Reporter’s Notebook: Farm Progress Show

While a good pair of rain boots might have been the best find at this year’s rainy Farm Progress Show, weather isn’t the only thing that stood out. Hundreds of companies attended the show, and several were the talk of the week. Here’s what farmers talked about this year that seemed to stand out:

• Farmers learned that tractors can float. Mitas Ag Tires proved this when a New Holland T4. 110 tractor equipped with Mitas flotation tires floated down an 8’ deep waterway and back. Greg Peterson, “Machinery Pete,” got a first-hand experience with the new tires. Check out his wild ride here.
• Guinness World Records were broken during the show.
  • First, Claas announced its world-record achievement for the greatest acres of hay harvested in the shortest amount of time. Machine operator, Tate Mesbergen from Colorado claimed this record with the Class Disco 1100 RC harvesting machine. He cut afalfa hay 35’ wide at 19 mph, for a new record of 348.7 acres harvested in eight hours, beating the previous record of 242 acres in eight hours.

(Video courtesy of Claas)

• • Corteva Agriscience also claimed a new world record during the show. With magician Scott Tokar, attendees view the “Farthest Teleportation Illusion.” Tokar transported his assistant from the Corteva Agriscience tent to the Pioneer tent—more than 936’ away. An adjudicator with Guinness World Records was there to authenticate the event.
• Fendt showcased its Ideal Combine at this show. With many bells and whistles, it gathered a crowd. Check Out Machinery Pete’s recent post about the machine when he saw it at the Canada Farm Progress Show.
• GSI announced its Flexwave technology nearly a year ago, but farmers got to see the technology first-hand at the show. It uses two large liners that alternately inflate and deflate to push remaining grain into a central conveyor belt. The intent is for it to be a truly no-entry grain bin system.

What were your highlights of the 2018 show?