For those of us who have spent years going to farm shows where the weather can unpredictable…rainy, cold, muddy, or super hot and sweaty — this year Farm Progress has given us all a huge surprise. The weather has been perfect. Blue skies, comfortable temps, and not a mud puddle in sight. I can’t imagine having more fun walking around, talking to fellow farmers, and catching up with exhibitors. And the best part? There’s still one more day to go.
🚜 The Big Picture
The show returned to Decatur, Illinois, August 26–28, drawing more than 600 exhibitors and thousands of visitors to check out the latest in equipment, seed, tech, livestock handling, and conservation practices. Spread across hundreds of acres, Farm Progress continues to be the place where farmers and manufacturers come face-to-face — and where new ideas get their first real-world test drive.
🔧 Technology & Equipment in Focus
This year’s buzz is all about autonomy and efficiency:
- Giant spray drones and new precision spraying tech drew big crowds.
- Smart soybeans and crop-monitoring advances were front and center in the seed tents.
- Fendt turned heads with live demos of its Gen4 tractors, Optimum planter, and the autonomous PTx OutRun system.
- Case IH put heritage on display with a Farmall M revival, plus the launch of their most powerful tractor yet — the Steiger 785 Quadtrac.
- CLAAS showed off updates in forage harvesting, building on its reputation for high-performance choppers.
💲 Big Economic News from the Show
The Farm Progress Show isn’t just about iron and seed — it’s also about the bigger ag economy. On opening day, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a $2 billion investment from Cronus Chemicals to build a new fertilizer plant in Tuscola, Illinois. The facility is expected to produce nearly 1 million tons of ammonia annually, bring 130 new jobs to the region, and use carbon capture tech to reduce emissions. That’s a headline that has real implications for input supply and rural economies across the Midwest.
👨🌾 Why It Matters
Farm Progress has always been more than a trade show — it’s a place where farmers connect, where new technologies find their audience, and where conversations shape the next planting and harvest seasons. With great weather, strong attendance, and a steady stream of product launches and big announcements, the 2025 edition in Decatur is delivering on all fronts.
And with one more day to go, there’s still plenty of ground to cover.
Farming Equipment 
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