It's often said that agriculture is the most stable part of the economy. Organizers of World Ag Expo in Tulare are counting on that as they put the final touches on preparations for this year's show, set to open Tuesday.

"The economic situation, we're certainly sensitive about it, but we hope farmers realize this is a one-stop shop for agriculture," said Steve Knudsen, World Ag Expo spokesman.

The event billed as the world's largest agricultural equipment show is rolling into the area again with hundreds of exhibitors, tens of thousands of visitors and acres of gleaming equipment and technology for nearly anything you might need for a farm or dairy.

The opportunity to see virtually every new development in agricultural technology draws visitors from dozens of countries around the world.

Exhibitors come from all over the U.S. -- and some foreign countries -- to show off their stuff. They include Kings County businesses, but also a few that travel much greater distances.

A Minnesota-based manufacturer called Rotochopper Inc. will be there with a giant track machine that can grind up whole orchards. The device will be on display at Rotochopper's exhibit space, said Monte Hight, Rotochopper marketing manager. The price tag? A whopping $450,000.

Hight doesn't necessarily think somebody will buy it on the spot. But he sees it as an opportunity to show off what the company has to offer. He sees it as chance to draw people in and maybe sell some of the company's other products, all of which grind waste into recyclable materials and mulch. The push for recycling, biomass fuels and ethanol has been helpful, Hight said.

"The economy has closed some doors for us, but it's opened other doors for us," he said.

Nearly all the space is filled this year with over 1,500 exhibitors, according to Knudsen. That includes the dairy pavilion, which has expanded in recent years, but now faces a depressed dairy industry.

"Farmers and ranchers in the dairy industry are looking for innovative ways to stay competitive," Knudsen said.

Many local businesspeople will attend the show. How much buying or selling they will do is anybody's guess.

Hanford dairyman Dino Giacomazzi doesn't plan on doing any shopping there. Instead, he'll be making presentations on a labor and energy-saving farming practice called conservation tillage that he's been using for several years to grow feed crops for his cows.

"People are probably looking for good deals in a down economy," he said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432. To comment on this story, go to www.HanfordSentinel.com.

(Feb. 8, 2010)