
The Farm Progress Show wrapped up its 2019 run last week in Decatur, Ill., with some of the largest crowds the show has ever seen, plus some of the best weather.
Following a half inch of rain that fell on Monday, Aug. 26, and made for a dreary setup day, the skies cleared and temperatures cooled — ideal for visitors to walk the 90-acre exhibit field and check out more than 600 exhibits.
“That rain meant we couldn’t hold field demonstrations on Tuesday, but it also brought a cool front that paved the way for perfect conditions on Wednesday and Thursday,” says Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director.
Farmers showed up in a big way for those demonstrations, lining up behind the safety rope dozens deep — and behind them, golf cars with more visitors angling for a view. The autonomous tractor was especially popular, as it pulled a grain cart for a single pass without losing a single kernel.
Back on the exhibit field, Jungmann says the exhibits themselves really stole the show, with exhibitors putting big efforts into creating beautiful displays. Visitors flocked to see new tractors, the new Morton Buildings house and new grain storage exhibits.
It takes an army to put on a show of this magnitude, and Jungmann credits law enforcement, emergency medical services, parking officials and more for their work. “There are hundreds and hundreds of people devoted to making the show successful, and we couldn’t do it without them,” he adds.
Next year’s Farm Progress Show will be held Sept. 1-3 in Boone, Iowa. Check out the slideshow below to see photos from this year’s event.
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<p>Combines and auger wagons rolled across the field Aug. 28 in front of massive crowds at the Farm Progress Show. The 77-day corn came in at 150 bushels per acre and 26% moisture.</p>
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<p>Tuesday, Aug. 27, brought clear skies, following rain on Monday — perfect weather as visitors walked through more than 600 exhibits on the 90-acre exhibit field in Decatur, Ill.</p>
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<p>Look, Ma … no hands and no driver. SmartAg’s autonomous tractor and grain cart wowed crowds at the end of field demos on Aug. 28, making a pass without losing a single kernel.</p>
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<p>Crowds turned out to see combines of every color roll through the fields.</p>
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<p>U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue came to the show Aug. 28 and visited with host farmers David and Dawn Brix.</p>
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<p>Tractors and tillage tools showed off their work Aug. 28.</p>
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<p>Every year, the Farm Progress Show welcomes more than 2,000 FFA members, who come to see the latest in agriculture.</p>
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<p>A perennial favorite, Max Armstrong hosted a show every day on the Case IH lot.</p>
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<p>This team of Farm Progress editors spent three days scouring the grounds looking for new products. Look for their stories to start appearing online soon. They are Austin Keating (left), Tom Bechman, Shelley Huguley and Mindy Ward.</p>
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<p>On the way in, FPS visitors could grab a bag and a program packed full of information and directions.</p>
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<p>All across the exhibit field, farmers met with companies and manufacturers to get answers to their biggest questions.</p>
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<p>Every morning, Wyffels Hybrids sponsored the opening ceremonies, including a flag raising and national anthem performance.</p>
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<p>FPS visitors streamed onto the show grounds following opening ceremonies on Aug. 28.</p>
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<p>Farmers lined the field demonstration area to get the best look at the latest equipment.</p>
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<p>Equipment was ready and waiting the first morning of the show.</p>
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<p>Every day, Farm Progress market analyst Bryce Knorr shared the latest on markets and outlooks in the Hospitality Building.</p>
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<p>The Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association and Marathon held a mock gas pipeline strike — complete with mock victims — Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 to help raise awareness for calling 811 before laying field tile. While the boom wasn’t as dramatic as planned, organizers hoped the message would still carry.</p>
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<p>USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told host farmers David and Dawn Brix that soil isn’t this dark back home in Georgia, and tillage demos proved him true. Farmers came out to watch a variety of tillage tools run across harvested ground the last two afternoons of the show.</p>
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<p>Country music singer and songwriter Easton Corbin stopped by the Hospitality Building to share his new song, written for the grain entrapment film “Silo.”</p>
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<p>The Fendt combine was a popular spot for farmers aiming to get a closer look.</p>
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<p>Matt Jungmann (left), Farm Progress national events director, stopped by the Hospitality Building to visit with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson on Aug. 29.</p>
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<p>Morton Buildings’ house and farmstead was a popular exhibit all week, as visitors examined the structure and siding, printed to look like barnwood.</p>
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<p>International visitors come to the show from more than 50 countries, and so, too, do their media outlets. Here, a broadcasting team from Brazil records footage from atop the John Deere exhibit.</p>
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<p>Farmers brought their questions to GSI’s exhibit, too, looking for expert advice.</p>
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<p>Cars continued to stream into the grounds at 10 a.m. Aug. 28.</p>
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<p>Combines are lined up, ready to take their turn in the field demonstrations.</p>
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<p>The Case IH combine took one of the first passes in the field demonstrations.</p>
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<p>U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took the Case IH Quadtrac and a disk ripper for a pass prior to field demonstrations on Aug. 28.</p>
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<p>Cellphone cameras got a workout during field demonstrations.</p>
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<p>A new hemp information area was popular for farmers looking to learn more about the crop.</p>
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<p>Colleen Callahan, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, stopped by the Hospitality Building to talk with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson on Aug. 29.</p>
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<p>FPS visitors found themselves asking, “Tent? Or building?” Corteva’s exhibit pushed the limits of a temporary display, and visitors came to check it out.</p>
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<p>FPS show staff and editors thank every visitor for coming to the show this year — and we hope to see you next year in Boone, Iowa, Sept. 1-3!</p>