A lot of people come to the Farm Progress Show to see something they’ve never seen before. Matt Jungmann, national shows director, says this year, those folks need to check out the FBi Buildings exhibit.

All day for three days, the company will be raising and lowering a new building using its Qlyft system for constructing pole buildings.

The system uses hydraulic cylinders, I-beams, scissors-lift technology and safety nets to allow the crew to assemble a complete roof on the ground, build and attach the wall frames with hinges, and then raise the whole structure into place hydraulically — all in about 15 minutes.

“This is the biggest innovation in pole building since the pole,” Jungmann says. “It’s a totally different way to construct the pole building. I’m thinking this will be one of the can’t-miss things of the show in 2021.”

Located on the southwest corner of the exhibit field, the building being constructing — and deconstructed — will be the future farm shop for Richland Community College’s ag program.

“It’s going to put a good foundation together for Richland, which is exciting in the long run. We have a great partnership between FBi, Richland and the Farm Progress Show,” Jungmann adds. “There’s just more potential when you have an ag program right there at the show site.”

FBi pioneered the new construction process with a couple of ideas in mind. First, it makes for a better-quality building with a longer lifespan. Walls are built laying out beside the building, hinged to the roof. Wiring and gutters are all installed on the ground. Second, it’s safer for the folks constructing the building. No one’s climbing in the rafters or installing tin on top of a tall roof. The building is also less vulnerable to weather during construction.

Out in the field

Jungmann reports the 300 acres of field demonstration corn are in great shape and getting nice rains. He says to look for autonomous demos in each area, including harvest, tillage and spraying.

“More and more autonomous companies are showing up, including Raven,” he adds.

Jungmann is also optimistic about how visitors will experience the show as COVID-19 restrictions continue to fade into the rearview mirror. Illinois entered the bridge phase, also known as Phase 4.5, in mid-May, which increased capacities for outdoor venues, and may well be in Phase 5 before the 2021 Farm Progress Show.

“With the square footage we have on a 90-acre show site, even at Phase 4, we didn’t have a problem with capacity,” Jungmann explains. “As the state continues to open, it continues to get easier and easier to put together a Farm Progress Show and to plan for it at this stage.”

The 2021 Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Decatur, Ill. Husker Harvest Days will take place in Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 14-16.