Whether you’re a professional farm show attender or amateur looking to gain experience, there are countless shows in the agricultural industry that fit a variety of niches. But some of them truly stand out from the pack — whether that’s for the brand innovations that are unveiled at them or simply the sheer size of the event, it’s likely that there’s a show out there that you would absolutely love. Having been to many over the years, we wanted to explore some of the biggest and best agriculture trade shows in the United States.
Like tractors and other farm machinery? Then yes, there’s several great farm shows for you. Want to focus on livestock? Of course, there’s plenty of events along those lines. Not up for a long drive? Odds are, there’s something within just a couple of hours of you. From the East Coast to West Coast, from January to December, you’re sure to find a show that will pique your interest.
Our agriculture trade show list focuses on events that are open to the public and don’t require you to be an organization member to attend. So you won’t see things like the National FFA Convention & Expo or the American Farm Bureau Convention Annual Convention & Trade Show or the Cattle Industry Convention on this list. Events like those are amazing, and if you have an opportunity to go, you absolutely should, but current affiliation with their respective organizations is either prerequisite or a strong factor in how those events are structured.
Got a favorite ag show? Below are some of the most notable nationally, listed in the order they appear on the calendar. How many can you say you’ve attended?
Pennsylvania Farm Show
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
When: January
Cost: Free
Average Attendance: 500,000
Organizers describe the Pennsylvania Farm Show as the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation. The event showcases the quality and breadth of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and the people who make it thrive. The show offers visitors a tiny slice of the industry that employs nearly half a million people and contributes $132.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy every year.
Plus — and this is absolutely not to be missed! — the Pennsylvania Farm Show unveils a signature butter sculpture for each event.
Visit the event’s website here.
Fort Wayne Farm Show
Fort Wayne, Indiana
When: Mid-January
Cost: Free
Attendance: 23,000
Fort Wayne Farm Show attendees can expect to enjoy the innovations and wares of over 1,000 booths as well as ample opportunities to attend seminars to learn more about current topics in agriculture from our partners and trusted experts, Purdue Cooperative Extension, and the Northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts. It is Indiana’s largest indoor agricultural expo.
The Fort Wayne Farm Show has been distinctively curated to provide real time value and opportunity to the industry, and the event presents the latest farm technology the industry has to offer along with the area’s largest variety of farm machinery equipment in one location.
Visit the event’s website here.
National Farm Machinery Show
Louisville, Kentucky
When: Mid-February
Cost: Free admission (with parking fee)
Attendance: 300,000
The National Farm Machinery Show covers eight interconnected exhibit halls totaling more than 1.2 million square feet of indoor exhibit space and contains more than 900 exhibitor booths. In four days, you can explore the latest farm trends, technology and tools offered by the industry’s best and most trusted brands. You will see virtually every major line of farming equipment under one roof. Attendees can take advantage of in-depth product comparisons, as well as discover innovative technology, new product launches, alternative energy and solutions to the challenges facing today’s agribusiness professionals.
It is a family-friendly event where people can see practical and implementable machinery for their farming operations — the production-ready tools more so than merely the “concepts.”
Visit the event’s website here.
World Ag Expo
Tulare, California
When: Mid-February
Cost: $20 general admission (add-ons for farm tours)
Attendance: 100,000
Billed as the largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology, equipment, and services on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. The show offers a wide range of ag-related special events, exhibitors, and seminars during its three-day show, drawing visitors from an estimated 60 to 70 countries annually. More than most other major shows, the World Ag Expo caters to many agricultural sectors beyond the commodity crops.
This kind of show is nice because, during what is normally the colder months, outdoor experiences are in high demand with exhibitors to demonstrate new products and provide upgraded interactions with attendees.
Visit the event’s website here.
Commodity Classic
Orlando, Florida
When: March
Cost: Varies into the hundreds
Average Attendance: 7,500
A combination of inspiring speakers, an impressive trade show, top-notch entertainment, nationally recognized agricultural thought leaders, and educational sessions — Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused educational and agricultural experience. Plus, Commodity Classic provides attendees the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from across the nation.
It was established in 1996 and is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. So, perhaps moreso than any other show nationwide, this is all about commodity crops (it’s in the show’s name!).
Visit the event’s website here.
Ag Progress Days
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania
When: August
Cost: Free
Attendance: 45,000
Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, held annually during three days in August, is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition. With over 400 exhibitors from the United States and Canada, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The show is hosted by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and showcases educational programs, current research, and the latest innovations in agricultural equipment and technology.
Ag Progress Days is one of only three agricultural exhibitions in the country sponsored by a major university. The show uses about 55 acres for events, 35 acres for parking, and more than 80 acres for crops. Some of what you’ll see are: more than 40 educational presentations; 30 active demonstrations on topics such as healthy lifestyle, cooking, ag safety, farm and business, animals and livestock, and agronomic crops and soils; 20 demonstrations for equipment and field machinery; and 20 meetings for agricultural associations and governmental agencies.
Visit the event’s website here.
Farm Progress Show
Decatur, Illinois, and Boone, Iowa
When: Late August
Cost: $20 general admission for adults
Attendance: 50,000
The Farm Progress Show is one of the nation’s largest outdoor farm events, annually hosting over 600 exhibitors from around the world. Every year, the Farm Progress Show connects thousands of primarily corn and soybean producers with companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in agriculture. Whether you are looking to innovate with the latest ag technology, learn from industry experts, or share your farming legacy with your family, the Farm Progress Show hits all the high points.
Recent research shows that 97 percent show visitors said seeing new products and practices were the reason they came to the show.
Visit the event’s website here.
Husker Harvest Days
Grand Island, Nebraska
When: Mid September
Cost: $15 general admission for adults
Attendance: 100,000
Husker Harvest Days combines an up-close working experience of the latest and greatest in the farming sector including autonomous equipment, but also live cattle handling demonstrations with the best way to safely handle your cattle. It’s billed as a place where farmers and ranchers can gain insights for their operations and make connections that last.
Known as the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show, Husker Harvest Days delivers a memorable farm experience.
Visit the event’s website here.
World Beef Expo
West Allis, Wisconsin
When: Late September/Early October
Cost: Free
Attendance: 5,000
World Beef Expo is one of the Midwest’s largest cattle expositions and takes place as a four-day event, hosting open and junior beef cattle shows plus youth showmanship, youth sweepstakes, youth and collegiate cattle judging contests, and a trade show. Cattle and exhibitors travel from more than a dozen states, and there were more than 1,100 open and junior show entries in 2022 alone.
Visit the event’s website here.
World Dairy Expo
Madison, Wisconsin
When: October
Cost: $15 general admission for ages 12+
Attendance: 70,000
Built on education, networking, and youth contests, World Dairy Expo is the world’s largest dairy-focused trade show. Discover dairy show cattle genetics and services available from the show’s 1,600 dairy cattle exhibitors in the New Holland Pavilions and Cattle Tent. Take your cattle and exhibitor search to the next level with Expo’s free mobile event app.
This event is known as the international meeting place for the dairy industry with seven breed shows, an array of modern dairy equipment and technology on display, auctions, educational seminars, and more available to any dairy enthusiast in attendance.
Visit the event’s website here.
We hope that with all of the amazing agriculture trade shows that happen around the nation, at least one of these fits your slice of the industry and proves valuable to your operation or to your connection to food production.
