Farm Progress Show 2026 draws 600 exhibitors with first-ever Agronomy Zone and FAA-approved Drone Zone

The 2026 Farm Progress Show, held September 1–3 in Boone, Iowa, introduced two new features that expanded the event’s focus on precision agriculture and agronomy. The show drew nearly 600 exhibitors from around the world, building on 161,000 attendees in 2025.

The Agronomy Zone, spanning about 6 acres in the southeast corner of the showgrounds, brought research-grade crop plots with side-by-side product comparisons in real growing conditions. More than half of the participating companies were first-time exhibitors. Ag PhD co-hosts Brian and Darren Hefty led daily guided plot tours, with plots professionally managed by DM Crop Research Group.

The Drone Zone, making its first FAA-approved appearance at the Boone location, provided a 500-by-500-foot enclosed demonstration area where multiple exhibitors flew drones simultaneously. The format allowed producers to compare aerial application equipment side by side, a format several attendees described as the show’s most practical addition.

Major equipment launches included AGCO’s new Fendt 1100 Vario MT Gen2 track tractor, Massey Ferguson N-Series split/narrow row planters and Precision Planting’s ArrowTube seed orientation system. Bayer also used the show to announce its blockbuster crop science launch pipeline and Vylor unveiled its corn innovation roadmap.