Mud covered the shoes of those who walked through the soggy entrance at the opening day of the Farm Progress Show in Amana Tuesday, but that didn’t keep people away from the event.

Though rain dampened the festivities, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for many area farmers, who got a firsthand look into the future of farm technology, from farm equipment to seed hybrids.

“Everything just seems harder when it rains,” said Matt Jungmann, show manager and Iowa State alumnus. “It takes a lot more manpower to keep things running, but this is the best thing that could have happened for my exhibitors.

“There are a lot of farmers here that would have been in the combine if it wouldn’t have rained,” he said.

All of the field demonstrations were canceled for the first day due to rain, but Jungmann said the combines will be in the corn field today, and rganizers plan to have full-field demonstrations running Thursday.

The Iowa State Extension has more than 30 displays and six field plots at the show, including a booth from the College of Agriculture.

“The Farm Progress Show is a great opportunity to contact and receive feedback from thousands of people,” said Wendy Wintersteen, director of ISU Extension to agriculture and natural resources.

All of these displays are housed in the ISU tent, covering subjects such as value-added agriculture, entomology, skin cancer and carbon monoxide awareness.

The newest in farm equipment is not the only type of machinery on display. Many antiques also have spots at the show, representing everything from tractors to water pumps to electric generators.

“I think we have to work hard to keep these older farm items going so younger generations have a chance to see them,” said John Boyens, an antique rebuilder from Bettendorf. “With all the new kinds of equipment, people start to forget about the old stuff.”

The Farm Progress Show will continue through Thursday. Gates are open each day from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.