By KRISS NELSON

Farm News staff writer

BOONE – Field demonstrations, livestock events and hundreds of agricultural exhibits describe the 2010 Farm Progress Show that will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 west of Boone, along U.S. highway 30 at the Iowa Highway 17 intersection.

Dena Morgan, marketing representative for the Farm Progress Show, said that although the area has been experiencing some heavy rain, it has, so far, not hampered preparations.

“At this point, the rain has not bothered and the show is still a few weeks away,” said Morgan. “Set up has been going on since mid-July and everything is still full steam ahead.”

To help show-goers plan their trip to the 57th annual Farm Progress Show, there is a new mapping tool available on the show’s Web site. Morgan said site visitors can go into the new mapping tool and set up their schedule for the day by viewing the agenda and list of the day’s seminars.

Morgan said there will be over 500 exhibitors from across the country and around the world, which is about the same amount as the 2008 event. Boone hosts the show every other year.

Although all of the outdoor spots have been sold, Morgan said there are still a few booths available in the varied industry tent.

Some of the most popular draws at this year’s show, Morgan added, will most likely be the field demonstrations which include combining, tillage and precision demos.

In addition to field and equipment demonstrations, there will also be some agricultural programs including daily programs on narrow-row corn; new crop technologies and U.S. Department of Agriculture research.

Livestock equipment and handling programs that will be featured during the show include demonstrations on cattle-handling, cattle fitting, horse-training and dog herding.

Big Bud the “world’s largest tractor,” Morgan said, will be available for viewing on the CPS lot as well.

The show hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1; and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 2.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Discounted tickets can be downloaded and printed off of the Web site for $7.

Directions to the show, as well as information regarding the new shuttle service from Des Moines, and addition show information can be found by visiting www.farmprogessshow.com.

Contact Kriss Nelson at jknelson@frontiernet.net.