American Agriculturist Logo

Penn State's Ag Progress Days runs Aug. 13-15 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center.

June 26, 2019

3 Min Read
Ag Progress Days is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exhibition and one of the largest in the Northeast. This ye
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS: Ag Progress Days is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exhibition and one of the largest in the Northeast. This year’s show runs Aug. 13-15. Photos by Chris Torres

A new, small-scale farming demonstration and a livestock watering system demonstration are among the highlights of this year’s Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs, Pa.

The event runs Aug. 13-15 at Penn State’s Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. Show times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 13; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 14; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 15.

Several new demonstrations will be available at this year’s show.

Vegetable growers will be interested in a new display focusing on how beds are pulled and covered with plastic, including the laying and removal, and irrigation techniques. Equipment will show how transplants are inserted in raised beds and maintained.

The plot is located on Demo Alley at the end of West 10 & 11th Streets. Visit the Vegetable Tent to meet with exhibitors providing this type of equipment.

A solar-powered watering system will also be on display. Visitors will be able to talk to staff about conservation needs on the farm and where a solar-powered irrigation system might fit.

A solar-powered watering system by the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be outside the J.D. Harrington Building at Ag Progress Days
SOLAR WATER POWER: A solar-powered watering system by the Natural Resources Conservation Service will be outside the J.D. Harrington Building at Ag Progress Days.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service display will be outside the J.D. Harrington Building.  

Organizers are still finalizing the complete list of tours that will available to visitors this year, but here are a few of note:

Hops research and hopyards tour

As plant protection technology and research has improved, products and varieties of hops exist that can grow well in Pennsylvania.

This tour will look at Penn State's hopyard and the effort to evaluate these varieties for yield and quality characteristics. Equipment used in small-scale hops production will also be on hand.

There will be a hops research presentation at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Family Learning Center, and Thursday in the College Theater just before the tour leaves at 1 p.m. The tour lasts one hour.

Stream buffers

Learn about the 3 P's of tree establishment — preparation, planting and protection — to increase tree survival and reduce competition from invasive weeds.

See demonstration livestock practices such as fencing and stream crossings, and learn about available financial assistance programs.

Learn how to plant native grass fields to increase sustainability and help declining pollinators and beneficial insects.

The tour will be held each day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Managing livestock pasture with alternative forages

This tour features hands-on activities with cattle on pastures.

Producers will leave with an understanding of paddock fencing and water system components, with an in-depth discussion on field practices and evaluation of cover crop mixes by looking at rooting structure and soil health indicators.

High-stock density grazing will be demonstrated with a small herd of Angus cattle.

Presenters will also talk about the use of alternative forages and diverse cover crops to transform mediocre fields into highly productive ones.

There will also be a discussion on soil health principles for both cropping and livestock operations using a rainfall simulator demonstration. 

The tour is 90 minutes long and will be held Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

For more information on Ag Progress Days go to agsci.psu.edu/apd.

Source: Penn State University, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like