Agricultural Sciences

Ag Progress Days a valuable business trip for producers

University Park, Pa. -- A diversity of technology, goods and services will greet agricultural producers who attend Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 19-21 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs.

With more than 400 exhibitors expected, the event is a great opportunity for farmers and others involved in commercial agriculture to learn, shop and compare, according to Ag Progress Days manager Bob Oberheim.

"Producers who come to Ag Progress Days have an opportunity to see a wide variety of equipment and products -- anything from machinery and dairy equipment to animal housing, feed, seed and fertilizer,” Oberheim said. "They also can talk to representatives of lenders, insurance firms, crop consultants and other business services.

"It really is one-stop shopping, which can save farmers a lot of the time and gas that they otherwise would have to burn traveling to different vendors to comparison shop," he added. "In one day, they can evaluate models and brands that might not be readily available in their home area.”

Ag Progress Days visitors will be able to see some of these models and brands in action. Weather permitting, daily field machinery demonstrations will feature the latest hay mowers (10:30 a.m.), no-till planters (11:30 a.m.), hay rakes and tedders (1:30 p.m.), hay balers (2 p.m.) and bale-handling equipment (3 p.m.).

The safe operation of machinery and equipment also will be a focus at Ag Progress Days. The Farm Safety Demonstration Area will utilize remote-controlled all-terrain vehicles -- ATVs are widely used as utility vehicles on farms -- to illustrate safety hazards and emergency-response measures for operators 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 state Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 19; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.psu.edu.

EDITORS: Contact Bob Oberheim at (814) 692-5262 or by e-mail at rlo1@psu.edu.
 

Last Updated March 19, 2009