UNIVERSITY PARK – Agricultural producers who attend Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 18-20 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs will find a supermarket of technology, advice, goods and services. That’s according to Ag Progress Days manager Bob Oberheim, who said the event will be a one-stop shop for farmers and others involved in commercial agriculture.
“With more than 400 exhibitors expected, producers who come to Ag Progress Days can learn, shop and compare all in one place,” Oberheim said. “Under normal circumstances, it could take days or weeks traveling to different vendors to see such a wide variety of equipment and products.”
Oberheim said visitors can browse anything from crop-production machinery and dairy equipment to animal housing, feed, seed and fertilizer. They also can talk to representatives of lenders, insurance firms, crop consultants and other business services.
Weather permitting, some of the latest models of farm equipment will be featured in daily field machinery demonstrations, which will showcase hay mowers at 10:30 a.m., corn choppers at 11:30 a.m., hay rakes and tedders at 1:30 p.m., hay balers at 2 p.m. and bale-handling equipment at 3 p.m.
Visitors also will learn about the safe operation of machinery and equipment at the farm safety demonstration area, where safety specialists will utilize tractors, ATVs and chainsaws to illustrate safety hazards and emergency-response measures for farm woodlot owners and first-responders.
In addition to goods and services, producers can see exhibits and talk to Penn State faculty and extension educators about issues and practices related to dairy, livestock and crop production, animal health, soil conservation, water quality, and sources of ag renewable energy such as biogas, biodiesel and ethanol.
Horse enthusiasts and owners also can get the latest information on tack and equipment, training, handling, health and business practices at the Ag Progress Days Equine Experience.
Sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 18; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 20. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.psu.edu online.