From: Timber Harvesting Staff
A record number of manufacturers, dealers, distributors, agencies and service providers, representing at least 115 brands, will participate in the 2016 Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show. The 15th rendition of the event gets underway August 26 for two days at the Charles E. Burkhardt Pavilion & Site near Starkville, Mississippi.
Given this level of interest, along with drawings, contests, tie-in meetings and charity fundraisers, a new record attendance may also be reached, according to show management.
All the usual exhibitors and brands will be there, as will several newcomers, including OTR Wheel Engineering and BKT USA, both of which offer off-road tires; Riley Forestry Equipment, a manufacturer of pull-through delimbers, mulchers and mulcher carriers; Cross-Tech Mfg., which makes Brush Wolf heavy-duty brush cutters/mulchers; Lonestar Truck Group (Freightliner and Western Star), Renasant Insurance, Southern Insurance Agency, and HUB International, which represent insurance services; and Wood’s Trailers and Repair, based in Golden, Miss. Along with tire and attachment companies, insurance providers will be very well represented this year.
As is its custom, Mid-South will offer much more than the latest technology, updated products and vital services. Loggers and foresters can earn required credits and landowners can pick up forest management tips by attending various continuing education sessions and field demos. The six on-site tent classes and four field demos begin each day at 9 a.m. and change on the hour.
Loader and skidder contests, each offering $500, $300 and $100 cash prizes for top finishers, will be offered—the loader contest by B&G Equipment/Tigercat and the skidder contest by Stribling Equipment/John Deere. The contests will run both days. To help keep paid attendees on-site longer on Saturday, the Mississippi Loggers Association (MLA) will conduct two $1,000 cash drawings, the first at 1:50 p.m. in the live demo area and the second at 2:30 in the static area. Winners must be present to claim the cash.
Also on Saturday, at least three exhibitors in the live demo area will prepare hot meals, the proceeds of which, at least in part, will go to Log-A-Load for Kids. The MLA will also raise money for the charity by selling T shirts and chances on pistols, rifles and shotguns.
An expansive selection of continuous fun activities for children will be highlighted by the Sawdust Pile of Prizes, scheduled eight times daily. As well, Artistry in Wood, the award winning chain saw carving/sculpting team, will again be on hand, creating custom wood works of art.
On Friday at 6 p.m. the MLA will a hold its biennial awards banquet on-site. Guest speaker will be Richard Schwab, president of the American Loggers Council. Contact MLA at 601-776-5754 or visit msloggers.org.
The show is a collaborative effort involving Mississippi State University, the Mississippi Forestry Association and the Mississippi Loggers Association.
As of July 20 the exhibitor list included Stirling Promotions, Forestry Suppliers, Tri-State Truck Center, Alliance Tire Group, MSU Wildlife, Fisheries, Aquaculture Extension, Hatton-Brown Publishers, ForesTree Equipment Trader, MLA Insurance Services, Risk Management Partners, Mississippi Loggers Assn., Lumbermen’s Equipment Digest, Mississippi 811, Mississippi Forestry Assn., Magnolia Trailers, Burroughs Diesel, Truckers Supply Co., Maxi-Load Scale Systems, Kinder Morgan, Rotobec, Stribling Equipment Co., John Deere, B&G Equipment, Tigercat, Morbark, Southern Loggin’ Times, Waters International Trucks, Barko, Chambers DeLimbinator, Wood-Mizer, Thompson Machiner, Puckett Machinery, Caterpillar, Prentice, Winston Plywood & Veneer, Landmark Spatial Solutions, TMS Machinery Sales, Truckworx Kenworth, Davis Garvin, Assured Partners NL, Bandit, Titan, Wood Bioenergy, GCR Tires & Service, Peterson Pacific, Timber Processing, Panel World, Limb Beaver, MSU College of Forest Resources, Horizon Insurance Group, Tannehill Industries, Rayco Mfg., CSI, Tom Smith Land and Homes, Smith’s South Central Sales Co., Mississippi Forestry Commission, Quadco, Wallingford’s, Nation’s Welding Supply, Peterbilt of McComb, Construction Safety Products, Southern Insurance Agency, Advanced Drainage Systems, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Dutch Lubricants, Renasant Insurance, Hawkins & Rawlinson Insurance, OSHA, Manac Trailers, Vermeer MidSouth, OTR Wheel Engineering, Fecon, Ledkins Insurance Agency, Cannon Commercial, 4-County Electric Power Assn., Log Max, BKT USA, Artistry In Wood, Lonestar Truck Group, Central Alabama Training Solutions, River Ridge Equipment, Riley Forestry Equipment, Ryan’s Equipment, Royal Oil Co., Timber T Shirts, Timber Clothing, Goodyear Commercial Tire, Wood’s Trailers & Repair, Southern Loggers Cooperative, HUB International Gulf South, ASV, Southern Safety Solutions, MDOT Law Enforcement Div., American Lumber & Pallet, 4 Corner Properties, LandMAX Timber Co., Industrial Steam Cleaners, Cross-Tech Manufacturing, ArborGen, Pemberton Attachments, and Wood Industries.
Visit midsouthforestry.org.