WEST FARGO, ND - The Big Iron Farm Show enters its 29^th year with an outstanding showcase of agricultural products and services.  During the three day celebration of agriculture, exhibitors unveil innovative ideas while continuing the great traditions that launched the show.

"Our exhibitors have brought the newest technology, and the newest products in the ag world have been displayed at Big Iron on a regular basis,"  says Mike St. Onge, Alerus Financial, Grand Forks, who is this year's Big Iron Committee chairperson.

Big Iron XXIX will welcome visitors from 9 am to 5 pm Sept 15, 16 and 17 at the grounds of the Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo.  Admission to the show is free, along with parking.

Visit one of more than 800 exhibits, witness a field demonstration or connect with other agricultural producers during the three days of Big Iron.

"It's a great opportunity for people to come and check things out,"  says General Manager, Bryan Schulz.  "Just having the opportunity to do a one-stop shop where they're able to meet with vendors and get everything taken care of in one location, that's a big draw."

The Big Iron Farm Show will continue its international twist as foreign visitors attend the three-day farm show and the International Visitors Program. 

"They come in and do their purchases for overseas and a lot of the vendors are excited about that,"  Schulz explains.

A new feature to the Big Iron Farm Show, strip till demonstrations will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday and Wednesday Sept 15-16, south of the Red River Valley Speedway.

On Tuesday, a half-hour education program will focus on using strip tilling in corn and soybean production with field demonstrations in corn stubble.  On Wednesday, the educational program will focus on sugar beet production with field demonstrations in wheat stubble.

About 10 companies will demonstrate equipment, with the education programs presented by North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service staff.  "That will be a big hit,"  Schulz says.

Continuing for the second year is the Red River Farm Network Issues and Events Center, which will feature discussions on ag topics at 10:30 am each day, with a market outlook panel at 1:30 pm each day.

The area's top production beef cattle will be on display on the grounds with a 1 pm symposium Wednesday, September 16, by Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle specialists, in the Livestock Production Display area.

Visitors will see all types of equipment in the field at Big Iron's demonstration areas.  Daily field demonstrations will be held from 1-3 pm south of the Red River Valley Speedway.  Transportation to and from the demonstration area is provided at no charge.

Also, be sure to see the demonstrations conducted on the grounds throughout the show by various exhibitors.

"Ever since the first show, our thoughts were that we would make a show that was exhibitor friendly, a show that our exhibitors wanted to come to and wanted to do their very best with the newest products.  That would attract the very best ag producers that we could,"  St. Onge believes.

The  29^th annual Big Iron Farm Show is expected to draw over 80,000 attendees. 

Big Iron Farm Show is a subsidiary of the Red River Valley Fair Association.  For more information call 282.2200 or visit http://www.bigironfarmshow.com/ or pick up the North Dakota Living supplement, the official publication of the Big Iron Farm Show.

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