Free Seminars

Aside from browsing through literally thousands of products on display at the show, you are invited to attend free seminars and television program tapings that cover everything from how to improve your growing methods to the latest marketing trends in today's industry.

Below is a list of the 2010 seminars:

Wednesday, Feb. 10

10 a.m. -- Agronomic Clinic with Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

11:30 a.m. -- Market and Weather Strategies presented by DTN, South Wing C 101-104.

1 p.m. -- Strategies for Tighter Margins, panel hosted by top producer presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

2:30 p.m. -- Marketing Outlook Seminar with Bob Utterback, Farm Journal Economist presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

4 p.m. -- "What's New at the Show-Guidance for Steering Implements" presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing C 108.

Thursday, Feb. 11

8:30 a.m. -- "Market and Weather Strategies" presented by DTN, South Wing C 101-104.

10 a.m. -- Marketing Outlook Seminar with Bob Utterback, Farm Journal Economist presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

11:30 a.m. -- Sustainability/Can Farmers Still Feed the World presented by DTN, South Wing C 101-104.

1 p.m. -- "What's New at the Show - Strip-Tillage and Zone-Tillage Equipment, Part I" presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing C 108.

2:30 p.m. -- Live Market Roundtable Taping of "U.S. Farm Report" presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

4 p.m. -- "What's New at the Show - Strip-Tillage and Zone Tillage Equipment, Part II" presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing C 108.

Friday, Feb. 12

8:30 a.m. -- "Market and Weather Strategies" presented by DTN, South Wing C 101-104.

10 a.m. -- Agronomic Clinic with Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Associate Field Agronomist presented by Farm Journal, South Wing B 105.

11:30 a.m. -- Grow Championship Corn Yields presented by DTN, South Wing C 101-104.

1 p.m. -- "What's New at the Show - High-Horsepower, Row-Crop Tractors" presented by Farm Industry News, South Wing C 108.

Making History at the

Championship Tractor Pull

Officially introduced to the world in 1969 during the fourth National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS), the Championship Tractor Pull is now celebrating 41 years of making champions. The competition had been a vision of its originator, Billy Joe Miles, and was so popular in its first year that 15 drivers signed up to compete in the inaugural pull before it was officially established.

Today the pull remains a counterpart to the much larger NFMS, but the CTP has since transformed into a premiere event of its own. For 41 years, Freedom's Hall's basketball court has converted into a championship dirt track to showcase some of the nation's best drivers in fierce pulling competition. Each year, a short list of pullers etch their names in history as they become part of an elite group of drivers earning a national championship title. With more than 75,000 fans packing Freedom Hall to experience five pulse-pounding performances in four days, the nation's oldest indoor tractor pull has a vivid history to share with its loyal supporters.

* In 1969, Miles (Owensboro, Ky.) created the CTP's tractor pulling organization -- WBHM -- a name created from the original member's initials. The other members were Jerry Baird (Utica, Ky.), Carl Mercer (Utica, Ky.), Donnie Bittel (Owensboro, Ky.), Joe England (Madisonville, Ky.) and Walter Harder II (Whiteville, Ky.). Those original members are still active behind the scenes during the pull, but the organization has grown to include additional members.

* Popular WAVE radio and TV personality, Jack Crowner, was the voice of the CTP from 1969-1986. Lloyd Douglas, a competitor in the first CTP, and Butch Krieger, the current CTP announcer, later joined Crowner as announcers.

* Sixty-six tractors competed in three classes (5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 pound tractors) in the first Championship Tractor Pull in 1969.

* In 1970, the pull expanded from one to two days and the classes were reorganized to include 5,000, 9,000, 12,000 and 15,000 pound tractors. The two-night event drew an attendance of more than 23,000.

* In just five years, the CTP prize money increased from $5,700 to more than $20,000 for the 1973 pull.

