EMMETSBURG — Farm News is hosting its first Iowa Lakes Community College Emmetsburg Farm News Ag Show from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Iowa Lakes Community College Emmetsburg Campus, 3200 College Drive, Emmetsburg. The main show sponsor of this event is Poet Biorefining, of Emmetsburg.

For those familiar with the annual Farm News Ag Show held each December, they can expect the same ag-based exhibitors showcasing their latest state-of-the-art technology in grain products, ag equipment, ag services, seed varieties, fertilizer, ag banking and home improvement.

But on a different scale.

Approximately 6,900 square feet of indoor exhibitor space and several acres of outside exhibit space will host more than 70 exhibitors from Iowa and surrounding states.

“Our Fort Dodge shows have been very successful over the last 17 years so last July the question was asked about the possibility of having a second show,” said Dana Lantz, Farm News advertising manager. “We wanted to go north, but if we did, we wanted to partner up with a great ag-based school, so logically, Iowa Lakes Community College came to mind. The college has been wonderful to work with and we believe this is going to be a really neat day.”

Those attending the show can register to win three prizes. Show goers can sign up at the Emmetsburg Reporter and Farm News booth.

Prizes include, a Homak Rally Sport blue 54-inch RD Pro Series top and bottom roller cabinet toolbox, valued at more than $1,900. The toolbox is provided by NAPA Auto Parts — Kristat Auto Parts, LLC, of Emmetsburg; a Spirit II E-310 black gas grill valued at $449 sponsored by Swanson Hardware of Emmetsburg and a Sunheat 93-inch high triangle variable flame patio heater in a stainless steel finish valued at $599 sponsored by Brey’s on Seventh of Estherville.

In addition to a gymnasium full of exhibitors as well as 10 acres of outside exhibits, show goers will have the opportunity to listen in on three speakers as well as a band and the opportunity to become certified through Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) workshops.

“Visitors will be able to hear some great speakers throughout the day as well as hear a great folk band,” said Lantz. “The Blue Ribbon Ramblers, a Fort Dodge-based band will play live outside from noon until 4 p.m.”

The Ramblers will be co-sponsored by ASI Companies of Emmetsburg, and The Country Store of Clarion.

Featured speakers will include:

• David Kruse, president of CommStock Investments and author of the CommStock Report, will speak from 9:30-11 a.m. and will discuss “$Millions Versus $Billions…DJT’s Farm Program.” Kruse’s appearance is co-sponsored by Sunderman Farm Management Co. and Farm Credit Services of America, Emmetsburg.

Kruse is president of CommStock Investments, his Northwest Iowa agricultural risk management company that provides an umbrella of services. They include commodity market brokerage and commodity market advisory services, crop insurance through Agrivantage LLC, a managed bushels grain marketing program through Agri-Plus LLC. Kruse also owns Royalty Insurance LLC which is a property/casualty insurance company.

Kruse is a regular speaker at Farm News Ag shows.

“It is always a pleasure to speak to the Farm News audiences,” he said. “Farm News has been and continues to be (a) strong supporter of rural America. We all benefit from a strong farm economy and every person should care what is happening right now based on current administration policy decisions that will ultimately affect everyone. Today’s producers need to be attentive to world events unfolding as we now live very much in a global society today and what happens in China for example, with trade and tariffs, will affect everyone picking up and reading Farm News.”

• Dr. S. Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University professor of agronomy and climatology emeritus, will speak from 1-2:30 p.m. and will discuss “Crop Weather Outlook 2019 and Weather Trends Through 2025.” Taylor’s appearance is sponsored by The Fine Twine Co.

Taylor is the past extension climatologist at Iowa State University, and is well known for his analysis of weather influence on the Midwest. He is widely recognized for his clear explanations of the complexities of long-term weather variability.

All persons concerned with climate associated risks will benefit from Taylor’s clear and often humorous explanations.

• Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, has been invited to speak from 3:30-5 p.m.

Naig is returning to his hometown for the Farm News Ag Show. He was elected as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in November 2018.

As the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Naig is focused on expanding our markets, promoting careers in agriculture, and improving water quality and land stewardship.

He grew up on his family’s farm near Cylinder, and is committed to leading efforts to expand economic opportunities for Iowans and is an advocate on behalf of the hard-working men and women who keep us fed and fueled.

Naig is a graduate of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake with degrees in biology and political science. He and his wife Jaime have three boys.

BQA and BQAT workshops

There will also be a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) workshop from 10 a.m. to noon and a Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) workshop from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in one of the classrooms during the show on the premises. Attendees will be certified at the sessions attended. This is being hosted by the Palo Alto Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Beth Doran, beef program specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach said BQA is an industry-driven program from the consumer to the beef producer. Major meat purveyors (Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Walmart, etc.) heard from consumers that they want to know how the beef they eat is raised. These consumers expect beef to be safe, wholesome and nutritious, but they also want to know was there good animal welfare and was the production system environmentally sound.

“The purveyors relayed this message to beef packers, who in turn conveyed to feedlot and cow-calf producers they will only buy beef animals with this documentation — namely BQA certification,” she said.

The objectives were two-fold: No. 1, to assure the consumer how their beef is produced, and No. 2 to educate producers on best management practices and help them maintain market access.

According to Doran, the industry worked diligently last year to provide BQA training to feedlot and cow-calf producers. The goal was to have the majority of feedlot and cow-calf producers BQA certified by Jan. 1, 2019. In Iowa, through a joint partnership of the Iowa Beef Center at ISU and the Iowa Beef Industry Council, 94 trainings certified 6138 participants.

As for BQAT (Beef Quality Assurance Transportation), this is a new program for both farmers and professional truckers.

“Transportation quality assurance plays a critical role in the health and welfare of cattle. So, a transporter that has this certification is demonstrating to the consumer that they are taking care to keep cattle as healthy and safe as possible. Major packers will require BQAT certification prior to Jan. 1, 2020,” she said.

Refreshments

Water will be served during the speaker presentations and the beef workshops courtesy of Advanced Water Systems, of Spirit Lake.

Breakfast will be available on site and served by the Emmetsburg Kiwanis. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-9:30 a.m. in the campus cafeteria.

Lunch is available on site and will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will be served from the campus cafeteria and the campus Laker Cafe.

Afternoon snacks will also be available from 2 -5 p.m. from the campus Laker Cafe.

Iowa Lakes Community College Emmetsburg Farm News Ag Show partners include Iowa Lakes Community College Emmetsburg, Poet Biorefining of Emmetsburg, NAPA Auto Parts — Kristat Auto Parts, LLC of Emmetsburg, The Fine Twine Co. of Alton, Super 8 by Wyndham of Emmetsburg, Sunderman Farm Management Co. of Fort Dodge, Farm Credit Services of America of Emmetsburg, ASI Companies of Emmetsburg, The Country Store of Clarion, and Advanced Water Systems of Spirit Lake.

For more information, contact Dana Lantz, advertising manager, Farm News, 713 Central Ave., Fort Dodge, IA 50501 or 515-574-4451 ext. 450.