Story & Photos by Layne Whitby, Photo illustration by Ray Merritt

Ag Progress Days, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition, was held August 19-21. The event, sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs, Pennsylvania. This year celebrated the 40th anniversary of Ag Progress Days and the 32nd year it was held at its current venue.

Despite concerns over fuel prices affecting visitors’ willingness to drive long distances to attend, show attendance was expected to reach nearly 45,000 for the three-day event, said Bob Oberheim, manager of Ag Progress Days. Attendees could visit nearly 400 commercial exhibits, showcasing the latest trends and technology in agriculture.

Aside from the many exhibits, show-goers had chances to visit lots of other fun attractions, including “Myth Busters: Animal Agriculture,” “Best Chef of Pennsylvania” competition and many other equipment demonstrations. PD

ABOVE: AgSourcing International discusses the benefits of their products, rubber mat flooring for slat barns, with a show visitor under the show’s Dairy Tent. Photo by Layne Whitby.

ABOVE: A popular demonstration was Lely’s robotic milking system. Photo by Layne Whitby.