Agricultural Sciences

Ag Progress Days Offers Machinery Demonstrations

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Farmers or homeowners looking to test-drive a new vehicle can cancel trips to car lots and head toward Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 18-20.

By visiting the expanded "ride-and-drive" area, you can test drive and compare the latest full-size tractor models from a variety of manufacturers. Homeowners with large yards or farmers looking to handle small jobs also may be interested in the separate compact lawn and garden tractor ride-and-drive, featuring gasoline- or diesel-powered machines with no more than 35 horsepower engines.

"We'll have products from three manufacturers for compact lawn and garden tractors and products from three manufacturers for full-size diesel tractors," says Bob Oberheim, manager of Ag Progress Days. "Visitors can experience first-hand the latest models and any changes that the tractor companies have made in the last year. The compact lawn and garden tractors are useful for part-time or hobby farmers and for smaller farm jobs such as mowing, pulling a small spreader or hauling bales of hay."

The product lines for compact lawn and garden tractors are John Deere, Cub Cadet and Steiner. The product lines for full-size diesel tractors are New Holland, Case IH and Agco.

The ride-and-drive site, located between 1st Street and Route 45, will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug.18 and 20, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug.19. All operators must be at least 18 years old and sign a waiver of liability. Company representatives will screen operators for eligibility.

In addition to the tractor ride-and-drive, more than 300 commercial exhibitors will display goods and services at Ag Progress Days. Besides tractors and other heavy machinery, their wares range from seed, feed and fertilizer to insurance, consulting services, small power equipment and many other products.

"Visitors can find information on state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge techniques, all in one convenient location," Oberheim says. "Ag Progress Days is one-stop shopping for farmers."

Because machinery accidents are the leading cause of farm injuries and deaths, another demonstration will focus on farm safety. A new attraction is a skid-steer rodeo for tractor operators. In addition, an exhibit of lighting and marking materials for agricultural equipment will be on display. Also, remote-controlled full-scale equipment will undergo mishaps while being operated under typical conditions.

Other planned field demonstrations will focus on corn chopping, silage bagging, sweet corn harvesting, high-moisture hay baling and combining with precision farm equipment.

In addition, various exhibits and workshops will feature information on the latest research-based production techniques, government programs and regulations, and various educational initiatives, ranging from health and safety to forest stewardship.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days features more than 500 acres of educational and commercial exhibits, tours and machinery demonstrations. It 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. Tuesday and Thursday, with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free July 13 through Aug. 20 or visit the Ag Progress Days site on the World Wide Web at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Bob Oberheim at 814-865-2081.

Contacts: John Wall jtw3@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax

Last Updated March 19, 2009