It was 71 degrees by early afternoon — unheard of for mid-December in Iowa. While the wind was strong, visitors and exhibitors alike were bracing for even stronger gusts and sustained high winds later in the afternoon.

“The weather is the big topic of conversation,” said Brian Larson, of Sunderman Farm Management Co., one of more than 60 exhibitors welcoming visitors to the show.

Even so, that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of many in the ag community.

“Most farmers have seen a very good crop year, and good prices,” Sunderman said.

-Messenger photo by Lori Berglund
Visitors to the Farm News Ag Show have more than exhibitors to visit with at this yearÕs show. From left, Phil McIntire and Mark Bosma of Cen-pe-co Lubricants, offer a demonstration to Kaden Brown and Lucas Welsh.

A veteran of nearly 52 years in ag business, Sunderman has seen it all when it comes to challenges for Iowa farmers, and he boils that experience down to one main piece of advice for farmers today.

“Learning is life-long,” he said. “You have to keep up. That’s the motto of Iowa Central, and I think it’s a good one.”

Helping farmers stay up-to-date is one of the primary goals of the Farm News Ag Show, according to Dana Lantz, advertising manager of the newspaper.

“We like to bring in a really good mix of speakers for the two days,” Lantz said.

Henry Brain is a long-time central Iowa farmer who turned out bright and early to hear some of the first speakers of the show.

-Messenger photo by Lori Berglund
Steve Ferguson, of the Iowa Finance Authority, left, chats with Don and Michelle Ryan prior to his address at todayÕs Farm News Ag Show in Fort Dodge.

“I really want to hear what Chad Hart has to say,” Brain said. “I’m very interested in carbon credits and want to learn more.”

Hart is professor of economics at Iowa State University in Ames and was on hand to talk about the growing level of interest from Iowa farmers regarding the carbon markets. To most farmers, it’s still a relatively new topic, but Hart said they are fielding more and more requests to learn about this opportunity.

For his part, Brain started farming in 1962 and farmed with his dad before that. Today, his son, Paul, runs the farm.

‘It’s interesting information when you put it all together,” Brain said. “Farmers need to stay current.”

Following Hart on the speakers’ stage was Kelvin Leibold, farm and ag business management specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach. While many farmers are reporting a good year, Leibold reached out to the many farmers who are still struggling.

“The USDA says you guys have made more money than ever before, but what they don’t mention is the 20 percent of farmers who still have cash flow problems,” Leibold said.

The fall harvest and tillage season was another topic of interest.

“I am amazed at the amount of fall tillage this year,” Leibold said. “I have found just one field with corn still standing and that’s in Floyd County. The operator farms about 20,000 acres.”

Afternoon speakers included Steve Ferguson of the Iowa Finance Authority and Jim Ladlie of ProfitProAg, of Albert Lea, Minnesota.

There’s lots more on tap for today when the show opens with a free pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. for the first 525 visitors. Chris Cakes will cater the breakfast, which is sponsored by Webster County Farm Bureau.

Lunch was served by the Webster County Pork Producers Wednesday, who will be followed by the Webster County Beef Producers serving it up on Thursday.

There’s another lineup of speakers as well, including: David Kruse president of CommStock Investments at 8:30 a.m.; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig at 10:30 a.m.; and Angie Rieck-Hinz, extension field agronomist at 1 p.m.

Visitors will find plenty to see from all the exhibitors that include both farm and home interests for the whole family.

From Pampered Chef to lubricants for the farm, new windows and farm equipment, exhibitors are anxious to shake a few hands over the two-day show.

“I enjoy meeting the people and helping them learn what goes in their water,” said Mike Hackbarth of Mort’s Plumbing and Heating.

Marty Hersh came all the way from Lincoln, Nebraska., to show visitors Bristol Windows to improve their home. It’s his third year doing the Farm News Ag Show and appreciates the contacts he makes there.

Mark Bosma and Phil McIntire of Cen-pe-co Lubricants said they enjoy seeing customers year after year at the show.

“It’s a good show,” they agreed. “Everybody’s talking about the weather today.”

The public is encouraged to come again out from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, listen to the speakers, chat with exhibitors and enjoy both breakfast and noon dinner.