Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days managing director Geoff Dein said the event, taking place this year from Thursday, June 28 to Saturday, June 30, has a dynamic that is hard to match.
He said this happens as a result of people connecting with people.
“By all means do your internet surfing, but we’re all aware that it has its limits and cannot replace picking up the a tool to test it, or sitting in the seat of an ATV to see if its right for you,” he said.
He said Ag-Grow is not only about people catching up with one another, and meeting the plethora of suppliers of services and product, “it’s also a great social event on the calendar and which now gives visitors the ability to try and buy before the end of the financial year”.
“We’ve been waiting quietly for decades for another field day event to reschedule to an earlier or later date. Our chance came as a surprise and we jumped at the opportunity.
“Now we have fixed a date before June 30 and the results have been frenetic, visitors are aligning themselves with the local community who make their investments before the end of financial year, and vendors will be holding stocktake sales with very attractive price points, all with the goal of capitalising on the on the tax breaks.”
He said The Woolshed, which was a huge hit with field day guests in 2017, hasn’t stood still either with a new mate being installed, The Comet Windmill.
“It’s an iconic historical part of Australia’s lifestyle and its presence puts you in the mood for a good time.
“It’s weathered to perfection and sets the scene nicely for the weddings and functions we hold on the grounds through the year.”
Mr Dein said nominations for the Ag-Grow Superior Multi-Breed Beef Bull Sale are up this year and that “it’s good to see the industry utilising such a great facility and the occasion to sell their best bulls, and for buyers to source new bloodlines”.
“Stud displays have increased this year as well and that gives us an indication that we’re on the right track.”
He said the the Ag-Grow Premier Invitation Horse Sale will continue to be the regular feature on the Saturday morning.
“Back by popular demand we’ll also have the CH Colt Starting Challenge and Working Cattle Dog Trials and Sale taking place, and for the family’s we’ll have the free KidsZone operating for the youngsters to enjoy.”
Mr Dein said exhibitor numbers in the display area are already packed to capacity.
“We can’t fit any more exhibitors into the display area with this year’s line-up of new products and services, in fact, we’ve been having to knock back nominations.”
He said progress over the last 29 years sprang to mind as the committee set up the grounds for the 2018 event.
“Now we play with drones, back then they were a dream, and we were just getting used to carrying a mobile phone not housed in a suitcase.
“Driverless Tractors were unheard of and LED signage was still in the lab. Plasma cutters? Forget it! We’d only just heard of them.
“We’d heard of GPS but still had to drive the tractor every second. Digital Photography? Never! Kodak was king, and social media was less than a concept.
“So there have been massive changes when you reflect on things, but the Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days are still the best way of staying in touch with that technology, and with each other. They’re genuinely a celebration of rural lifestyles.
“I welcome everyone to Ag-Grow 2018, wish you all safe travels, and the best of luck in getting the best deal possible before tax time.
“I look forward to sharing a few success stories with you all in The Woolshed.
“In closing, I’d like to say a special thank you to our valued sponsors for their continued support each year.”
