MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The biennial Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show is celebrating its 25th year of showcasing the newest technology and machinery used to advance the South’s timber industry.

With more than 6,000 people from 20 states and two Canadian provinces attending the last show in 2006, this year’s show, scheduled for June 6-7, promises to be just as popular.

The equipment show is the oldest and largest live woods demonstration of forestry equipment in the nation. The latest developments of companies, such as Bandit, Barko, Caterpillar, John Deere, Rotobec, Tigercat and Stribling Equipment, will be on display.

“The Mid-South Forestry Equipment Show offers opportunities for loggers, landowners and foresters to continue their education by attending one of the many lectures offered during the two-day event,” said Charles Burkhardt, show manager and Mississippi State University’s forest supervisor.

A new event this year will provide individuals a chance to see woody biomass conversion into energy. The Woody Biomass: Fueling the Future workshop is scheduled the day before the show June 5.

“Speakers will explain the current state of woody biomass, how to locate it, what equipment is used and a variety of other topics,” said Liam Leightley, MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center interim associate director and workshop organizer. “A full-size mobile biomass gasification and combined heat and power generation unit will also be on display.”

The popular Prentice Loader Championship returns this year to test the skills of timber-industry professionals. Begun in 1972, the loader contest is a timed challenge rewarded with prizes and/or cash.

“Contestants must successfully remove vertical log blocks from a checkerboard and then return them to their original squares,” Burkhardt said. “However, it is harder than it sounds when you are using a log loader to move the blocks.”

The show sponsors a skidder contest, and there is also an area for children that will feature activities such as the Little Folks Skidder Contest, Log Rolling Contest, Sawdust Pile of Prizes, plus many more fun activities.

The event is held on the John W. Starr Memorial Forest off of Highway 25, just south of Starkville. It is sponsored by MSU’s College of Forest Resources, Hatton-Brown Publishers Inc., Mississippi Logger’s Association and the Mississippi Forestry Association.

Preregistration is $10, which includes both days of the show. Admission at the door is $15. Spouses and children under 18 are admitted free with a paid attendee. Go online for registration or more information at http://www.midsouthforestry.org.

Contact: Dr. Liam Leightley, (662) 325-2953