Husker Harvest Days is the largest outdoor irrigation farm show in the United States. Every year, farmers and irrigation professionals from the United States and abroad come to Grand Island, Nebraska, to see the newest technological developments in their field. This month, Irrigation Leader gives you a look into the show’s history and into the innovations that are still being showcased there every year.

In our cover story, Tyler Harris, the editor of Nebraska Farmer, recounts the history of his venerable magazine— which is older than the state of Nebraska—and how it helped found Husker Harvest Days in the late 1970s. Ever since, the show has presented an important opportunity for innovators to demonstrate their wares and for farmers to learn about new technologies and methods.

Our magazine also features a number of technological innovators, many of whom have exhibited at past years’ Husker Harvest Days. Greg Terjesen tells us about the Tribine—an immense combine–grain cart combination that was designed and built in only 6 months. John Cates of Irrigation Revolution explains his Xtra-X track system, which debuted at Husker Harvest Days 2017. Ashley Anderson, Craig Bell, and Chris Righter tell us about Valley Irrigation’s software platforms, variable rate irrigation systems, and pivot drive systems. We also speak with Bob Gills of Agri-Inject about the potential for expanding the use of chemigation, and we profile Degelman Industries’ line of rock pickers.

Finally, we talk to Jim Wood of the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center about a non-technological kind of innovation. Mr. Wood is taking advantage of new laws to research the potential large-scale development of hemp, marijuana’s nonpsychoactive cousin, in the Imperial Valley of California.

Whether it takes the form of iron in the field or fields of hemp, innovation continues to change the face of irrigation across the United States. We hope that this new issue of Irrigation Leader helps you keep uptodate on the newest developments in the irrigation industry.

Kris Polly is editor-in-chief of Irrigation Leader magazine and president of Water Strategies LLC, a government relations firm he began in February 2009 for the purpose of representing and guiding water, power, and agricultural entities in their dealings with Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other federal government agencies. He may be contacted at Kris.Polly@waterstrategies.com.