Ag meeting to be held at Mizzou this week

~ The event will feature nearly 100 agricultural trade show exhibits.

More than 1,500 farmers, agribusiness professionals, legislators and university personnel are expected to meet in Columbia, Mo., for the 2006 Show-Me Ag Classic this week. The sixth annual event, which includes a trade show, a panel discussion and individual group business meetings, will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Hearnes Center on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

Roger Aikens, livestock specialist with University Extension in Jackson, said Extension personnel often attend the event.

"I've been to it before. I attended some livestock training sessions," Aikens said. "It's really more of a crop and agriculture trade show, and it's very popular, especially with farmers in the Bootheel."

Gerald Bryan, an agronomist and crop specialist with University Extension in Jackson, attended last year's Show-Me Ag Classic.

"I spoke to a group of people at an irrigation conference," he said. "I updated them on a drainage project we were working on here. There's a pretty good number of people who go to Columbia for this."

Bryan said the first day of the show is popular, partly because that's when the Ag Day Barbecue is held.

"The barbecue really brings them in, but there are many other events and many things to do and see," he said. "Soybean growers and irrigation specialists from the Sikeston area always attend."

As the largest annual ag trade show in mid-Missouri, the event will feature nearly 100 agricultural trade show exhibits with the newest crop nutrient, protection and seed technology, as well as the latest in farm and agribusiness services and equipment.

The event will feature "Ag Uncensored" with Bruce Bullock, a panel discussion designed to promote innovative thinking and provide farmers and agribusiness professionals with insight into current ag issues.

In addition, a Custom Applicator Workshop will be held Tuesday and Wednesday in conjunction with the Show-Me Ag Classic to assist ag professionals in reducing the risk of non-point source pollution and preventing hypoxia. Continuing education credits (12.5) and recertification credits will be available for certified crop advisers and commercial applicators.

The event is sponsored by the Missouri Ag Industries Council, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Soybean Association and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

To register for the 2006 Show-Me Ag Classic, call MO-AG at (573) 636-6130 or visit www.mo-ag.com.