It's been 40 years since show crews first arrived at what would become the Husker Harvest Days show site west of Grand Island, bringing in a laser-leveling machine and a row of tractors and tillage tools to convert the old Husker Ammunition Plant into the world's largest irrigated working farm show.

There have been a number of changes, new products and updates through the years, but one thing has remained consistent: HHD is the place to be to learn about the latest technology and management practices, and to see new equipment in action in the field.

This year is no exception, and you can expect to see several special attractions celebrating HHD's 40th anniversary Sept. 12-14. When you arrive at the visitor's entrance on the Avenue of Flags, you'll take a step back in time to 1978, and get a look at 1978 equipment and promotional materials that you may remember from the first Husker Harvest Days that year.

As a special treat this year, we'll also be kicking off combine demonstrations with 1978 combines. "The 40th will certainly give a new and fresh look back at not only new equipment, but old equipment," says Matt Jungmann, HHD show program manager.

Of course, you'll find plenty of information on the latest trends and tools in agriculture at HHD as well. "There are a lot of new products being introduced even though the commodity market hasn't bounced back completely," adds Jungmann. "For example, visitors will see the new 700 series John Deere combine harvesting corn in the demo fields this year."

The ag economy may still be going through a down cycle, but with over 600 exhibitors on the show's 80-acre exhibitor field, this is also a perfect chance to take home knowledge to improve the bottom line for your farm or ranch operation.

For example, this year at HHD, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resource's iconic Husker Red building will continue Nebraska Extension's focus on improving the bottom line of farms and ranches with the theme of "Small Changes, Big Payback: Strengthening Nebraska's Agricultural Economy."

Or maybe you're interested in some of the many pressing issues facing agriculture in Nebraska and the U.S. Commodity organizations in the Ag Commodity Building at HHD will be discussing value-added opportunities and the importance of trade for agriculture.

Whether you call them drones, UAS or UAVs, they're a hot-ticket item in agriculture these days. In 2015, HHD introduced UAS demonstrations, and they'll be returning again this year.

There's a reason it's called the world's largest totally irrigated working farm show. If you're looking for the latest in telemetry, new sprinkler packages for your center-pivot, ways to reduce pivot-track compaction, or even subsurface drip irrigation, you'll find plenty in the realm of irrigation at HHD.

Whether it's the latest precision ag software and hardware, or equipment of days gone by that you're interested in, you'll find it at the 40th annual Husker Harvest Days.