Robert Steffen, Clark, S. D., was a bit skeptical when Rosemary Schimek, Farm Progress marketing director, called him to tell him he was the winner of a New Holland L220 skid steer loader.

"You have to be careful, there are a lot of scams these days," says Steffen. But it was for real. The sweepstakes began at the 2012 Farm Progress Hay Expo and ended March 31, 2013. Readers, website users and show visitors could enter the drawing. Steffen registered online.

New Holland presented the new loader to Steffen on the first day of the 2013 Farm Progress Show at Decatur, Ill.

Robert Steffen, Clark, S.D., winner of the New Holland Construction Skid Steer Giveaway, visits with Dan Valen, New Holland segment manager pro work tools, in front of the skid steer he won in the sweepstakes.

The L220 skid steer loader offers 60 gross horsepower, 2,000 lb. capacity and a dump reach maximum height of 29.8 feet. Mechanical controls are standard. Electro-hydraulic switchable controls are optional. New Holland, working with Steffen's local dealer – Hurkes Implement, Watertown, S.D. -- will outfit the unit Steffen is getting with the features he can use on his farm.

"I'd like an enclosed cab, for one thing, so I can move snow in the winter," notes the South Dakota grower. The New Holland Construction L220 skid steer loader has a retail value of $40,500.

The Steffen family grows about 700 acres of corn and soybeans and maintains a 150-head beef cow herd. Calves are routinely fed to 600 to 700 pounds and sent to market. They also raise about 80 acres of alfalfa for the beef cow herd.

As part of his prize, New Holland also gave Steffen two nights at a Springfield, Ill., hotel and a $500 stipend so he could attend the Farm Progress Show – his first time at the show. His son Hudson accompanied him.