MOULTRIE, Ga. — The approach of middle age often means slowing down and taking it easy, but for Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition that is not the case.

The 39th edition of the annual farm show that brings visitors to Moultrie by the tens of thousands starts today. However, the three-day show that runs Oct. 18-20, doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of getting long in the tooth.

“We’re going to be 1,200-plus again this year,” Expo Executive Director Chip Blalock said on the eve of launching the 2016 version. “That’s a testimony to exhibitors (knowing) that Expo helps them showcase their technology” even in a year when the farm economy is having a down year.

Gates open at 8:30 a.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday, closing on 5 p.m. the first two days and at 4 p.m. on the final afternoon.

This year, Blalock said, farm technology will be among the expected highlights. It’s not that new technology is coming, so much as the refinement and combination of existing gadgetry that is available to today’s farmers.

“We seem to build on technology year after year after year,” Blalock said. “It’s neat to get in a tractor and see it has more buttons instead of levers. Some of these tractors don’t even have gas pedals.”

That’s possible because GPS systems can plow, plant and then harvest crops, steering a tractor much more accurately than even the best drivers.

That technology can be integrated today to help the farmer from planting to marketing, Blalock said.

“We feel like if the farmer will take the time, they will find something to help their bottom line,” he said.

Also tucked in the acres of exhibition and demonstration fields are places to try out smaller tractors and Dodge, Ford and GMC trucks.

That driving range will feature new compact and utility tractors with models from several manufacturers. The equipment in the section is geared to small horsepower models suitable for use on small acreage farms and to handle specific jobs on large commercial farms.

“Compact tractors are one sector of the market that has maintained an increase in sales in 2016,” Blalock said.

Tickets for the show are $10 for one day for visitors 11 and older. Children 10 and under are admitted free with a parent.

Multi-day admission tickets are available for $20.

Expo will have six-passenger golf carts operating throughout. Sponsored by American Farm Bureau Federation, they will travel north-south on the east and west sides of the grounds for those who need a lift getting between distant points.

Shuttles also are available from parking lots into the grounds. Expo allows visitors who need help moving through the grounds to use their own wheelchairs or handicap scooters. It also provides on-site rental at Gate 3 of handicap scooters and manual wheelchairs.

“We look forward to the world coming to Expo and the latest technology coming with our exhibitors.