* The first truck class (6,000 pound 4 wd trucks) was added in 1977. This addition helped the pull sell out for the first time in the CTP's history, when more than 64,000 fans attended the four-day event.

* In 1978, the pull sold out for the second year in a row; however, this time it sold out weeks before the competition. The prize money also increased to $64,150.

* Two new classes were added in 1979 (5,500 pound tractors and 6,500 pound modified 4 wd gas powered trucks). Multi-engine modifieds were later added, drawing competitors who use anything and everything to boost power, including Allison Aircraft Engines

* A Saturday matinee was added in 1980 to offer 4-H and FFA members a better opportunity to attend a pull.

* In the early 1980s, Jerry Baird developed a measurement system using laser beams and a computer program to accurately record the distances pulled.

* In 1980, Dan Cristiani began building, repairing and removing the dirt track for the CTP. He and his crew are still making and maintaining the championship dirt track today.

* Also, in 1980, Butch Krieger began his work with the CTP as a roving interviewer. He later became the announcer, a position he still holds today.

* Drivers pulled for a record $111,150 in total prize money in 1981, including as much as $2,000 in the 14,000-pound Super Stock and 4 WD Farm Tractor classes.

* The first 2 wd truck class rolled on the track during the Saturday evening pull in 1982.

* Numerous safety changes have taken place throughout the pull's 40 years. The drivers' attire now consists of fireproof suits and racing helmets. Freedom Hall underwent a major renovation in 1984, providing much improved lighting and ventilation -- as well as new scoreboards and additional seating. The chain rope that separated the first row of seats from the track was replaced with a concrete barrier. Kill switches were initiated by WBHM at the CTP, and neutral lights, which indicate whether or not the pulling vehicle is in gear, were also added.

* Other features -- including scatter shields on flywheels, wheelie bars and a second draw bar -- are among the many safety precautions used by WBHM. Seat belts were introduced in the late 1980s for the sled operators, who were then sitting on the back of the sled. Today's operators have a much safer perch on the top of the sleds.

* Since 1993, the top drivers in each class have gone on to compete in the finals championship held on Saturday evening.

* The prize money awarded to the winners has also increased. The continued participation of the CTP's sponsor, Syngenta (and its predecessors), has allowed the prize money to balloon from $5,700 in 1969 all the way to $209,700 for this year's pull.

CTP competition has changed quite a bit since its 1969 introduction, but the raw power and ground-pounding excitement of these amazing machines continues to bring enthusiastic crowds to Freedom Hall, the longtime home of the CTP.

2010 Championship Tractor Pull

Class Schedule

* All classes are subject to change

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. -- 10,200 Pound Pro Stock Tractors; 8,200 Pound Super Stock Tractors; 7,500 Pound Modified Tractors.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. -- 9,300 Pound Super Farm Tractors; 6,200 Pound 2WD Super Modified Trucks; 8,000l Pound Super Stock Alcohol Tractors.

Friday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. -- 9,300 Pound Super Farm Tractors; 6,200 Pound 2WD Super Modified Trucks; 10,200 Pound Pro Stock Tractors.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. -- 6,200 Pound 4x4 Modified Trucks; 6,400 Pound Lightweight Super Stock Alcohol Tractors; 10,200 Pound Pro Stock Tractors

Finals -- Saturday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. -- 6,200 Pound 2WD Super Modified Trucks; 7,500 Pound Modified Tractors; 10,200 Pound Pro Stock Tractors; 8,000 Pound Super Stock Alcohol Tractors; 9,300 Pound Super Farm Tractors; 8,200 Pound Super Stock Tractors.

Directions

The Kentucky Exposition Center is located at the junction of I-65 and I-264 in Louisville. Signs reading "Fair/Expo Center" on both interstates lead to the main gate. Visitors may want to beat the traffic by entering Gates 2 and 4 on Crittenden Drive or Gate 6 on Preston Highway. Visitors traveling from out of state will find getting to the Kentucky Exposition Center easy as we are located just minutes from the Louisville International Airport.