LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Crucial to the start of any growing season is tillage. So, it comes as no surprise that tillage will be highlighted at this year’s National Farm Machinery Show.

Willie Vogt, editorial director for Farm Progress, will host a seminar titled “A Review of Tillage Technology.”

“There’s been quite a bit of new technology when it comes to tillage,” Vogt said.

Experts from Kuhn Krause Tillage Equipment will be on hand to talk about the different tillage methods and new technology at hand.

“There’s been a lot of change with tillage, and one of the areas that has become an issue is variable depth,” Vogt said. “The same machine that can do something in the fall can now come back in the spring at a lighter depth and do a final seed prep.”

According to Vogt, there’s new technology that allows the grower to change that depth “on the go,” as the planting apparatus is operating.

“It’s possible to alter that depth while sitting in the cab of the tractor,” Vogt said. “The whole idea is that one can do the job correctly in the field as you’re on the move. There’s more and move automation when it comes to tillage.”

Vogt says that researchers from Kuhn Krause will explain their company’s automation process that allows for dialing up and dialing down the depth of the planter while a driver is in the cab.

“Strip-till is becoming a bigger issue and you do tillage where you’re going to go back and plant later one,” Vogt said. “There are now precise GPS systems which allow the producer to bring the planter right back to where you just tilled and plant.”

Vogt and his cohorts will also lead a seminar called “10 Technologies Changing Agriculture.”

“The advancement of technology may seem fast, but what are the practical changes coming to the industry that could alter how one farms?” Vogt says. “This will be in interesting discussion for our visitors.”

In this discussion, Vogt and others will take a close look at gene editing and genetics engineering, as well as autonomy and automation. They will also discuss crop growth and crop rotation.

“We’ll look at convergence and divergence with regard to what the consumer is looking for,” Vogt added.

“We’re so excited to welcome everyone back for the 57th show,” said David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues. “We know the entire agribusiness industry is ready to come together to see all of the latest innovations in farm machinery and technology. Farming and agriculture are essential industries and it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the latest trends to put food on the tables of millions around the world.”

The 57th National Farm Machinery Show will be Feb. 15-18 at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville. Show times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The show is free to attend.

Visitors can view the exhibitor list at https://farmmachinershow.org/visitors/ and tap the “view exhibitor list” button under floor plans.