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Farm show focuses on affordable technology in 2016

Area farmers will likely be cutting back on spending at the Quad Cities Farm Show. That’s after a record-setting harvest, in some cases, is being countere...

Area farmers will likely be cutting back on spending at the Quad Cities Farm Show.

That's after a record-setting harvest, in some cases, is being countered by low crop prices.

The show is getting ready to open Sunday through Tuesday at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island.

This year, the sales strategy is changing with the times.

"Technology is going to be much more important this year," said Show Manager Richard Sherman.  "You're going to run your tractor longer. You're going to run your equipment longer."

At the Heartland Ag booth, it means offering technology to help farmers do a better job.

They can adapt big-ticket equipment to run longer, cheaper and more efficiently.

That's important during this time of wallet-watching.

"They'll tighten their belts up quite a bit," said Jeff Garman, Heartland Ag.  "This is something that's been predicted for the last several years."

2016 starts after a great harvest but low crop prices.

Despite that bin-busting harvest for some, corn prices are basically cut in two for everybody.

That will result in careful spending.

"The farmer has had a lot of money," Sherman continued.  "They've been buying everything.  That time is over, and it's going to be over for a couple of years."

At the family-owned Beck's seed booth, this trend is all part of the cyclical farm economy.

"It's never as bad as it seems," said Brandon Groth, Beck's Seeds.  "It's never as good as it seems.  We'll get through it."

The show, celebrating its 25th year, will adapt with the markets and focus on farmers.

"The farmer is coming more to see what he can do to save money, where he gets his return on investment," Sherman said.

Investments that are changing down on the farm for 2016.

The Quad Cities Farm Show runs from 10-5 on Sunday, 9-5 on Monday and 9-3 on Tuesday.

Admission and parking are free.

You'll find the QCCA Expo Center at 2621 4th Avenue in Rock Island.

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