Despite smaller crowds and gate receipts than last year, the Four States Agricultural Exposition was no burr in Montezuma Countys saddle.
Even though numbers were low, the crowds were happy and vendors had terrific sales, said ag expo board President Dusty Beals.
We had such good weather every day but Sunday; I think that a lot of farmers stayed in their fields to get some work done before that storm hit, Beals said.
The 2012 ag expo was held March 15-18 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. The list of exhibitors scheduled to display their services at the expo ranged from High Altitude Ranch Panels, to Cruzan Irrigation, to IFA Country Store. Examples of activities include the Bull and Heifer Showcase, Jason Patricks presentation Getting More from a Young Horse, Dreamland Industries The Good, The Band & The Ugly of Growing Safflower and Cowboy Church.
Even though visitors were down from last year, Beals said every bull and heifer in the bull barn sold 18 animals in all.
The bull consignors left happy, he said.
Its still too soon for the hard numbers, but based on the success of vendor sales, programs like the Ag Adventure and the display of the big four tractor out of Monticello, Utah, Beals said this years expo was a hit.
We try to keep our ears open to what the public wants, Beals said. The Ag Adventure for the kids had a great turnout.
He said hundreds of kids went through the educational stations run in part by the Colorado State University.
The presence and clinics of Aaron Ralston were another hit with horse enthusiasts.
Beals said hed like to see the expo grow, and he thinks it will.
Well grow as big as we can for the fairgrounds, and then maybe well help the fairgrounds grow, he said.
Beals said hed like to see more buildings and expansion at the grounds. He added that they have a few ideas up their sleeve for next years expo to make it even better.
Reach Brandon Mathis at brandonm@cortezjournal.com.
