AGCO has transformed the farm show experience, turning its entire lot into a scaled-down version of the farming season, including live crops. Visitors to the 2014 Farm Progress Show lot will explore AGCO products being utilized across the crop production cycle, finding solutions to challenges farmers face every day. Farmers can learn more about current issues at education sessions, see AGCO’s latest equipment and even take in “Follow the Seed,” the theatrical story of one growing season and the struggles of turning seed into yield.
“We’re excited to connect with farmers in such a lively, interactive environment,” says Phil Jones, Brand Marketing Manager, AGCO. “By showcasing our technology and equipment in situations like the ones they see on their own farms, we’ll help farmers discover new solutions to complex challenges they face every day.”
Jones adds that the experiential layout and education sessions will provide farmers a venue to discuss current issues such as data privacy, stress on the job and technology access. They can see this new technology firsthand with augmented reality from the lot’s 20-foot-tall observation deck.
Take a Trip Around the Farm
From planting to harvest and incorporating precision technology throughout, the AGCO lot will give visitors a hands-on look at fresh ways to enhance their operations. Corn, soybean and alfalfa crops — planted and maintained by the local Gilbert, IA, FFA chapter — will provide an evolving backdrop for discussing common concerns and equipment solutions at each stage of the farming cycle. Visitors can tour the plots using educational signage as their guide and gain in-depth instruction from on-site AGCO experts.
“We’re proud to work with the local FFA chapter and collaborate with the next generation of farmers,” says Jones. “They will gain experience growing crops in a less-than-ideal conditions. Between years of compaction, lack of quality topsoil and a number of other issues, these future farmers are facing challenges they will hopefully never have to deal with on their own farms. All findings the FFA students discover caring for the crops are documented for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. This year’s Farm Progress display will truly be a learning experience for everyone.”
More to Explore
The AGCO schedule of events includes:
AGCO Theater Presents “Follow the Seed” – Live theatrical presentation follows the story of Bud the Seed and how one farmer unleashed his potential. Show times are 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Fuse Technologies Pavilion – See how AGCO’s next-generation approach to precision agriculture — Fuse Technologies — connects the entire crop cycle, improves data access regardless of equipment brand, and enhances business planning.
Augment Your Reality – From the 20-foot observation deck, visitors can use special augmented-reality viewers to see firsthand how Fuse Technologies can improve production at each stage of the farming cycle.
AGCO Educational Series – The Fuse Technologies Pavilion is the place to learn, thanks to a series of presentations covering a range of topics that highlight technology, productivity and profitability. Presentations include:
- Reduce Compaction. Increase Yield. Learn about technologies that can reduce yield-robbing compaction. (Tuesday, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.)
- There’s a Problem with Your Shoe! Learn how to minimize grain loss and maintain a cleaner grain sample by managing your combine’s shoe load. (Tuesday, 11 a.m. and Wednesday, 3 p.m.)
- Turning Trash into Treasure. Explore the emerging biomass market: What it is, how you can profit, and how to get started. (Tuesday, 1 p.m.)
- Advancement of Rural Cell Internet Coverage. Expanded cell coverage will enable new technologies on the farm. How can you profit? (Tuesday, 2 p.m.)
- Getting the Most out of Tillage. Explore alternative tillage methods and learn how to optimize your tool’s performance. (Tuesday, 3 p.m. and Wednesday, 11 a.m.)
- Who’s Watching Your Data? Sharpen your perspective on the issue of data privacy. (Wednesday, 10 a.m.)
- Right Place. Right Product. Right Time. Review product placement options and application-specific technologies that help deliver higher yields. (Wednesday, 1 p.m.)
- It's All About the Kitchen! Learn how to manage job stress with equipment that supports operator comfort. (Wednesday, 2 p.m.)
Full AGCO Equipment Lineup on Display
An impressive array of productivity-boosting equipment from the AGCO stable of brands will be on display. Visitors will get an up-close look at the latest offerings from Massey Ferguson, Challenger, Fendt, White Planters, Sunflower, Gleaner, RoGator and TerraGator, including several exciting new product launches:
- Massey Ferguson 7700 Series tractors feature AGCO POWER 6.6- and 7.4-liter diesel engines with a redesigned front axle suspension and easy-to-use guidance technology.
- Fendt 700 Series tractors provide the best overall fluid efficiency in their class, with maximum engine horsepower ratings from 145 to 240.
- Sunflower 6650-48 is the new vertical tillage tool with a class-leading true working width of 47 ft., 11 in.
- Sunflower 1436SW split-wing disc harrows provide up to 600 pounds per foot of cutting-and-slicing weight for tough residue management situations.
- 2015 Gleaner S8 Super Series combines benefit from updates for an even cleaner grain sample and lower grain loss, and are now available Ag Leader Ready.
- 2015 Massey Ferguson 9505 Series combines feature an updated cab, improvements to the header-drive and hydraulic fan drive systems, and are now available Ag Leader Ready.
An emphasis on precision farming will tie the equipment lines together. “Connectivity between equipment and across the farm cycle is essential to our customers’ success,” Jones concludes. “We are excited to showcase our next-generation approach to total farm productivity.”
Visit the AGCO lot, number 1002, in the northeast quadrant at the Farm Progress Show, August 26 to 28, 2014, in Boone, IA.
