The FarmFest field days returned to the Darling Downs this week, with a record first day crowd marking the return of the major three-day event.
Elders FarmFest 2021 kicked off on Tuesday, with more than 20,000 people heading to the Kingsthorpe site.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions caused FarmFest to be called off in 2020, but this year's event has been hailed as a successful comeback, with lengthy queues of traffic throughout the first morning.
ACM Rural Events group manager Kate Nugent said they expected final crowd numbers over the three days to be in the vicinity of 60,000 people.
"There was record first day visitation, upwards of 20,000 people," she said.
"Some years that first day figure can be about 10,000 to 12,000.
"It's an extraordinary return back to business after last year.
"The figures put FarmFest into the top three field days in Australia."
Ms Nugent said importantly for exhibitors, the high visitation numbers were also translating into sales.
"We're seeing through our parcel pick up that there's a lot of tools being sold and we're just hearing reports now of strong farm machinery sales," she said.
"This is the record year on several levels, we've got over 1000 product types and we've got over 2000 companies' brands represented.
"There's been a great crowd and lots of families. The feedback has been outstanding."
Elders state general manager Jamie Brogan said it was exciting to be part of such an important agricultural event.
"Agriculture, I think, is in a great space at the moment," he said.
"There's a lot of innovation and impressive technology and FarmFest gives us a great space to showcase some of these things."
- Read more: Photos from the first day of FarmFest
FarmFest announcer Neale Stuart hit the microphone once again to help guide punters to different attractions on offer.
Mr Stuart said he had been doing the announcing at FarmFest for 28 years and it had been great to see it grow.
"Because we had that year that didn't happen, I think the crowd has come back even stronger and people are keen to have the chance to get together and see what's on offer," he said.
"It's a showcase event and these days there is a real importance of keeping up to speed with ag tech and developments, so you've got to be here."
Victoria Nugent
National sheep and wool writer for ACM's agricultural publications. Former livestock editor for Queensland Country Life. Send your story tips to vnugent@austcommunitymedia.com.au
National sheep and wool writer for ACM's agricultural publications. Former livestock editor for Queensland Country Life. Send your story tips to vnugent@austcommunitymedia.com.au
