There will be a free producer breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Come out and join us for breakfast to kick off the expo. The show opens at 9 a.m. both days and closes at 7 p.m. the first day and 4 p.m. the second. Admission and parking are free.
"It's a great place to come see the newest and latest in farming and ranching technology practices," said Darren Dale, show owner. "We are expecting over 350 vendors from 20 states, Canada and Australia. With record livestock prices, the McCook Farm & Ranch Expo is the place to find all your livestock needs.”
Exhibitors include the numerous cutting-edge displays for farm and ranch equipment, seed and chemicals, agricultural services, irrigation manufacturers, financial providers, commodity organizations, colleges, governmental services, home services, furniture and art galleries, and much more. There truly will be something for everyone.
Back by popular demand is the Scott Daily horse training demonstrations both days of the show. Daily has been around horses most of his life. His love for horses and desire to train them began in 4-H while he was growing up in Inola, Oklahoma.
Daily started training horses about 18 years ago. After many years of working with challenging colts and horses, Daily has developed and perfected his own techniques. Daily believes in building trust between horse and rider. Daily is brought to you by MNB and Schaffert Repair.
New this year is A.I. demonstrations, brought to you by Accelerated Genetics and the Nebraska Bull Service, a division of Accelerated Genetics. More details to follow, so check the expo website for up-to-date information.
At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, McCook Farm & Ranch Expo (Darren and Tana Dale) and Loop Brewing Company will be hosting a chamber mixer for all chamber of commerce members. This event will be held in the Kiplinger Arena beer garden and wine tasting area.
Also, returning this year will be the Tres Rios Silver Working Ranch Horse Sale at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Come out and bid on some of the finest ranch horses in the area. Highest selling horse and buyer will receive a beautiful Tres Rios belt buckle.
In conjunction with the working ranch horse sale, we will also be hosting an FFA benefit auction. Several area FFA chapters are participating and will auction off an item that they have made in class. All proceeds generated from the sale of the chapter’s item will go directly to that FFA chapter.
Other attractions include Kurtzer’s walker mowers park and drive demonstrations, flu shots offered by the Red Willow Health Department and lots of prizes and giveaways.
McCook is in the center of rich farmland and cattle feedlots in southwest Nebraska, northwest Kansas and eastern Colorado.
“Our parking lot count from 2013 showed vehicles from 37 Nebraska counties, 20 Kansas counties, 13 Colorado counties and 10 other states,” says Dale.
The fairgrounds are in north central McCook, near West Fifth and O Streets. For more information visit the McCook Farm & Ranch Expo website. 
—From McCook Farm & Ranch Expo news release
