CEDAR FALLS -- The nation's largest outdoor farm show will commence near Boone next week, and Northeast Iowa companies will be well represented.

Exhibitors say the 55th annual Farm Progress Show is one of the best ways to connect with existing customers and gain new ones. Thousands of farmers will travel to central Iowa starting Tuesday for the three-day event.

More than 500 exhibitors will showcase the latest ag-related products for American and international producers to evaluate, test and purchase. Show officials said this year's rendition will have more booths and presentations than recent Iowa shows, including expanded precision and strip-till demonstrations and product introductions of combines, tractors, utility vehicles and crop trait technologies.

John Deere will display all of its new equipment and technology at the show. Barry Nelson, the company's public relations manager, said small tractors will be emphasized.

"That's a big area of growth for us. Whether it's a livestock producer needing a loader tractor to a large acreage owner needing a tractor for upkeep," Nelson said. "We like the show because besides producers there's security analysts, media and foreign (buyers) -- a lot of diversity."

A stage with product demonstrations will be set up, Nelson said, along with WHO radio's "Big Show" broadcasting daily from the tent.

More than 40 acres are dedicated to tillage demonstrations, auto-steer and nutrient management products. Deere, which builds tractors in Waterloo, will participate in all of it.

Exhibitors are especially excited since the show has found a permanent home near Boone. The 106-acre facility is located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 30 and 17.

The show is held in Iowa every other year. But this is the first time people know it will return to the same location.

That gave Sukup Manufacturing of Sheffield the confidence to expand its presence at the show. The company rented two more lots and built a commercial bin, a smaller farm bin and installed a tower grain dryer to show off to existing and potential customers.

"This usually pulls in more than Iowa farmers. We have a lot of big items we're able to display. Usually we were not able to do that," said Diana Hughes, Sukup sales supervisor.

The show's Seminar Center offers a full schedule of daily programs to inform producers of marketing alternatives, management options, family estate planning and ag industry updates.

Rabo AgriFinance, with its north central region operations center based in Cedar Falls, plans to have a host of employees at the show to talk to farmers about financing options. The company will also have a specialist on hand to update customers on the latest commodity developments.

Tad Mozena, vice president of communications, said the goal as always is to expand its customer base.

"We get thousands in (our tent) over the three days. We talk to existing clients and new customers - (but) farmers are not necessarily fill out loan applications," Mozena said.

The show will now rotate between Boone, known as the Central Iowa Expo, and Decatur, Ill. The two communities have committed to 20-year contracts for the show.

"Right now, all the major site work is complete and the smaller projects are being checked off daily," said Matt Jungman, show manager, in a prepared statement. " We are going to be ready for a really spectacular show for everyone who wants to experience the nation's greatest ag exposition."

The show is open to visitors on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 13 to 17 and free for kids 12 and under.

For more information, including driving instructions, check out the show's Web site at www.FarmProgressShow.com.

Contact Matthew Wilde

at (319) 291-1579 or

matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.