Corn Maturity Hampers Field Demonstrations at Farm Progress Show

A cool and wet spring that delayed planting, followed by a cool summer, has forced the Farm Progress Show to cancel the field demonstrations normally held during the show. The 60th annual Farm Progress Show will take place Aug. 27, 28 and 29 in Decatur, Ill. “Despite the best efforts of our host farmers, field demonstration corn planting was delayed due to the wet/cold spring; most of the corn was planted on May 15,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events manager. “Had temperatures through June and July been average to above average, we would have had no problem harvesting corn in normal moisture ranges. Decatur is almost 200 heat units behind normal. According to WAND, a local television station, this summer is running an average of 11.4 degrees below normal and 17 inches ahead on rainfall.”

Record-breaking Crowds Anticipated

Forty acres of corn located north of the exhibit field will be chopped off prior to the show. This area will then be used for overflow parking and tiling demonstrations. Due to anticipated record crowds, Farm Progress Show organizers are anticipating the need for additional parking. Tiling demonstrations, organized by the Illinois Land Improvement Contractor’s Association, will also take place in this area. For a schedule of when tiling demonstrations will take place, check with the Information Booths on site.

Equipment Runway Show

To satisfy all the field demonstration enthusiasts, a Runway Show will feature equipment from the field demonstrations. The Runway Show will be located north of the Annex and will include major equipment manufacturers such as AGCO, Case IH, New Holland, Claas and John Deere, and many more. Companies participating in the Runway Show will have an opportunity to talk about their machines in front of the crowd. Harvesting equipment will start the Runway Shows at 11 a.m.; precision equipment will take the stage at 1 p.m. and tillage equipment will wrap up the day at 2 p.m.

 Watch for Hoosier Ag Today coverage of the Farm Progress show beginning next week.