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Hay Expo returns to Central Iowa in June

By Staff | May 27, 2012

BOONE – The Farm Progress Hay Expo, the nation’s largest two-day hay event, is set for June 20 and June 21 at the Central Iowa Expo site near Boone.

The Hay Expo has joined forces with Iowa State University to offer an educational component to this year’s show. Elwynn Taylor, Extension climatologist, will be speaking both days at 12:30 p.m. on the topic “Weather: What Next?”

“We are very pleased that ISU Extension is offering a program each day of the show, as well as staff educational displays concerning topics that are relevant in the forage industry,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager.

ISU will have displays focusing on various forage topics including the cellulosic industry, growing miscanthus in Iowa, addressing clean biomass, strategic placement of perennial grasses for biofuel production and how removing corn stover influences future fertility management.

The displays will also cover alfalfa topics including recommendations for alfalfa fertilizer, alfalfa insects, best alfalfa production practices and alfalfa diseases and fungicide options.

Field demonstrations

A highlight of the Hay Expo is the working field demonstrations. Demonstrations cover the process to harvest forages from the beginning to the end.

Field events begin in the morning with mowing, conditioning and chopping then continue in the afternoon with raking, baling and hay handling.

Watching the machines operate side-by-side under actual field conditions is an excellent opportunity for producers.

A 10-acre exhibit field will highlight displays from the major and short-line specialty manufacturers; seed, building and storage facility suppliers; and a range of related product suppliers. Exhibitors plan to showcase a host of new products aimed at boosting the efficiency and profitability of hay and forage production.

“The exhibit field is the place to discuss seed, hay marketing, crop production, conservation and more.

There will be educational exhibits, hay and forage plots and other specialty crops,” Jungmann said.

Upscale show site

“The Central Iowa Expo facility is a great location to host a Hay Expo,” Jungmann said. “The location is readily accessible for forage producers driving to the event and the close proximity to a major metropolitan area makes it easy for those flying into the show.

The Central Iowa Expo facility also gives us more amenities than we usually have including electricity and permanent restrooms.”

The Boone County Cattlemen will serve food and drink on site. Trams will be available from the exhibit field to the different demonstration locations.