UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Mid-august Typically Finds Students In Summer-vacation Mode, But For Farmers, School Is In Session As Agricultural Equipment Companies Unveil Their Latest Technological Advances At Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 16-18 At Rock Springs.

As the largest outdoor agricultural exposition in the state, Ag Progress Days offers producers a much-needed opportunity to bone up on the increasingly complex machines used to harvest and process field crops. Exposition manager Bob Oberheim says farmers can learn more about everything from the latest tractor engine technology to coming environmental regulations.

"Agriculture is getting more high-tech and diversified, so we want to be a platform to present the newest, best, most efficient equipment and technology," he says. "Manufacturers have to respond to what the market is doing -- if big tractors aren't selling, they branch into smaller tractors. If one service line of their business is picking up, they have to increase that segment.

"Every year we try to showcase the most advanced, efficient technology from the industry or from here at the university. Our goal is to help the farmer stay profitable."

But the exposition doesn't cater just to the large producer, Oberheim explains; it serves a cross-section of Pennsylvania agriculture.

"Our exhibitors can serve large and small producers, the 'farmette' owner, someone with a couple of horses, and even the individual homeowner," he says. "So the equipment matches those specialized operations, and even some basic things that everyone needs: a grader blade, a mower or a tractor. That's what makes us unique."

This year's Ag Progress Days will surpass the previous year's record total of commercial exhibitors. As many as 65 exhibitors for 2005 will appear at the exposition for the first time, and Oberheim says there is a very good chance of enrolling the maximum number of exhibitors possible at the 55-acre show site.

"Our indoor exhibit space is almost full, and we'll be adding almost a whole new exhibit street to handle the new outdoor exhibitors," he says. "We're looking at new exhibitors with a wide range of products, from educational services and new corn varieties to farm and utility buildings and agricultural equipment.

"About 375 exhibitors is the maximum for our site, and we'll be very close to that number this year," adds Oberheim. "We're blessed with a very faithful audience -- about 60 percent of attendees come back every year, and that provides a good base for exhibitors to work with. We're also always trying to incorporate something new, like another tour or an exhibit in the Pasto Agricultural Museum."

Field demonstrations are always popular at Ag Progress Days, and this year's show will reflect the state's changing nutrient-management environment with a manure injector demonstration featuring equipment and techniques to help producers comply with state manure and run-off regulations. Oberheim says other demonstrations will focus on alternative agriculture techniques.

"New for this year will be a drills and seeder demonstration," he says. "We'll have probably four drills and two seeders that will be planting in conventional and no-till conditions. We want the farmer to compare and see what's new and let exhibitors demonstrate how their equipment can meet specific needs."

Hay processing will be the focus of several demonstrations, including mowing, tedding, raking, baling, wrapping and handling.

Skid-steer rodeo competitions return, and a ride-and-drive area will give visitors a chance to test-drive various makes and models of harvesters, tractors and other machinery.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 16; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 18. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until August 18 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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Editor: Gary AbdullahOffice 814-863-2708 FAX 814-863-9877