WAUKON – The Farm Progress Hay Expo will head to northeast Iowa for the 2013 event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

The nation’s largest two-day hay event will be held at Regancrest Holsteins, in rural Waukon, just off Iowa Highway 9.

Admission is free. Parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information, visit www.HayExpo.com or call 866-264-7469.

“Regancrest is well-known and respected in the area for their highly productive dairy genetics and farming practices,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. “We are very pleased to have Regancrest as the host for the Hay Expo in 2013.”

Regancrest runs a diversified operation that includes some of the most sought-after dairy genetics in the country.

A new dairy facility with a 600-head milking capacity was added in 1999. Along with milking cows and extensive embryo flushing and transfer work, more than 2,600 acres are farmed, plus custom-worked.

Truly a family operation, members are involved in every aspect of the farm and business.

“The Hay Expo has a rich tradition of shows in northeast Iowa,” Jungmann said. “We are looking forward to being back in the area for the 2013 show.”

The 27th annual Hay Expo returns to northeast Iowa after several shows were held in Minnesota and central Iowa. The Hay Expo has a history of choosing a new location each year.

The show location rotates and has been in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The annual event has grown and evolved over the years and continues as the best resource for forage producers to see and learn about the latest technology, products and services for their industry.

Sponsored by Farm Progress publications Wallaces Farmer, Wisconsin Agriculturist and The Farmer, the Hay Expo offers an all-encompassing profile of the new hay and forage technology, with an extensive exhibit field and working equipment demonstrations conducted throughout each day.

The two-day hay event will showcase mowing, conditioning, baling, hay handling and silage demonstrations on alfalfa.

Visitors will be able to compare the various equipment brands operating side-by-side under actual field conditions.

A 10-acre exhibit site will display balers, choppers, mower-conditioners, tedders, baggers, rakes, telehandlers, bale stackers, bale wrappers and more.

In addition to the outdoor lots, the Haying Industries Tent will feature other products and services.

Product specialists will be on hand to discuss forage seed, hay marketing, crop protection and production, conservation and crop insurance.

Exhibitors plan to showcase a host of new products aimed at boosting the efficiency and profitability of hay and forage production.

This year, the Hay Expo will introduce a Lunch and Learn session on hay sponsored by Hay & Forage Grower.

Bruce Anderson, a University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist, will offer hay buyers and sellers tips on how they can maximize their resources.

He’ll also take a look at current hay prices and where he thinks they’ll head. The Lunch & Learn session will take place in the dining tent, located next to the concessions.

Since the first show in 1986, the Hay Expo has grown and evolved, but continues to be the best place for forage producers to see and learn about products and services in their industry.

“Field demonstrations are a highlight of the Hay Expo,” said Jungmann. “Demonstrations begin in the morning with mowing, conditioning and chopping then continues in the afternoon with raking, baling and hay handling.”

Watching the machines operate side-by-side in real-world conditions is an excellent opportunity for producers, he said.

A 10-acre exhibit field will highlight displays from the major and shortline 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 grounds and others,” said Jungmann.

The Allamakee County Cattlemen will serve food and drink on site and the Allamakee County Dairy Association will serve ice cream and milk from local WW Homestead Dairy.

Trams will be available from the exhibit field to the different demonstration locations.