Commercial Exhibits, Field Demos Are a Staple of Penn State’s Ag Progress Days

Farmers and others involved in production agriculture looking to explore the latest agricultural goods, services, equipment and technology can find everything they need at Penn State’s 2024 Ag Progress Days.

The event will be held Aug. 13-15 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, Centre County.

The event will feature more than 400 commercial and educational exhibits, along with various field demonstrations and workshops. Exhibitors will cover nearly every product category, including field machinery, milking systems, animal genetics, storage structures, feed, tools, trailers, sprayers, mixers, livestock housing, utility vehicles, fertilizers, fencing, financial products and insurance. Crop producers also can meet leaders in seed production and discover the latest hybrids available.

“Ag Progress Days is a celebration of agricultural progress and innovation,” said show manager Jesse Darlington. “Attendees can discover how Penn State’s research and extension programs are inspiring transformative change for the betterment of society. We appreciate the support from producers, industry professionals and the public.”

Field demonstrations allow potential buyers to see and compare equipment in action, such as hay mowers, rakes and tedders, hay balers, and bale handlers. A new demonstration this year will feature corn planters. Following is the daily field demo schedule:

— 10:30 a.m. Hay Mowing and Tedding

— 11:45 a.m. Cover Crop/Planting Green

— 12:30 p.m. Corn Planting

— 2:15 p.m. Hay Baling, Raking and Bale Handling

Also planned are demonstrations of working drones, ATV safety and agricultural rescue practices.

Darlington said free, daily research tours again will allow visitors to see production and management practices being studied by Penn State researchers at the surrounding, 2,400-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. Tour attendees are transported by bus, but most tours require some walking or standing. Topics will include equine pastures and dry lots, forest management, and a newly developed stream buffers tour.

Darlington encourages producers attending Ag Progress Days to ask Penn State faculty specialists and extension educators questions and talk with experts about the latest research findings, best practices, business issues and governmental regulations that could affect their operations. Information will be available on dairy, livestock and crop production; animal health; soil conservation; water quality; and ag renewable energy.

Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, 9 miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 14; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15. Admission and parking are free.