CONTINUING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AID FARMERS

Portales, NM-With the strong impact of agriculture on the economy of the state, the New Mexico Agricultural Expo, sponsored by New Mexico Bank & Trust and Plateau Wireless, continues to thrive as the state's premier trade show for the 10th consecutive year. Reaching over a hundred-mile span, hundreds of farmers attend the trade show to view the newest products and changing trends in technology for the farming industry.

Over 400 exhibitors from 13 states and Canada will be showcasing the latest equipment available for the upcoming growing season ranging from tractors and equipment to the newest chemicals and seed varieties.

"The recession is new to the dot-comers, not to the farmers," said Dale Dent, owner of Dent & Co. John Deere. "Farming is as tough as it gets with the many continuous variables like the weather and prices."

Dent said many of the area farmers have not made the decision to utilize the newest technology. John Deere's recent application of break through technology is evident in GreenStar, the industry's first complete and fully integrated precision-farming system. This system lets farmers measure yield and other harvest data on the combine and inputs this information into readable color maps through the Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). These maps inform one of the exact production of each section of your field. A producer can then utilize this information to analyze the performance of seed rates, hybrids, fertilizers, chemicals and other inputs to help increase your net return.

"By starting with harvesting, a farmer can map the whole field physically to know exactly every square foot of your land," Dent added. "This precision farming can help eliminate steps to really save time and money through its efficiency."

With the farming industry changing with technological advancements, market trends have changed. Many of the local farmers are looking to serve the local dairymen more by selling their crops directly to the dairies."

My market has changed over the past 10 years," Dent said. "I used to sell to farmers who raised crops, but now I am selling directly to the dairymen."

An exciting new piece of John Deere equipment is the telehandler. With four-wheel drive capability and a 23-foot reach, it offers a wide range of attachments like a bucket, a lift capable of handling two large square bales and a palette fork. Dent hopes to have one to showcase at this year's Ag Expo.

With the continuing dominance of the agricultural industry throughout the state, over 400 vendors will fill their booths with products, technological advancements and services. Portales will host the 10th Annual New Mexico Agricultural Expo on Feb. 26-27. The 2002 show is expected to attract over 8,000 agricultural buyers.

Exhibitor booth spaces are still available for the Expo and the deadline for an exhibitor to be listed in the directory is Friday, Jan. 25.

"Over 100 vendors have already signed up for this year's Expo," said Janine Elder, exhibitor registration director. "With booth spaces filling up so rapidly, vendors interested in attending the show are encouraged to complete their applications quickly."

For more information regarding an exhibitor booth or attendance information, contact Janine Elder at the Expo office by calling (800) 635-8036 or email the expo at chamber@portales.com.

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