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It’s hard to believe that the second day of the <a title=”www.farmmachinery.org” href=”http://www.farmmachinery.org/” target=”_blank”>2010 National Farm Machinery Show</a> is more than half over – this much anticipated, annual Louisville, Kentucky, gathering has been another booming success, in spite of the weather and economy.</p>
<p>I arrived on the show floor yesterday amidst throngs of eager, interested folks with addresses on all avenues of agriculture and spent quality time with a few movers and shakers in the industry. Strong companies such as <a title=”http://bobcat.com/” href=”http://bobcat.com/” target=”_blank”>Bobcat</a> and <a title=”http://kubota.com/f/home/home.cfm” href=”http://kubota.com/f/home/home.cfm” target=”_blank”>Kubota</a>, <a title=”http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/mf/na/” href=”http://www.masseyferguson.com/agco/mf/na/” target=”_blank”>Massey Ferguson</a> and <a title=”http://www.mccormickusa.com/” href=”http://www.mccormickusa.com/” target=”_blank”>McCormick</a>, <a title=”http://www.cubcadet.com” href=”http://www.cubcadet.com/” target=”_blank”>Cub Cadet</a> and <a title=”http://agriculture.newholland.com/us/en/Pages/homepage.aspx” href=”http://agriculture.newholland.com/us/en/Pages/homepage.aspx” target=”_blank”>New Holland</a> have weathered the economic storm with sufficient fettle that they’ve managed to roll out new equipment of all kinds.</p>
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<p>Sr. Vice President for Sales at <a title=”http://www.cubcadet.com/” href=”http://www.cubcadet.com/” target=”_blank”>Cub Cadet</a>, Nathan Walker, says that his group is guardedly optimistic that the economy is improving. His dealers, who handle everything from consumer lawn and garden equipment to commercial landscaping and turf maintenance products to a full line of <a title=”http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category1_10051_14101_600003_Y_-1″ href=”http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category1_10051_14101_600003_Y_-1″ target=”_blank”>Cub Cadet-Yanmar</a> compact tractors, are seeing strong demand already this year. </p>
<p>Rodney Miller, CEO of <a title=”http://www.mccormickusa.com/” href=”http://www.mccormickusa.com/” target=”_blank”>McCormick-International USA</a>, makers of a full line of compact, utility and farm tractors agrees, indicating that, although investment capital is still very tight, lenders are beginning to look for some opportunity – though their comfort-level hurdle is still pretty high. Manufacturers seem to universally agree that, while large equipment sales remain strong, significant opportunities exist with the smaller acreage machines. And that bodes well for all of you who are in the market for compact machinery. If you are in the market for a compact tractor, side-by-side utility vehicle or other piece of machinery – now is a good time to make a deal at your local dealership.</p>
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<p>The 2010 National Farm Machinery Show draws farmers, ranchers, rural enthusiasts and just plain interested folks from all over North America, and, judging by how difficult it is to walk from one end of the vast exhibition hall to the other because of the crowds, the attendance is strong. Most of the visitors I spoke with came here to see the latest and greatest equipment in their interest area. Some intend to make a deal on a new piece of machinery. Others came to the 2010 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville to take a break from winter – and to watch some of the best tractor pulling in the world.</p>
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<p>If you’ve never attended the National Farm Machinery Show, pencil it into your calendar now for 2011. To learn more about this historic, annual event visit the <a title=”http://www.farmmachineryshow.org/” href=”http://www.farmmachineryshow.org/” target=”_blank”>National Farm Machinery Show website</a>.</p>
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<a href=”http://www.grit.com/biographies/oscar-h-will” target=_self>Hank Will</a>
<em> raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on </em>
<a title=Google+ href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/117459637128204205101/posts” target=_blank rel=author>Google+</a>.</p>
