WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo Begins Feb. 8

Feb 07, 2025

The Western Illinois University Ag Mech Farm Expo is back for its 53rd year, running Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9 at Western Hall, presented by the WIU School of Agriculture - Agricultural Mechanization Club.

One of the largest student-run events in the country, The WIU Ag Mech Farm Expo will include displays of farm tractors, machinery, agricultural sales and service, emerging ag technology, livestock and crop supplies, conservation and agriculture structures. There will also be a variety of craft vendors upstairs in Western Hall, as well as free children's activities, including a bouncy house, face painting and glitter tattoos.

The show runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9.

Exhibitors can register for the event until 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 at this link.

Rows A1-F1, west of the west gate, in Q Lot will be closed for the Ag Mech Farm Expo, through Sunday, Feb. 9. All other areas of Q Lot will be open for normal use.

Source : wiu.edu

Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.