The lengthy strains on the Sunbelt Ag Expo that marked the sellers hawking GPS programs within the Nineties will morph this yr into giant crowds craning their heads to see drones devoted to crop administration.

“Over the years our exhibitors provide us with the latest technology, and we help them showcase that while they’re at the show,” mentioned Chip Blalock, govt director of the Expo.

Agriculture is in high-speed motion on the expertise freeway at North America’s Premier Farm Show. With 1,200 exhibitors, guests to the 100 acres of present grounds and 530-acre analysis farm should transfer quick to see all the pieces.

“You can visit all the static exhibits and also see how everything performs in the field,” Blalock mentioned. He famous that GPS drew crowds within the Nineties and RTK programs for tractors garnered consideration the next decade. “I’m looking forward to the day we have an autonomous tractor in the field,” Blalock mentioned.

“It’s been really fascinating to see how farmers have embraced new technology,” Blalock mentioned. “It’s all about efficiency, about how we can take care of business and the land at the same time. Economic and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.”

Drone demos

As the solar rises on opening day of the forty fifth Expo, one of many greatest attracts for farmers probably would be the drone demonstrations supplied by producers and the drone software analysis trials led by the University of Georgia’s precision ag workforce. Though UGA began working with drones on the Darrell Williams Research Farm on the Expo within the first decade of this century, the chance to make use of the drones to use crop safety therapies is what farmers and ag companies now discover engaging.

“It’s been really cool to watch the drone research evolve over the last nine years,” Blalock mentioned.

Usefulness is what modified the market alternative.

“What is the value in drones that can take pretty pictures?” mentioned Simer Virk, UGA Extension precision ag specialist. “Once they see the value that something can bring to their farm, they’re interested in it.”

Using drones to use insecticide to subject corners or herbicide round energy strains meets a beforehand unmet problem, Virk mentioned. He’s listening to from a whole lot of farmers.

“As people have found what works for them on their farms, it has brought more interest in using this technology on their farms,” Virk mentioned. “They want to know what’s out there that can help them do their jobs better. Every grower has given an example of somewhere on their farm that they could use this technology. Everybody sees where this can be used.”

The Sunbelt Ag Expo can also be an excellent place to expertise good fellowship and meals, with a number of areas and lots of menus to select from. Credit: Sunbelt Ag Expo

Drones that carry tanks full of crop safety supplies are new, however they’re solely complementary to conventional software instruments. 

“Drones are not here to replace any of the other application methods we have,” Virk mentioned. “They are another tool.”

As with each different yr, farmers additionally will discover conventional software gear on the Expo grounds and on the analysis farm.

“We’re still blessed. For the big fields, that ground or aerial applicator still are the ways to go,” Blalock mentioned. “For specialty crops, for some of those small fields, those drones are a good opportunity.”

What Sunbelt Expo guests is not going to discover this yr – for the primary time – is the inventory canine trials.

“As Yogi Berra said, ‘The future ain’t what it used to be,’ Blalock quipped.

Antique tractors get double billing

Where the stock dog trials once ruled the day on a field between the Expo grounds and the research farm, an antique tractor pull certainly will draw crowds. The daily antique tractor parade has been a popular traditional event.

The antique tractor pull is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. The parade will run at 2 p.m., also each day.

“It’s important that the parade on Tuesday is at 2 o’clock so the (Sunbelt Expo Southeastern) Farmer of the Year family can take the ride,” Blalock mentioned.

The regional Farmer of the Year is chosen from 10 state farmers of the yr. The winner is introduced on the Willie B. Withers Sunbelt Ag Expo Luncheon on Tuesday.

Contests, competitions and giveaways

The Southeastern Farmer of the Year additionally is named on to guage the Pork Cook-Off, held in partnership with the Georgia Young Farmers Association (GYFA).

The Farmer of the Year isn’t the one customer who stays busy. Everybody who attends the Sunbelt Expo finds loads to see and do. Trying to expertise all the pieces would take each minute of each opening hour within the three-day present. With the exhibitors divided into livestock, household residing, outside and such, guests can select their highest precedence areas. The social schedule additionally presents a number of highlights, together with not solely the vintage tractor occasions but in addition: 

“I have a feeling when it gets down to it, it’s going to be some pretty good bragging rights for the winners,” Blalock mentioned.

Of course, the Spotlight State has bragging rights of their chosen yr on the present. For 2023, Alabama takes the pedestal. Sweet Grown Alabama pulls guests right into a wonderland with a road-trip theme, a wealth of academic treats, and a truckload of freebies.

Before using into the sundown, guests can hop on one or three take a look at tracks supplied by ATV producers on the sting of the exhibit grounds close to the headquarters constructing.

With a lot to do, Expo management can solely say one factor to guests who wish to see all of it: good luck.