marketed to those on the farm,” he said. “This is quickly becoming a popular item among those in agriculture, everywhere.”

The tile installation and technology in field drainage as demonstrated by the Ohio Land Improvement Contractor’s Assoc. (OLICA) is yet another marquee item on this year’s agenda.

“Many farmers will find this very interesting and we’ll have two areas on the premise for these demonstrations,” Gamble said. “These projects were designed as agriculture engineering projects by students here at Ohio State University. One won’t want to miss this demonstration.”

With the growing interest in locally raised and produced foods, OSU extension Farm to School Program Coordinator Julie Fox will explain how farmers can profit from selling products to local schools.

“Schools are increasingly purchasing a variety of foods from local farmers and distributors because new school meal guidelines require an increase in the quantity and diversity of fruits and vegetables,” Fox said.

“We will show local farmers how to take advantage of this trend by knowing what products schools buy, finding out how products are packaged, priced and distributed, learning how schools operate and how to develop relationships with school decision-makers.”

Each afternoon during the Trotter Field demonstrations, topics will include corn and soybean harvest, GPS technology, manure application and equipment, tillage and field drainage demonstrations. At the Center for Small Farms visitors can learn about selling farm products to schools, deer farming, farm record-keeping, honeybees, agritourism, aquaponics, direct marketing of meat and leasing farming for oil and gas production.

The Utzinger Memorial Garden will house sessions regarding tree identification, bedding plants, pond renovation, pruning, garden designing and beginning beekeeping.

Each day the FSR will host “Question the Authorities” sessions, engaging such topics as legal issues, grain marketing, food trends, on-farm audits, bioenergy opportunities and animal antibiotics. Kip Cullers, the Missouri farmer who holds the world record in soybean yield of 160.6 bushels per acre, will talk about production techniques used to accomplish such incredible yields. 

Pre-show tickets are $5 at all OSU extension county offices. Tickets are also available at local agribusinesses. They are $8 at the gate. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 18-19 and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 20.