Expo mag to expand upon content

In response to input from its 80,000 readers worldwide, the World Ag Expo Magazine is adding new content to its upcoming publication, which will be distributed about a month and a half before the 44th annual Expo slated for Feb. 8-10 at the International Agri-Center.

The magazine, which in the past has featured a full section each for exhibitors and products, will expand upon its content to include more news and information, Steve Knudsen, director of communications for the International Agri-Center, said Thursday.

The magazine will be anchored by articles focused on five specific topics: “Animal Agriculture in 2020 — Fast forwarding the next decade of husbandry;” “Water — Liquid gold, making every drop count;” “Immigration Reform — The faces of ag economics;” “Global Trade — Growing stability in a perishable marketplace;” and “Farm Bill and U.S. Agriculture Legislation — Legislating a grassroots marketplace.”

“All of these issues are very hot in the media right now,” Knudsen said. “We believe they’ll still be hot come February.”

The Expo’s seminars will focus on the same topics, Knudsen said.

“Lots of ag expos offer a place to visit,” he said, “but we want to offer a place for our attendees to come and learn.”

Knudsen said a survey was conducted in late February to get feedback from readers, who wanted to see more educational issues in future publications.

“We believe it will be a real value to the people who read our magazine,” he said.

Knudsen said he and Expo staffers looked at 15 potential topics before selecting the aforementioned set.

“These are the types of issues readers are looking for,” he said.

Of the magazine’s 80,000 readers, 20,000 are from California.

Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049 or aschultz@portervillerecorder.com.