Farm Progress Show

A Photographic Tour by John Schomburg

The 2004 Farm Progress Show was held in Alleman, IA from August 31 ‚ September 2, 2004.  I went to the show to see the equipment displays and field demonstrations. 

When making a loop through the grounds, the common answer for the desired destination for show goers is the machinery exhibits. Hundreds of different equipment and accessory dealers offer an up close and personal view of some of the latest technology for farmers today.

If you only had one word to describe the equipment featured at this year's show, it would be BIG. The star of the show was the new Lexion 590R combine with a 16 row corn head.

Attendees were impressed with a range of products from a 36-row corn planter, new Massey-Ferguson and McCormick tractors, the array of grain and hay handling machines, and the overall variety from the different companies.

The lineup of new equipment put to work at the Farm Progress Show boggles the mind of the first-time visitor. As heavy machines make their way through the field this year, visitors crowd around to get a good look at how tools work.

At the tillage demo, farmers formed a wall as machinery worked the field. From big rippers to chisel plows to sophisticated combination units, producers could get up close and personal with these new machines.

Combines were working the corn as well,  with moisture ranging from 30 to 35%, the machines got through the crop smoothly offering producers a good idea of how these harvesters would work on real farms.

Below are some of the exciting new equipment for 2004 on display at the Farm Progress Show.  

There were plenty of classic tractors on display at the show.  The farm Progress Show likes to highlight its 51 year history of introducing modern farm equipment and the vintage machines help show tractor history through five decades.