MOULTRIE, Ga. — In a couple of week, Colquitt County will host the Farm Show Council Meeting — a gathering of farm show managers from around the nation as well as international representation.

Farm shows are held all over the world. Given that food production is a common denominator among nations, it’s not unusual that those who develop and promote better agronomic practices want to swap notes.

And so on May 1-2, Colquitt County’s Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will host this gathering at Spence Field. Farm show representatives from as far away as New Zealand and Europe will join those from the U.S. and Canada.

“We evaluate our shows every five years,” said Sunbelt Expo Director Chip Blalock.

Blalock said the council is comprised of 25 different shows. There will be 40 to 50 representatives  on hand for the 2017 event.

Blalock said the council is very prestigious. You don’t just sign up and join. You have to have produced a minimum of three major  shows, and then you are evaluated by the council. Standards are high, said Blalock.

The Sunbelt Expo here in Moultrie has become renown worldwide with both domestic and foreign exhibitors each year. The show is unique in that it is non-static. It’s more than displays. Visitors can watch corn being harvested with the latest equipment, and they can gather incredible data on varieties, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers relative to that production.

The last time the Sunbelt Expo was the host of the council was in 2000.

“People are still talking about that meeting,” said Blalock. “We are a world leader in agricultural research.”

Shortly after the council meeting, the annual Sunbelt Field Day will be held on July 13. The Field Day is a prelude to the upcoming Sunbelt Expo held each year in mid-October.

“Our research with the University of Georgia and in conjunction with corporate ag entities will be on display,” said Blalock.

Corn is already up and growing for Field Day examination. Peanuts and cotton will be planted in May for display at the Expo in October.

Corn, cotton peanuts, soybeans, forage crops, Bermuda grass and alfalfa plots will be groomed for the big show.

Blalock said Bermuda grass plots will be increased so that they will last through the Expo. Also, with more and more attention to forages, much research is being done with alfalfa.

“We’ve learned that alfalfa doesn’t like the humidity of this area nor the heat. We’ve about got a handle on the heat problem, but the heavy moisture issue is still a challenge,” he said.

North of Macon, one can find significant alfalfa crops. And researchers are hoping that in the near future, this forage will be adapted to conditions south of Macon.

“The beauty of alfalfa is that you can drill it in November and cut it in April with several cuttings through the summer,” Blalock added.

There are a number of varieties of Bermuda grass that are a mainstay of forages in South Georgia. Blalock said the development of various Bermuda grass varieties has come a long way since Coastal Bermuda was the standby.

In 2009, the cropland at Expo was designated the Darrell Williams Research Farm in honor of the late Williams who was the Expo farm manager for many years. The variety and diversity of research has put a world spotlight on the Sunbelt Expo.

Highlights of some of the latest research include efforts to control what is known as “pigweed.” It’s a formidable opponent to South Georgia farmers. Blalock said much progress has been made in spraying for this invasive plant. But he said spray drift remains a big issue, given the heavy vegetable production that can be harmed by the spray.

Colquitt County is the largest vegetable producer in the state with spring and fall crops. Vegetable production here runs the gamut from melons and peppers to cabbage, squash, beans, cucumbers, turnips, kale and other crops.

This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Sunbelt Expo. Exhibitors will be honored this year. Blalock said 35 exhibitors have been with the show from the outset.

Tennessee will the spotlight state for 2017 and in 2018 Kentucky will be honored.