New York Farm Show Opens Today

Anyone who wants to see the largest and greatest in agriculture should head to Syracuse today.

It’s time again for the New York Farm Show, set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Saturday at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes.

The show is celebrating its 30^th year and this year, there will be more than 215,000 square feet of exhibition space, all indoors in six fairgrounds buildings (Center of Progress, Dairy, Horticulture, International, Art and Home and Science).

In addition to booths and demonstrations of the newest and brightest ideas in agriculture, there also are a number of new workshops and p[roducts being displayed this year.

NEW WORKSHOPS

New ag workshops on Thursday include programs for new and beginning farmers, agroforestry operations and retail and wholesale meat opportunities.

Friday’s new programs will foscus on grants available for ag producers, how to profit from the Dairy Profit Monitor and information form the Dairy Farm Business Management summary.

On Saturday, new programs will be conducted on draft horses as a power source, used tractor buying tips for small farms and reducing heifer raising costs by grazing.

NEW PRODUCTS

About 420 exhibitors will show new products at the show. Check out the varaious booths in the six buildings to see some of these products on display:

** Automaitc feeding system which works 24/7 to put fresh feed from silos or feed kitchens right in front of dairy cows or heifers.

** Airless ski-steer wheels from Michelin which have greater wear on concrete and asphalt.

** Autodrive, autosteer guidance systems for tractors, sprayers and combines.

** Calf milk taxi that makes calf feeding easier, with larger tanks, new dispensing display monitors, larger wheels, automatic cleaning and LED driving lights for after-dark feeding.

** Compact water drinker made to fill with a nose push from an animal.

** Cow monitoring system using eartag microchip technology

** Dairy waterbed with two isolated chambers, one for the cow’s body and one for her knees and hocks

** Heavy-duty wheel loader which uses 25 percent less diesel fuel

** High-density round baler eliminated the need for a cam track and can roll higher bale densities 4 feet wide and up to 60 inches high

** Italian ryegrass which can produce several cuttings of high-quality forage

** United Wind wind turbine leases for farms

** Loader bucket shoe controls the leading edge of loader buckets and is perfect for moving snow and mulch and keeping the blade from surface digging

** Mobile lagoon agitator eliminates the expense of lagoon or pit cleanout once the pit or lagoon is pumped out

** Neoprene boots keep feet dry

** Organic hybrid seed corn

** Precast pasture bunk made of concrete with ½-inch rebar and 10-gauge wire

** Wide-discharge spreader that provides faster unloading with improved material breakup.

POPULAR WORKSHOPS

Some of the most popular workshops from years past will be back. Topics include farm safety; woodlot management and other wood issues; daily dairy robotics roundtable discussions; and programs for beef producers.

Tickets to the show are $5 at the door. Children less than age 18 are admitted for free. Free parking and bus shuttles are available.