Ag, innovation and family fun highlight Midland Empire farm show
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Midland Empire Ag and Rural Lifestyle Show is back at St. Joseph's Civic Arena.
One of the vendors at this year’s show is Tony Lockwood, owner of Lockwood Engineering Services.
He said he’ll be showcasing Grain Guard 360, a monitoring system designed to track temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels inside grain bins.
“We also go after mold, mildew and fungus within the bin itself. So while everybody else can tell you when you get CO2 or when you have issues, we can tell you when the issue starts,” Lockwood said.
Lockwood explained that while many companies charge subscription fees for similar systems, his company does not.
He also said they help customers with setup and offer a different control strategy than competitors.
“We offer energy savings. We offer several other layers on top of that and we can (be) cheaper, so we have a complete system that allows you to pick and choose what you want from your bin,” Lockwood said.
He added that the first grain bin monitor he ever built dates back to 2007, and while it was a basic design, it worked.
Lockwood said being part of the show isn’t just about showing off new technology, but also about building connections within the community.
Amanda Craig, another vendor participating in the show, said she’ll be offering free batteries with select DeWalt and Milwaukee tools, along with a display featuring Highland cows.
She said the show is a great place for kids and families, with plenty of attractions for younger visitors — especially the petting zoo.
“We have just been doing this for several years to be a part of the community. We have a store here in town with a total of seven stores in general. We like to be close to home,” Craig said.
Craig said this will be nearly her fourth year participating in the show. While she admitted she feels a little less prepared this year, she’s still excited to be there.
“I feel a little less prepared than some of the years, but I am here, and we are going to make this work,” Craig added.
The Midland Empire Ag and Rural Lifestyle Show runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.
