The three-day event, billed as the third largest indoor ag exhibition in the country, ran from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. Exhibitors and farmers had the chance to share ideas and show off what’s new in agriculture, and coming off a year dominated by headlines of drought, there seemed to be a fair amount of optimism.

“It’s been very upbeat,” said Colton James, territory sales manager with New Holland. “It’s been a really good crowd overall.”

James said farmers have been actively checking out new equipment, with New Holland focused on their new track system that is fully suspended. It will be featured on the model year 2024 combines and all manufactured in-house. James said it is “much better than what we had.”

John Deere integrated solution specialist Eric Mensen said their newer electric transmissions have been a focus for many farmers looking at equipment. The change in the transmission comes as Deere replaced hydrostatic motors and inserted electric motors. Mensen said that makes it more durable, smoother and efficient.

“I think (electric) is what we are moving toward,” Mensen said. “It’s not that it’s not being asked for, but hydrostatic motors couldn’t handle 410 horsepower tractors and the electric motors can. That’s going to let us reach up in to the higher horsepower models.”

Electric was one of the buzz words mentioned at the expo among the different equipment manufacturing vendors. Another was “sustainability,” James said.

“We are hearing that a lot from our customers. They want sustainability, support and just a good, quality product,” he said.

While new equipment often gets the attention and dealers are voicing optimism, there is still trepidation among customers as they look to the future. Ben Sieve, a representative for Fertilizer Dealer Supply from Jesup, Iowa, said equipment is great but inflation and interest rates may be a limiting factor.

“There are good years and bad years,” he said. “I think the big hesitation right now is interest rates. You want to buy top-quality products that you can maintain. But it’s been tougher to plan for.”

For farmers hoping to see their crop bring in more revenue in 2024, there may be good reason for optimism. Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan led a presentation at the expo that discussed the long-term drought seen throughout much of Iowa.

He said with the past three years’ of less-than-average precipitation, many spots are very short on soil moisture, but some winter rains and snow may be helping to alleviate the dry conditions ahead of planting season. There is still a ways to go, he said.

“We haven’t seen a longevity drought like this since 1954,” Glisan said. “If we stay dry, this is really going to test our hybridizations. We are going to need several months if not more than a year of near- or above-normal precipitation to bust the drought.”

Farmers are also showing continued interest in new areas of agriculture, including the continued growth of carbon markets. Clay Craighton, agronomist with Agoro Carbon, said the market has established a good footing.

“Everyone always talked about carbon being the ‘Wild West,’” Craighton said. “... Now I feel like there are still some uncertainties, but we are definitely getting a better foothold for sure. We know more about what practices are going to work and what a farmer or rancher is more apt to do.”