LONDON – Despite a daylong drench and the mud that followed, this year’s Farm Science Review drew eager attendees Sept. 19-21 who came to learn about the latest innovations in agriculture and tote home a bag of freebies.
A record-number of exhibitors, 642, intrigued attendees with farm machinery, varieties of seeds and fertilizers, weed killers and crop advice at the three-day agricultural trade show sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
“The attendees who visited us, despite the rain and muddy parking lots, were still able to find ways to make their farming operations more efficient,” said Nick Zachrich, manager of the Review. “Exhibitors had new equipment, small and large, for all sizes of farmers. Those with just a few acres or a few thousand acres could find something to improve their businesses.”
The event at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio, attracted a total of 113,836 visitors over three days. The first day, the appealing temperate weather turned into a downpour, but many still stayed to catch some advice and later slide through muddy parking lots on their way out.
“We were happy to help farmers test-drive their 4-wheel drive vehicles in the parking lot,” Zachrich joked.
This year’s show included talks on safety tips for the farm, field demonstrations on drones and drainage tile, advice on applying fertilizer and enough combines, tractors and planters to interest even those typically indifferent to machinery. A ride and drive area offered rides on utility vehicles and Zero Turn mowers, which allow for tight turns. Demonstration plots showed pesticide drift potential, nutrient management and new soybean herbicide technology.
The largest turnout at the Review was on Wednesday when 50,880 visitors arrived. Tuesday drew 37,812 visitors, and the final day of the farm show attracted 25,144 people.
Next year’s Review will be Sept. 18 – 20, 2018.
Nick Zachrich
zachrich.13@osu.edu
614-292-4278