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The Future of Agriculture – Insights from Ag Progress Days
Ag Progress Days, hosted by Penn State University , is one of Pennsylvania’s most significant agricultural events, gathering thousands of growers, suppliers, researchers, and policymakers. The 2025 edition attracted nearly 44,000 attendees and featured over 400 exhibitors, solidifying its position as a key hub for agricultural innovation.
During a recent visit to the event, a Pittsburgh delegation had a unique experience connecting with the sector’s leading OEM brands. They participated in presentations, networking sessions, product demonstrations and new technology showcases, while also identifying business opportunities. Among the delegation participants were leaders, innovators, robotics specialists, and academics, including Professor Abhi Siwal from Carnegie Mellon and Kevin Dowling and Beth Ezar from the Robotics Factory.
The objectives of this trade show visit were to explore current commercial agricultural technology advancements, exchange experiences among Pittsburgh companies, and discuss potential ag technology projects. This connection fosters collaboration among robotics ecosystem members in Southwestern Pennsylvania, driving focus on agriculture by connecting innovation with practical application.
At John Deere (LandPro Equipment), the delegation received a presentation from Isaac Vorisek, a Precision Agriculture Specialist, on autonomous technology for combine harvesters and the company’s roadmap for automation in soil preparation. Discussions also covered evolving business models for autonomy and additional machinery examples.
Subsequently, at Case IH (Hoober), Marc Yoder, Director of Precision Agriculture, detailed the adoption of drones, advanced crop-care application systems, and digital farming strategies. These interactions underscored the growing sophistication of automation solutions for OEMs.
The tour continued with visits that revealed further advancements. At Fendt & Precision Planting (Agriteer ), Joe Black and Curtis Martin presented precision planting solutions and digital integration through PTx the joint venture between Trimble Inc. and AGCO Corporation.
A particular highlight was the visit to Mahindra Group & Kubota Tractor Corporation , where Mahindra’s development of virtual perimeter technologies for tractors and Kubota’s advancements in GPS guidance systems for higher-horsepower tractors were observed.
A crucial point, as noted by Steve Marsh, was Kubota’s investment in Bloomfield Hills Robotics , a Pittsburgh-based technology company pioneering AI-driven imaging systems for crop maturity mapping and harvest forecasting. These observations reinforce the importance of pragmatic innovation and the integration of emerging technologies into agriculture.
Beyond the company visits, the delegation actively participated in other activities. At the TALiS Panel Discussion, featuring researchers from Penn State, Vanessa McGrath (Burro Robotics ), Elizabeth Ezar, MBA ( Robotics Factory ), and Kelly Kundratic (Team PA), and moderated by Paul Heinemann , the discussion emphasized innovation pipelines, adoption barriers, and opportunities for collaboration between technology developers and growers.
The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibit also offered hands-on demonstrations included robotic mushroom harvesting prototypes, digital farm mapping systems, and other emerging research initiatives designed to advance efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. These sessions broadened the understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.
The day also featured a networking event organized by Team PA, bringing together representatives from Pennsylvania’s agricultural and technology sectors. Speakers included Russel Redding , Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Troy Ott , the Dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, both underscoring the Commonwealth’s leadership role in agricultural innovation and the importance of industry-academic partnerships. This event facilitated additional networking opportunities and the ability to make new connections, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving the future of agriculture.
The visit at Ag Progress Days, led by Alex Foessel, underscored how automation and connectivity are transforming agricultural operations, optimizing labor, increasing efficiency, and boosting productivity. At Balanced Engineering LLC , our commitment is to be the strategic partner that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and safe, practical application. We empower OEMs to develop robust solutions and guide growers in effective integration, ensuring uptime and performance. If your journey toward automation requires a trusted guide, we are ready to transform your challenges into solutions.
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