Farmers in buying mood at Power Show
By Jean Caspers-Simmet
simmet@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 02/18/2010 11:24 AM
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DES MOINES —Organizers of last week's Iowa Power Farming Show said the Des Moines event went extremely well with a single day record of 9,825 for the second day of the show.
Total attendance was 19,081, also a record, said show director Tom Junge, with the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association. The association owns and manages the show. Last year's show attracted 18,309.
Exhibitors representing 620 companies spread out their products in Hy-Vee Hall, Wells Fargo Arena, Veterans Auditorium and the halls connecting the three venues.
"Dale Sorem of Sorem Sales in Nevada told me he's been exhibiting at this show since 1972 and had never seen a crowd like Wednesday's," Junge said.
Junge said that the hottest items at the show were the new precision ag components offered by Ag Leader, Trimble and Teejet. All introduced new precision components at the show.
"Ag dryers were very popular, too," Junge said.
Junge said he had more exhibitors asking for additional space than ever before and more companies than ever asking about how they can exhibit at the show.
Junge said the on-line registration form asked farmers what types of equipment they were most likely to purchase in 2010.
Results showed that of 2,057 farmer responses, 22.5 percent said they planned to buy a tractor and 17 percent said they will buy guidance/precision ag equipment. There were 14.9 percent who said they want to buy grain bins/dryers and 14.7 percent who plan to buy pickup trucks. There are 11. 4 percent planning to purchase utility vehicles, 10.3 percent planters and 9.9 percent for both combines and hay equipment. There are 9.7 percent looking for grain carts.