The good news for showgoers in 2021 is that corn on demonstration fields was planted in April. Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress director of national events, expects both combine and tillage demonstrations to happen as planned, weather permitting at this year’s Farm Progress Show, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 in Decatur, Ill.

David Brix, a host farmer who will also assist with field demonstrations this year, believes that corn will be ready to go in time. Corn planted on the demonstration fields was a short-season hybrid.

Corn is typically 30% to 35% moisture at black layer, which is physiological maturity for corn. Combine operators provided by the companies are accustomed to running corn with relatively high moisture content, Jungmann notes.

Brix hopes corn will be drier than those levels when combines are ready to run. He will help equipment companies with combines during the demos line up for the event. Later, he will help line up tillage tools. In between, at noon each day, the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association will present tiling demos. Over 30 acres is expected to be pattern-tiled during the show. Most of the tiling demo will be on land that Brix farms.

Corn harvesting

Corn combining demonstrations will kick off at 11 a.m. each day, says on-site show manager Rick Wild, who works with equipment operators.

Drivers for each piece of equipment are provided by the manufacturer, Wild says. Drivers are trained by their own company on the equipment. However, Wild and Brix make sure each person who will operate a combine or tractor in the field understands the rules.

“Show organizers place a high priority on practicing safety in the field,” Wild says, adding that a meeting with operators before the show covers safety protocols.

When corn combining begins, the order of equipment will be:

This year,  a recording of Farm Progress broadcaster Max Armstrong describing  each piece of equipment while it operates will be played over the loudspeakers.

Pay attention to all instructions given to visitors in the field. Athletes from Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., will be manning safety and rope lines for field demonstrations. It’s important to stay behind those ropes, Wild emphasizes.

Growmark FS is sponsoring the pennant ropes used in the demos and will supply fuel for the field demo equipment. The company also is providing the agronomic inputs during the growing season.

Before and after the corn harvesting demos, Raven’s OmniDrive system will take to the field. The demos will feature a driverless grain cart, controlled by the combine operator.

Tiling demonstrations will take place between corn harvesting and tillage demonstrations. Brix says tiling this year will be located north of the exhibit field.

Tillage demos

Tillage tools will run following tiling, at around 2 p.m. in stalk fields that were combined that morning, Wild explains. Expect to see almost every brand of tractor and every type of tillage tool on the market. Companies exhibiting at the show determine which tillage tools they will demonstrate, and what tractors will pull each implement. Vertical tillage tools make up a good percentage of the tillage tools.

The tillage tool format is similar as corn harvesting, Wild says. Each tool will make a pass while Armstrong describes the equipment. Drivers choose operating speed for their tools.

Tillage tools that run at normal speed will go first, followed by tools that work best at higher speeds. Once all tools have made a pass, drivers will continue working until the field is completely tilled.

Follow safety rules when tillage tools operate, Wild notes. The goal is to keep the rope line about 20 feet back from moving equipment. Staff will try to keep the line as straight as possible so everyone has an opportunity to watch the equipment run while staying a safe distance away.

Field notes

Trams will be available for those that have trouble walking to the field. Lane Fredrickson and John Zelhart are tasked with ensuring trams operate smoothly.

Trams will load and unload on the north end of Central Avenue. Be sure to keep all hands and feet inside the tram, and enter or exit only when it has stopped. If trams are nearly full, let those with the most trouble walking ride.

If you take a golf cart to the field, follow instructions from staff members wearing orange vests.

Ride ’n’ Drive and autonomous machine areas will be provided for companies who want to give customers a closer look. These areas operate continuously during show hours.