Presentations and Demonstrations to Assist Producers with Equipment Decisions
MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Extension agents in the lower Middle Tennessee area as well as specialists from the University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science are offering a Farm Equipment Expo on November 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. CDT at the Coffee County Fairgrounds, 99 Lakeview Drive, in Manchester. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided.
The event will include presentations to assist producers with making informed financial decisions and proper safety and maintenance of farm equipment, as well as demonstrations with various types of equipment. Local farm equipment dealers and vendors will be at the event and skin screening tests will be available free of charge for participants. Pesticide points will be available.
“One of the most important decisions producers make is purchasing equipment for the farm,” says Rachel Painter, UT Extension farm management specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. “When evaluating capital investments like equipment purchases, the decisions will vary based on the type and needs of the operation and the financial situation. A farmer must ensure the use and size of the equipment matches the scale and needs of the operation from a production standpoint while having a clear understanding of how the purchase will impact the operation financially for years to come.” Painter has worked with local agricultural Extension agents to plan the expo based on common questions and needs of producers in the area.
“Maintenance and safety of equipment is extremely important and we want to provide an opportunity for producers to see proper cleaning, winterization, and calibration in-person with equipment demonstrations on-site,” says Amy Prince, UT Extension agent in Coffee County. “We are excited to partner with local equipment dealers and vendors to offer the expo and to have medical professionals offering skin screenings for farmers free of charge during the event.”
Register to attend online at tiny.utk.edu/farmexpo or contact your local agricultural Extension agent for more information and registration.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.