CEDAR FALLS - Sky high commodity prices don't necessarily translate into record profits, but exhibitors at the 21st annual Hawkeye Farm Show are trying to make it happen.

Today is the last chance for producers to see nearly 700 products and services from 200 companies in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, many geared toward saving them money. Cutting skyrocketing input costs while maximizing productivity is the theme the theme of this year's show.

"This year's show exhibitors heavily emphasize strategies for bottom-line improvement," said Penny Swank, manager of the three-day show. "Spiraling energy costs make it imperative to control, manage and market more effectively than ever."

The show bombards attendees with high tech equipment and software and diesel-saving tractors and sprayers. Educational seminars are provided by Iowa State University Extension.

Cash corn is only pennies from reaching $5 per bushel at the East Central Iowa Cooperative based in Hudson, and soybeans have topped $13 per bushel. Farmers Thursday certainly weren't grumbling about commodity prices, but the cost of fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, seed and diesel - and land - are spiraling to historic highs as well. Most inputs, ag experts said, have doubled or tripled in price within the last few years.

Robert Tigner, an ISU farm management specialist based in New Hampton, presented a seminar about managing corn and soybean margins Thursday.

"Price and productivity are important, but not as much as the margin they (farmers) keep for themselves. It goes back to basic economics," Tigner said.

Given today's costs, Tigner expects most Northeast Iowa grain farmers will probably make about $125 to $150 profit per acre. But in Black Hawk and Grundy counties, he said, profit margins shrink to about $50 due to high land costs.

Earl Canfield, who farms near Dunkerton, was on the prowl Thursday for cost-saving ideas. He already uses satellite guidance to precisely plant seeds and apply chemicals. Computers automatically shut off equipment to avoid waste.

Producers who don't strive to improve will be left behind, he said.

"It's a continuing process," Canfield said. "Shows like this tell me what's out there for technology and attachments for equipment."

Brian Meyer of Quality Distributors in Readlyn was hawking a liquid starter fertilizer and an after-market planter applicator. By putting the fertilizer in the furrow with the seed, Meyer says, the nutrients are available when young plants need them most.

Yields will increase, he said, and corn will be drier come harvest time so not as much costly LP gas is needed to run dryers.

"The goal is to maximize products with minimal input costs. That's my job," said Meyer, a certified crop adviser.

Another way for smaller farmers to save money is banding together to order seed to take advantage of volume discounts, Tigner said. Genetically modified corn seed resistant to herbicides and pests may cost a producer planting 5,000 acres $150 per bag, while it will probably cost $75 more per bag for a farmer working 600 acres, Tigner said.

The farm show is free and open to the public, though the University of Northern Iowa charges $3 for parking. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with seminars about grain storage and biofuels at 11 a.m. and corn production two hours later.

Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.