UNIVERSITY PARK — The latest in farming products, services, equipment and technology will be on full display during this year’s Ag Progress Days.
The agricultural expo, hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will take place Aug. 12-14 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, Centre County.
Show Manager Jesse Darlington said this year’s expo is shaping up to be one of the best, featuring hundreds of commercial and educational exhibits, as well as various field demonstrations and workshops — all designed to help producers maintain and enhance productivity, sustainability and profitability.
“Ag Progress Days is all about celebrating how far agriculture has come and where it’s headed,” said Jesse Darlington, show manager. “It’s a chance for folks to see how Penn State’s research and extension work is helping to create real, positive change. We’re thankful for the support we get from farmers, ag professionals and our local communities.”
Exhibitors will cover a wide range of product categories, 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.
Field demonstrations enable potential buyers to see and compare equipment in action, including hay mowers, rakes, tedders, hay balers and bale handlers. 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 chopping and litter spreaders
— 2:15 p.m., hay baling, raking and bale handling
Also planned are demonstrations of drone sprayers. Health and safety presentations will focus on lawn mower safety, agricultural rescue and the “Stop the Bleed” program. The student Penn State Pullers and the Agribot Club will showcase a few of their projects.
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 engage with Penn State faculty specialists and extension educators to ask questions and discuss 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. 12; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 13; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free.
For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. X users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #agprogressdays, and the event also can be found on Facebook (@AgProgressDays).
