Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farm Technology Days Kicks-Off in Brown County

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Farm Technology Days Kicks-Off in Brown County
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/15/2008

Thousands of agricultural producers, industry officials and others will be making their way to Brown County today for the kick-off of the 55th Wisconsin Farm Technology Days near Greenleaf. The event is being held at Country Aire Farms, a 3,000-acre modern dairy operation that is known for having one of the first milking parlors in their area during the 1970s. The operation now has a rotary milking parlor and has implemented a manure digestion system.

The festivities kick off at 9:00 with an address by State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen and remarks from the host family. The UW-Madison Marching Band will also perform during the opening ceremonies.

Visitors to the show this week can take part in field demonstrations, educational workshops and the chance to talk to exhibitors ranging from machinery manufacturers to seed companies. State and local area FFA students will be in town competing in the state's annual tractor safety contest and land & soils judging competitions. And for the first time ever, camping will be allowed on the grounds this year.

"More than 600 exhibitors will display their products and services at the show," says 2008 FTD Executive Secretary Mark Hagedorn. "Our Tent City will cover 65 or 70 acres, which is a bit higher than the usual 60-acre average for the show."

Tuesday's speakers at the Family Living Tent include Alice in Dairyland Ashley Huibregtse, Family Tree Expert Susan Manzke, Garden Specialist Caroline Sullivan, and Brown County Extension Agent Judy Knudsen.

To accommodate the major traffic, visitors coming from Highway 29 are asked to turn on Highway 41 South to Cty. U (Exit 154) South to Highway 96 East to Cty. D South to Lamers-Clancy Road East to site. Traffic coming in from Highway 10 should go North on Highway 57 North Cty. Z West to Old Hwy. 57 North.

The show runs from 8:30 to 4:30, with daily admission costing $5.00 for ages 12 years of age and older. Children are free.

This is the first time since 1969 that Brown County has hosted Farm Technology Days.

Wisconsin Ag Connection is providing daily updates during this week's show.

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