MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi’s oldest regional farm show will salute the state’s $6 billion agricultural industry during the Jan. 16-17 event in Cleveland.

Farmers and agricultural consultants across the region will converge on the Bolivar County Exposition Center, located on Highway 61 North, for the 34th annual Delta Ag Expo.

Chip Morgan, executive vice president of the Delta Council, and David Waide, president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, will speak on the 2007 Farm Bill at noon on Tuesday. Waide also will recognize to two Delta growers for their contributions to the state’s agriculture.

Organizers will emphasize new technologies and research-proven information in the educational seminars.

Rice and soybean production will be the first topics on the Tuesday morning agenda. Sessions will cover rice variety selection, rice fertility and weed control. The soybean session will focus on row spacing, planting dates, insect management and a review of the 2006 crop.

Cotton and corn production issues will be on the Tuesday afternoon schedule. Cotton irrigation, cotton insects, Roundup Ready management and hybrid selection, and other high-yield management issues will be discussed.

On Wednesday, sessions will cover pesticide drift problems and wheat production.

More than 100 commercial exhibits will represent every phase of agriculture. Exhibits will open at 8:30 a.m. both days and close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

For more information on the 2007 Delta Ag Expo, contact Don Respess at the Coahoma County Extension Office in Clarksdale at (662) 624-3070 or by e-mail at [email protected].