The Central Iowa Expo site soon will be filled with agricultural items from as small as a rain gauge to trailers and combines bigger than some dump trucks.
An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 visitors also will be excited to check out the debut of Air Tractor’s AT-802A as an exhibitor at the 71st Farm Progress Show Aug. 27-29 in Boone, Iowa.
Air Tractor said the AT-802A is the biggest single-engine agricultural aircraft, with a payload capacity of more than 9,000 pounds and an 800-gallon hopper.
The ability to take off and land on rough surfaces like grass, dirt and gravel makes landing possible in the show site’s north parking lot.
Show organizers stressed the importance of creating quality experiences for the three-day event.
Farm Progress Show National Director Matt Jungmann said the staff, volunteers and vendors work well together to make the events go smoothly.
“When it’s all said and done, we have over 1,000 people with hands touching to make this all happen,” he said. “We have a small core at FPS that works year-round for the next and future shows. We also have folks who take vacation time near and far from both Boone and Decatur to volunteer or just to hang out for one to three days. It’s kind of a machine we built. We are blessed to have a great team running it all.”
Demonstration crops were growing and site details were being finalized in mid-August.
“We have tents put up and we got some rain this morning, which we needed just for some dust control,” Jungmann said Aug. 15. “Final details are ongoing on field demonstrations and the crops are shaping up perfectly.”
One new area at the show will involve an estimated $30 million worth of “premium pre-owned machinery.” The John Deere equipment will be displayed on site and at Van Wall Equipment in Nevada, Iowa.
Showgoers also will get a chance to reminisce when they wander around Antique Row on the south end of the grounds where the vehicles and machinery exemplify the show’s passion for history.
Crop demonstrations with new tools and equipment offer practical takeaways for visitors. Demonstrations will provide ideas to improve tillage and farm safety, create more efficient office administration and fly drones, and panel discussions will cover experiences with regenerative ag, sustainability planning and more.
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