GRAND ISLAND — The World’s Largest Totally Irrigated Working Farm Show, Husker Harvest Days, threw the gates open to attendees on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
“Farm Progress and Nebraska Farmer are excited to welcome you to the 2023 Husker Harvest Days. After four and a half decades, this show has become a family tradition for generations of farmers,” Nebraska Farm editor Curt Arens wrote.
Governor Jim Pillen stated that over 500 exhibitors are viewed by more than 100,000 visitors from all over the country and even some international travelers.
“Ultimately though, this event is about celebrating agriculture in Nebraska. Thank you for taking part and for what you do to meet our state’s mission of feeding the world,” Gov. Pillen said.
The event is a boon for the local area as well.
“Agriculture is our business. When it struggles, so do our companies, families and schools,” said Cindy Johnson, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, “For decades we have seen the value Husker Harvest Days injects into our community.”
HHD brings around $9 million in economic impact to area, according to Informa Markets North American, owner of HHD.
The three-day event is the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show and features the latest ag equipment, supplies and technologies available to farmers and ranchers.
“It’s fair to say HHD is one of the best exhibits companies put up to display their new technology and tools, and it’s one of the best places for folks to come and learn about,” says Matt Jungmann Farm Progress national events director. “It would be great if we can attract growers all over the world to HHD.”
Visitors to this year’s HHD may notice what looks like a traditional farmstead complete with a home, machine shed and grain bin.
This is the new Chief Industries’ All-American Farm, the company expanded from four lots to 12 to create this display.
“We are a company who truly believes in the agricultural economy. For today’s farmers, we want to share that Chief is your partner. We are your All-American partner,” Chief Industries stated.
Chief states at the new site, visitors can make plans for their own farm by touring the home, inspecting the machine shed and getting a view of the grain bin.
“The Chief lot at HHD allows agriculture producers to envision being on an All-American Farm and what it can hold for future generations,” the company stated.
Arens highlighted several areas of the event including the vendors.
“All major center pivot manufacturers area headquartered in Nebraska and have prominent displays of their latest products,” Arens wrote.
He also noted that Husker Harvest Days (HHD) is unique for the side-by-side cattle chute and handling demonstrations.
During the live demonstrations, rural Lexington native Joe Jeffrey returned to combine his veterinary experience with his type of humor only he can provide.
“It is much more successful than I would have anticipated,” Jeffrey told Farm Progress, “the chutes have really improved over the years. The greatest changes have been how strong the chutes are built today and that they are much safer for the livestock and handlers.”
“Beef is our number one industry in this part of the county and that is why beef and other livestock products, breed associations and educational opportunities are so prevalent at the show. This business is part of our lives and our livelihoods,” Arens stated.
One of the beef sessions during HHD featured Jason Warner, Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist, speaking about navigating drought situations in a herd.
Horse enthusiasts have not been forgotten, Horseman Ron Knodel provided horse gentling demonstrations and give a firsthand look at what goes into breaking a wild colt.
“We’re really going to spend a lot of time going beyond halter breaking and show getting young horses use to the bit, used to the saddle and show what the process is like,” Knodel told Farm Progress.
If one looked toward a HHD field and saw a piece of equipment with no driver, it wasn’t a runaway, it was one of the new demonstrators in the Autonomy Zone.
One of the vendors, Raven showed off their OmniDrive, which allows an operator to control a tractor, grain cart or Case IH fertilizer spreader without a driver.
There were more traditional demonstrations, including corn harvest equipment.
Combines kicked off in the morning, with visitors able to get a close look at how the latest equipment worked in the field. There were around 20 harvesters that took part in this year’s demonstration.
There were also tillage tools demonstrations, including strip, high speed, disk and disk ripper.
HHD continues to grow and added several new vendors this year including: Agrifac Machinery B.V.; AgSwag; Aluvio; ATX Dyno; ATX Implements; BASF; EF Polymer; Huster Equipment; IronCraft, LLC; Superior Standard; Thunderstruck Ag Equipment; Treffler-Man@Machine and Vredestein Tires.
“HHD wouldn’t be the show that it is without those generations of producers returning year after year to reflect on where agriculture has been and to look forward to where the industry is going next,” Arens concluded.
