Construction, Land Clearing, Forestry All Focus of Southern Farm Show

While most people know the Southern Farm Show in Raleigh, N.C., is the largest annual farm equipment show to be found in the Carolinas and Virginia, they do not always know it also is the largest annual construction equipment exposition for the three-state region.

According to David Zimmerman, show manager, it has not always been that way.

"It has evolved over the years for many reasons," he said. "One is that many farmers also do grading and excavation work on the side or as their second job. Two is that many full-time construction professionals come to the show because they grew up in farming communities and still have land or small farms. Three is that construction equipment is used in land clearing and forestry, both important components of agriculture in North Carolina. Finally, four is that there's been a need for a regional show focusing on construction equipment, and the Southern Farm Show has filled that need."

The great majority of the construction-related equipment at the show focuses on grading, excavating and land clearing equipment. Grading and excavation brands on display at the show will include JCB, Bobcat, Yanmar, New Holland, Takeuchi, LiuGong, Kubota, Sunward, AUSA, Hyundai, John Deere, Manitou, Kioti, KOBELCO and ASV. Other construction brands on display include Multiquip, Ditch Witch, Rubble Crusher and Virnig.

Company Wrench will invite qualified show guests try out the latest KOBELCO excavators at its demonstration area. KOBELCO factory representatives will be on hand to help those 21 and older understand how the excavators operate and give them tips for smooth operation.

There also will be a skills challenge with prizes for the best operators. Company Wrench's traditional space at the show also will expand this year. the company will be showing off the latest equipment from Kolbeco, JCB and Prinoth. Both Prinoth carrier vehicles and attachment models will be on display.

The land clearing and forestry industries also will be on display at the year's show. Exhibits focusing on these industries can be found throughout the show but will mainly be found on the Midway area of the show near the show entrance.

Mulcher manufacturers including Fecon, FAE, Blue Diamond, Baumalight, Loftness, Wallenstein, Green-Tec, Denis Cimaf, Shearex, Prinroth, Brush Hound, Seppi, Femac, Rubble Crusher, Gyro-Trac, Freedom and TMC Canela will all be on display.

For attendees who harvest and process timber, there also will be a good selection of portable sawmills and firewood processing equipment being demonstrated at the show. Portable sawmill brands will include Wood-Mizer, Norwood and Lucas. Log splitting lines attendees will be able to see in action will include DYNA and Woody.

The show also features a large selection of trailers for hauling equipment and other needs. Dealers on hand will include Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel, Pinnacle Trailer Sales, Double C Trailers, Kraftsman Trailers, Kauffman Trailers, Nolan Manufacturing, H&H Farm Supply, Smith Farm Trailer Sales, TJ's Trailers and Capps Trailers.

Scheduled for Feb. 4-6, 2026, the Southern Farm Show will again fill most of the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. In addition to more than 400 exhibiting companies, the show includes many ag meetings, including pesticide continuing education sessions for North Carolina license holders; lumberjack shows, a draft horse pull and blue grass entertainment also are popular show features.

For more information, visit SouthernFarmShow.com.