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DRONES TO TAKE FLIGHT AT 2026 FARM PROGRESS SHOW
Jul. 9, 2026
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| Gil Gullickson | | Visitors to the Farm Progress Show will be able to evaluate drones this year in the Drone Zone. |
by Andy Castillo, Editor of Farm Equipment and Machinery, Farm Progress
Boone, IA -- More ag spray drones than ever are flying across bountiful farm fields. Now in its sophomore year, they'll likewise buzz at the Farm Progress Show's Drone Zone, located just outside the sprawling show grounds' boundary in Boone, Iowa. Visitors to the annual agricultural machinery show will be able to see the most technologically advanced drones available today.
"Drones are not going to go away," said Rick Wild, operations manager for the Farm Progress Show. "They are the up-and-coming thing. They're spraying, they're laying cover crops."
Drones have several perks, such as performing field operations without sending a big piece of equipment out into the field, he added.
Ag spray drones are revolutionizing agriculture, becoming an increasingly important tool for farmers as components such as battery technology advances. This year's Drone Zone will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the show from Sept. 1-3. The Drone Zone debuted last year at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.
"It was really nice," Wild said about the inaugural farm show feature. "Now that everybody knows what we did last year, I think it'll be more viewed this year."
Practically, the Drone Zone is an opportunity for farmers to compare drones side by side while they fly over standing or harvested corn spraying water. Each drone, including those from Agri Spray Drones and Raptor, among others, will launch multiple times throughout the day. Alex Ryan of Agri Spray Drones will organize the flight schedule.
"There will be a 40-by-60-foot tent, like there was last year. The north side of the tent will be clear. You can sit inside the tent, or the area is going to be fenced off as well," Wild said, noting that two TV screens will display the pilot's real-time view inside the tent.
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