ALL ABOUT TRACTORS BY PAUL WALLEM RANTOUL, Ill. — The Half Century of Progress show in Rantoul appeared to be bigger than ever. This year’s event – August 24-27 (which occurs every two years) – literally blanketed the huge old Chanute Air Force Base. As we arrived to line up for parking, at least two-thirds of the vehicles in line were towing their own golf carts or ATVs on trailers. After getting our (reserved) rental golf cart, we entered a heavy flow of carts and ATVs roaming the grounds. Older farm equipment from throughout the U.S. and Canada had been hauled in by their owners, and some collectors were displaying a dozen or more. Tractors were the biggest numbers, but shellers, combines, mounted and pull type corn pickers, etc., were there for display and some for demonstrations. The demonstration plots were surrounded by witnesses on their golf carts and ATVs. Combines and corn pickers were operating along with tillage demonstrators. Elsewhere at stationary displays, corn was being shelled and ground. Almost every farm practice of the 1950s and beyond was there to see. Even a display and demonstration of check-row planting was ongoing. Those of us who are old enough can still remember the ‘click-click-click’ as the trip wire dropped seed in the ground. Check-row planting dates back to the mid-1800s and lasted until the early 1950s. (Some of us also remember cross-cultivating – a miserable job). A unique youth program exhibit drew attention. Night Shift Program is part of the curriculum at Four Rivers Career Center in Washington, Mo. Night Shift founder Dan Brinkman’s goal is to equip students with technical skills and life skills. “There is no secret in getting young people interested in something as my students have in vintage tractors and other equipment if it has a motor,” Brinkman said. “If you find the right carrot to motivate a kid, it doesn’t take money or gifts if you can show them that they can learn skills they can use to better their life.” Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. Brinkman has run the Night Shift program since 2008. Each day at 1 p.m., the huge tractor parade begins, down the runway and under the incredibly large American flag. This year the parade featured tractors of 1973, now 50 years old. Every brand, color, size and condition were represented. Again this year we heard the familiar radio/TV voice of Max Armstrong on the PA set, and his running commentary during the parade. His presence brings a sense of continuity to the Half-Century Show. Now that he’s retired from the constant demands of “This Week in Agribusiness,” he will spend more time at shows like this. He was also at the Farm Progress Show every day from August 29th to the 31st. At 4 p.m. each day, a different event brought a lot more smoke and sounds. The tractor pull drew all those golf carts and ATVs to watch. The variety of competitors is endless. Vendors offering toys, clothing, signs and endless other items are everywhere on the grounds. I was signing books at the Heritage Iron tent and met visitors from throughout the country. I really enjoyed talking to folks who are subscribers of Farm World newspaper. I gave away some copies, and when they saw them, they stopped to talk. I appreciated their comments about this column. Just two days after Half Century closes after again celebrating the history of agriculture, another magnificent farm show opens. Farm Progress Show celebrates its 70th anniversary. Producers can examine every new machine and method, watch the demonstrations and talk to suppliers. Every two years these two events occur back-to-back. You should plan now to attend both in 2025. Paul Wallem was raised on an Illinois dairy farm. He spent 13 years with corporate IH in domestic and foreign assignments. He resigned to own and operate two IH dealerships. He is the author of THE BREAKUP of IH and SUCCESSES & INDUSTRY FIRST of IH. See all his books on www.PaulWallem.com. Email your comments to pwallem@aol.com |
