Well, it was a soggy couple of days at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa last week. But the rain certainly didn’t keep too many farmers away, as thousands turned out to see the latest and greatest products and services from more than 700 ag-related exhibitors. Exhibitors traveled from all over the world to present at the country’s largest outdoor farm show.
Overall, we enjoyed good foot traffic through our booth, particularly given the impact the weather had on attendance. Not surprisingly, the biggest draw was the new Multi-Hybrid Planter, which generated a great deal of interest among ag editors and farmers who were curious to learn more about how the planter switches between different hybrids on the go. Kinze developed the Multi-Hybrid Planter this year in cooperation with AgriGold, Becks, Burris and Pioneer,and currently the plan is to release it in limited quantities in spring 2015.
In addition, visitors to our booth were also eager to discuss recent Kinze innovations – such as the Autonomous Harvesting System, Hydraulic Weight Transfer system and 4000 Series Row Units with optional electric meters – as well as 3000 Series planters.
To be sure, the Kinze team once again had a rewarding experience at the Farm Progress Show. It’s always nice to meet with farmers and discuss what challenges they’re facing in the field, and what types of equipment and technology they need to increase productivity.
This year was particularly special for all of us at Kinze because it marked the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Farm Progress Show. That year Jon Kinzenbaw created quite a stir at the show (which was hosted in Fort Dodge, Iowa) when he unveiled the tractor known as “Big Blue,” the story of which we recently retold in our children’s book “Big Blue and Polly” (available for purchase in the Kinze Innovation Center gift shop).
Aerial shot of the Kinze booth at the 2014 Farm Progress Show.
Kinze District Managers (from left to right): Jim McGee, Chris Schlesser and Derek Prostine.
The Kinze Grain Cart, along with the American flag, was hoisted above our booth.
For more press coverage of the Farm Progress Show, click here.