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Published July 14, 2010, 12:00 AM

Volunteers, exhibitors prep for Farm Technology Days

Three years of planning and preparation will culminate Tuesday, July 20, when gates open at the Pierce County edition of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.


Pierce County Farm Technology Days parking lots are "straight as an arrow", thanks to a GPS-equipped John Deere mower conditioning unit. Operator Dan Kruse didn't need to touch the steering wheel as GPS satellites, supplemented by a remote correction tower on-site and the unit's computer auto-steering did the work. The cutting was programmed to leave uncut, a 12-inch strip of alfalfa to serve as a "vegetation curb", maximizing parking availability at the FarmTech site. The mower was provided courtesy of Tractor Central, one of the show's charter sponsors. Submitted photo by Greg Andrews.

  • Pierce County Farm Technology Days parking lots are "straight as an arrow", thanks to a GPS-equipped John Deere mower conditioning unit. Operator Dan Kruse didn't need to touch the steering wheel as GPS satellites, supplemented by a remote correction tower on-site and the unit's computer auto-steering did the work. The cutting was programmed to leave uncut, a 12-inch strip of alfalfa to serve as a "vegetation curb", maximizing parking availability at the FarmTech site. The mower was provided courtesy of Tractor Central, one of the show's charter sponsors. Submitted photo by Greg Andrews.
  • Exhibition organizers use hardwood chips to turn alfalfa fields into roadways amid changing weather conditions. Grounds co-chair Terry Kusilek brought his own small bulldozer to the site to pile the 30 semi-trailer loads of chips. The material is being purchased from Schmitt Hardwoods, Spring Valley.
  • Linemen from Pierce-Pepin Electric Cooperative recently installed a 60-foot pole hosting speakers for emergency warning sirens and public announcements. The pole sits near the headquarters trailer near the center of the 75-acre collection of canvas tagged "Tent City".
  • 'Tent City' has rapidly taken shape over the past two weeks. This view, captured Tuesday evening, July 13th, looks northwest from a knoll just south of the show site at Hwy. 29W and CTH E in Pierce County.