New Vendors and Innovations Draw Crowds to Annual Buffalo Bill Farm and Ranch Expo in North Platte
The Return of a Beloved Tradition
Each year, the Buffalo Bill Farm and Ranch Expo draws throngs of farmers and ranchers to the D&N Events Center in North Platte. This much-loved annual event serves as a focal point for the agricultural community, providing a platform for vendors to present their products and innovations. This year, approximately a dozen new vendors joined in, adding fresh perspectives and offerings to the gathering.
Health Initiatives for the Farming Community
One noteworthy addition to the lineup of exhibitors was Great Plains Health, which provided an invaluable service by offering free skin cancer screenings. Their initiative aimed to address a specific need within the agricultural community, whose members spend countless hours exposed to the elements. Lisa Kosmacek from Great Plains Health emphasized the importance of these screenings, stating that prevention is a crucial strategy in battling all types of cancer, particularly skin cancer, as it often goes unchecked for long periods.
Fostering Community Connections
The expo isn’t just about sales; it’s a key networking opportunity that reinforces the bonds within the farming community. According to Shawn Sullivan of Midwest AG Products, the event offers an ideal setting for farmers and ranchers to congregate and converse. Andrew Tickle from Mills Hardware and Feed echoed this sentiment, highlighting the chance to reconnect with familiar faces yearly. The camaraderie and mutual support evident among attendees illustrate the community-focused nature of this event.
Spotlight on Innovation
Innovation plays a central role at the expo, with several companies displaying the latest in agricultural technology. Among them, N-Drip presented its pioneering drip irrigation system. This gravity-fed technology is designed to help farmers save on energy costs—an essential consideration in crop production. Initially developed to support agriculture in developing countries lacking infrastructure, N-Drip’s system eliminates the need for energy-intensive high-pressure systems, pumps, and filters.
Expanding Technological Solutions Across Regions
Since expanding into the United States in 2015 through a partnership with PepsiCo, N-Drip has successfully implemented its irrigation technology across American farms that produce crops like soy and corn. Clifton Isson from N-Drip highlighted their growing footprint, sharing that they’ve established operations over 1,500 to 1,600 acres, with work extending across areas such as Gothenburg, Cozad, and Lexington. The company is now looking to extend its reach further eastward, signifying a promising future for sustainable agricultural practices.
Continuing the Legacy
The Buffalo Bill Farm and Ranch Expo promises to remain a pivotal event for the agricultural sector, continuing to bring the community together and foster advancements in farming technology and practices. As the event progresses, it remains open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on its concluding day, embodying the resilience and innovation inherent in the farming community.
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